On Thursday Republican lawmakers introduced the Vaccine Passport and Voter ID Harmonization Act, legislation requiring states that mandate vaccine passports to also mandate voter ID requirements.
The bill was introduced by Kevin Cramer of North Dakota in the Senate and Nancy Mace of South Carolina in the House, “requiring states and local jurisdictions that institute vaccine passports to require voter identification in federal elections.”
Cramer said in a statement, “It makes no sense for Democrats to adamantly oppose common-sense Voter ID policies which protect the integrity of our elections,”
“If they’re comfortable making people show their private medical records to simply go to a restaurant, they should be fine having people prove they are who they say they are before they vote,” he continued, “Our legislation shines a light on their hypocrisy.”
The legislation comes in answer to more U.S officials and institutions requiring vaccines and vaccine passports.
On Wednesday Democratic California Gov Gavin Newsom along with the California Department of Health announced that California educators must present a vaccine record card to teach in a classroom.
In a statement, Mace said, “Showing an ID is something we must do in everyday life. We need an ID when we get a job, cash our paychecks, rent an apartment, buy a car, buy alcohol, or even cold medicine. States who mandate vaccine passports should be just as rigorous when it comes to something as important as protecting the right to vote.”
At least 20 states have banned vaccine passport requirements, through either legislation or executive actions. In May, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that bans such requirements and allows the governor to “invalidate a local emergency order if it unnecessarily restricts individual rights or liberties.”
“In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccinations will be protected and no business or government entity will be able to deny you services based on your decision,” DeSantis said.
