Last Wednesday ASUI senators discussed and voted on serval pieces of legislation including a resolution encouraging Idaho senators to vote against House Bill 124, which would make valid and up-to-date Student ID cards ineligible as a form of identification for voting.
The resolution was debated between senate members, with some in support, and others against. “The students that I am representing want our voting polls to be secure,” Sen. Reynolds, who opposed the resolution, said. “We do want people voting, we do want our students voting, we don’t want to put them away, but I do think there is a positive way of fixing this.”
However, others were not nearly as concerned about the potential for fraud.
“The facts state that voter fraud, in general, is extremely rare, even more so in Idaho,” Sen. Hopavec said. “And there have been no reported cases of voter fraud using student IDs.” After deliberation, the resolution was rejected, with three members voting in favor and seven against.
ASUI also introduced a resolution that would demand the Idaho legislative and executive branches to raise the state minimum wage with the goal of ensuring Idahoans can cover basic living expenses and reduce income inequality for the state. The decision on whether to pass the bill has been moved to next week.
Members of ASUI also introduced a resolution that would urge Idaho Legislators to vote against Idaho House Bill 154, which seeks to criminalize the administration of mRNA vaccines to both individuals and healthcare workers.
Sen. Clemens, who sponsored the resolution, stated: “If we see the virus come to Moscow and spread around again, without the availability of MRNA vaccines, we potentially see another huge outbreak, chancing the safety of our fellow Vandals.”
ASUI President Tanner McClain was also happy to announce the success of the Winter Social. Due to its success, it will become a permanent annual student event. He also discussed the upcoming event: Country Fest, which will be similar to the Winter Social and will take place in August.
Ben DeWitt can be reached at [email protected]