Kentucky governor vetoes voter ID bill

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday vetoed a bill pushed by Republican lawmakers to require Kentucky residents to show a government-issued photo ID in order to vote.

In his veto message, the governor said the measure would create an obstacle to voting, resulting in fewer people casting ballots and "undermining our democracy."

Beshear said the bill seeks to "resolve a problem that does not exist" because voter impersonation isn't a problem in Kentucky.

The measure passed the Senate and House by wide margins. The legislature is scheduled to reconvene April 13. Secretary of State Michael Adams urged lawmakers to override the veto.

"I ask the legislators of both parties who believe in election integrity and passed this law to override this regrettable veto, and I hope the governor will eventually join me in governing from the center," Adams said.

The bill would require voters to produce a photo ID when voting, with limited exceptions, starting with the November election.

People lacking their photo ID at the polls could vote by provisional ballot and later produce that ID to enable their ballot to be counted. Or voters could cast their ballots if recognized by an election officer, who would have to sign a document affirming to knowing the voter.

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