Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., introduced a bill to the U.S. Senate that would require first-time voters who registered with canvassers to show ID at the polls.
If passed, the bill would take effect immediately and cover all people who registered since the Help America Vote Act took effect Jan. 1.
"It's incredibly unfortunate," said James Moore, state director of the New Voters Project. "Not everyone has ID, especially rural and poor voters, as well as young people. They're either trying to keep people from the polls, or they're trying to do a good thing, but don't realize the implications of it."
Domenici's spokesman Chris Gallegos said it would be hard to get the bill passed through Congress given the timing of the legislative session, but the senator is going to "see what legislative avenues are open to move this bill."
"The senator's very concerned and troubled by stories he's hearing not only in New Mexico, but around the country about irregularities and by how some states are interpreting their laws on voter ID requirements," Gallegos said.
Moore said the problem isn't the voter ID requirement. He said the pending state Supreme Court case over identification rules is an 11th-hour maneuver that will keep people from voting.
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The state Supreme Court is set to begin hearing the case on Sept. 27, eight days before voter registration closes. The New Voters Project filed as an intervener in the case.
Gallegos said Domenici doesn't believe the bill will be confusing for voters.
"If there's a simple overriding standard in the nation, if you are a first-time voter, you should be able to show some proof that you are who you are," he said.
UNM student Leslie Duranceaux said she agrees with the measure.
"It's just another safety precaution to make sure there's no corruption," she said. "If someone's going to vote, they are going to vote. Things change, and people have to adapt."
Angel McCarter, another student, said she doesn't mind showing her ID, but new policies should not be instituted this close to the election.
"I think it could confuse and deter people," she said. "People who were planning on voting may not after such short notice."
Moore said the New Voters Project will have an increased presence on campus through Oct. 5.
"College students are renowned for procrastination," he said. "I would hate for someone to decide they want to vote on Oct. 6."
Students can call the Bernalillo County Clerk's Office at 768-4085 if they have not yet received their voter registration card.
