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Hobbs Residents Approve Voter ID Measure

HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — Residents in a southeastern New Mexico city have overwhelmingly approved a measure to require a photo ID to vote in municipal elections.

About 78 percent of voters in a special election Tuesday decided to amend the city charter to require residents to present photo identification at polling places.

Hobbs is the latest battleground over requiring strict identification to cast ballots.

Supporters say the measure would help eliminate potential in-person voter impersonation and increase public confidence in elections.

Civil rights groups argue that voter ID measures disproportionately affect blacks, Latinos, senior citizens and the poor by unduly restricting voting and imposing unnecessary costs.

The election arrives on the heels of a Lea County record-low turnout in November's midterm elections.