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Thesmall town of Cimarron held an election Tuesday and the rest of the state was watching. The ballot issue was a tax increase to fund a new swimming pool. The issue isn't why people were curious, instead it was the first test of the state's new voter ID law.
Voters now have to show an ID in order to cast a ballot. Election officials put up signs all over the polling place, reminding voters of the new requirement. Gray County clerk Bonnie Swartz says she didn't hear any complaints. She says people actually liked the new law. "I think it really makes sense. it adds a sense of accountability. I mean, I'm here, I'm voting for me and so I think it's a good thing," Daniel Berg said.
There are 1,200 registered voters in Cimarron. The city expected a 30-40% turnout.
Secretary of State Kris Kobach was in Gray County to observe the vote. He's the one who urged lawmakers to pass the law last year. He says since 1997 the state has had 260 reports of voter fraud incidents.
Next year, in 2013 the other part of the new election law goes into effect. That will require people to show a proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Some lawmakers have shown interest in moving that date up, but no such legislation has been introduced.