Alabama House passes bill prohibiting use of foreign national IDs to vote

The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that prohibits people from using a foreign national drivers license or ID to vote in Alabama elections.

Sponsor of  HB 480, Rep. Alan Treadaway, R-Morris, said he has heard of people using one of these IDs to vote in Alabama elections. Treadaway did not say where or how many.

“My understanding is there’s been some confusion at the polling places,” he said.

People from foreign countries with legal status in the country may apply for driver’s licenses or IDs from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency but are not authorized to vote.

House Democrats criticized the legislation saying it is unnecessary. Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham, prodded Treadaway for proof that this has happened.

“I would like to know where it happens and how frequently it happens before we jump into this,” Moore said.

Rep. Laura Hall, D-Mobile, questioned the need for a law if the ID is not on the list of approved photo-IDs to vote.

“If it’s not one of them, why do we need a bill? It’s already not one of the ones you can use to vote,” Hall said.

Treadaway said the IDs have caused confusion at polling locations and the bill would clarify that one could not be used in order to vote. 

“If they have, or haven’t been used, this bill simply says they cannot be used unless they get their U.S. citizenship,” he said.

The bill passed 76-5, with 21 abstentions. It goes to the Senate.