Iowa House Republicans are moving forward with a controversial proposal that would require Iowa voters to show photo identification at polling places.
Lawmakers in the state government committee approved the legislation in a 12-8 vote Thursday. The measure is backed by Secretary of State Matt Schultz, who has filed identical bills in the House and Senate.
Schultz, a Republican, has made voter ID one of his key issues. GOP lawmakers largely support him, saying identification is needed to prevent fraud. Democrats say there is little fraud and claim Republicans want to discourage voting by minorities and the elderly, who are more likely to be Democrats.
Republicans tried and failed to approve a photo identification law last year. The bill will now move on to a vote from the full House.
