Iowa secretary of state proposes voter ID plan

Secretary of State Matt Schultz is again proposing to require that voters show identification at polling places before they can cast ballots.

Schultz made voter identification the key issue of his 2010 campaign and supported a similar effort last session that failed.

In announcing his proposal Thursday, he acknowledged to not knowing how prevalent voter fraud is in Iowa. But he says it?s important to close potential loopholes.

Others have accused Schultz, a Republican, of supporting voter ID because studies show that students, minorities and low-income people are less likely to have identification. Those groups tend to favor Democrats.

Schultz denied that was his motivation. He says his plan would give people alternatives if they don?t have ID.

The measure would be implemented over two years.