Updated: Senate Passes Voter ID Bill

updated 1:55 p.m.

The state Senate this morning passed a controversial bill requiring voters to show identification at the polls.

Proponents say the measure will crack down on people voting illegally. Others argue it will make it too difficult for some residents, especially college students and minorities, to cast a ballot.

The measure passed the Senate 19-5 in another chaotic vote, with some Democrats not voting as they argued over the proceedings. Watch a video of the vote here.

Oak Creek's state Sen. Chris Larson has been a vocal critic of the proposal but it was not immediately known whether he was one of the senators who didn't vote - even his office did not have an answer. 

(Update: Larson's office says he was one of the eight Democrats who did not vote on the bill.)

Shortly after the vote, Larson tweeted, "Republicans broke their own rules, stampeding over the minority to pass a bill that breaks the constitution & stampedes minorities." He later released a statement criticizing the cost of the implementing the legislation and said it creates "extra hurdles" for people to participate in democracy.

Oak Creek's state representative, Republican Mark Honadel, voted for the bill in the Assembly.

Gov. Scott Walker, who will sign the bill next week, released a statement applauding the Legislature's action. 

“Protecting the integrity of our elections is central to ensuring our government has the full faith and confidence of the citizens it represents,” Walker said. “Requiring photo identification to vote will go a long way to eliminate the threat of voter fraud. If you need an ID to buy cold medicine, it’s reasonable to require it to vote. I would like to thank Senator (Joe) Leibham and Representative (Jeff) Stone for their years of leadership on this common sense piece of legislation.”