Arkansas Senate approves voter-ID legislation

— The Arkansas Senate has approved a proposal to require voters to show photo identification before they can cast a ballot.

The Senate on Wednesday approved the voter ID legislation on a 23-12 vote. The measure now heads to the House.

Poll workers are currently required to ask for identification, but voters don't have to show it in order to cast a ballot.

The proposal from Republican Sen. Bryan King of Green Forest wouldn't take effect until there's funding in place for the state to provide IDs free of charge to voters who don't drivers licenses. It also would exempt voters who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

Opponents have questioned the cost to the state of the requirement and whether it's aimed at disenfranchising voters.

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