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�����Ƶ�What this bill seeks to prevent is voter fraud of any kind to the extent that it�����Ƶ�s able,�����Ƶ� said Del. J.B. Akers, R-Kanawha, who said the Secretary of State�����Ƶ�s office said people have voted illegally with a photo ID. �����Ƶ�We did hear that,�����Ƶ� he said.

The measure, sponsored by Del. Erica Moore, R-Roane, passed the House with a of 84-8. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

It�����Ƶ�s one of this session, some supported by Secretary of State Kris Warner, that Republicans say are in order to protect election integrity. House Democrats say conspiracy theories have driven the measures that could keep people from accessing the polls.

West Virginia has . Opponents of this legislation worry that it will make it difficult, particularly for older West Virginians and those who don�����Ƶ�t drive or lack access to the internet, to vote in the state.

�����Ƶ�No evidence exists that a photo voter ID requirement would address any problem. Like non-citizens voting, voter impersonation is virtually nonexistent,�����Ƶ� the West Virginia Citizens Action group in a statement.

Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, emphasized that the state already has voter ID laws.

�����Ƶ�We haven�����Ƶ�t had any issues,�����Ƶ� he said. �����Ƶ�I think this is likely to disenfranchise some of our older members of our society, and for what? We�����Ƶ�re preventing a problem that�����Ƶ�s not taking place.�����Ƶ�

Bill supporters said West Virginia voters will still have options for proving identification on election days, including a voter registration card with a photo that can be obtained free of charge from a county clerk�����Ƶ�s office. A resident must request this option.

�����Ƶ�This bill clarifies that if you request a voter ID from the Secretary of State, it is free of charge,�����Ƶ� Akers said.

Del. Gary Howell, R-Mineral, added, �����Ƶ�There is no excuse not to have a photo voter registration card, which is a photo ID that can be used to vote, and it secures our election.�����Ƶ�

The measure permits voters 65 and older to use an expired ID, including an expired driver�����Ƶ�s license, as long as it was valid on their 65th birthday. Additionally, poll workers may allow a voter, whom the poll worker has known for at least six months, to vote without presenting a valid ID.

Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, said the bill would result in fewer legal West Virginians voting in-person on Election Day or during early in-person voting.

�����Ƶ�Now, the Republican supermajority is �����Ƶ� turning their attention to in-person voting,�����Ƶ� he said. �����Ƶ�Fewer votes will be cast.�����Ƶ�

�����Ƶ�This is one of a series of bills that restricts West Virginians�����Ƶ� access to vote,�����Ƶ� Hansen continued. �����Ƶ�We should be passing bills that actually expand people�����Ƶ�s right to the ballot and not restrict it.�����Ƶ�

Akers said that if people can�����Ƶ�t access a photo ID, they can vote using an absentee ballot without a photo ID.

�����Ƶ�The ability to vote is not minimized at all,�����Ƶ� he said.

The House already passed , which would prohibit people from mailing or handing out more than 10 absentee ballot applications to people who did not ask for them, including people who may hand out the applications in nursing homes.

It would also change how the state handles absentee ballots, including setting a deadline of 7:30 p.m. on Election Day for absentee ballots to be received.