Officials argue over whether stronger ID requirements needed

Aug 4, 12:12 AM EDT

By AMANDA LEE MYERS
Associated Press Writer

PHOENIX (AP) -- Government officials argued Thursday that stronger voter identification is needed to prevent illegal immigrants from casting ballots, while others asserted such a problem doesn't even exist and strengthening voting requirements would only alienate minority voters.

The arguments were part of testimony in front of the U.S. House Committee on House Administration at an immigration field hearing here. The committee held a similar hearing earlier Thursday in New Mexico.

"It is true, of course, that it is illegal for non-citizens to vote in our elections," said Rep. Vernon Ehlers, R-Mich., chairman of the Administration Committee. "But simply making something illegal does not prevent it from happening - if it did, no one under the age of 21 would drink alcohol and no one would rob banks."

Last year, 10 people who were not U.S. citizens were indicted on charges of filing false documents after trying to register to vote, testified Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas.