Agawam City Council passes voter ID resolution

AGAWAM — Twenty-nine people took turns speaking for more than an hour and a half on June 15 about a City Council resolution to support “reasonable voter identification requirements” at both the state and federal levels.

The resolution, sponsored by City Councilors George Bitzas and Dino Mercadante, and co-sponsored by Councilors Peter McNair, Cecilia Calabrese, Ed Borgatti and Anthony Suffriti, was opposed by about as many people as those who supported it.

Opponents said the resolution was vague, not specifying what types of IDs it supported or citing any bill in the Legislature or Congress. Others said there was such a small amount of voter fraud that ID laws were unnecessary. Further, many said voter ID requirements disenfranchised people who could not easily obtain one because of the cost, distance to travel, a disability or impairment. Several people said voter ID requirements were designed to limit the ability to vote by people of marginalized communities and said the resolution was an attempt to align Agawam with President Donald Trump’s political position.

The resolution’s supporters stated that voter fraud was an issue. They said voter ID laws would keep non-citizens from voting and increase trust in elections. Speakers said they were “unsettled” that they were not asked for ID at the poll. Dozens of speakers said people are required to show ID to do everything from buying alcohol to registering for a doctor’s appointment.

“A voter ID is not going to discourage people from voting,” said Mercadante. He said there are plenty of types of identification, including student IDs and passports. The Department of Transitional Assistance will work with organizations to help people obtain identification, he said, declaring, “There is no excuse for not having an identification card.”

While supporters had listed actions people can take to get an ID, Councilor Christine Rickmon said, “Those are barriers that people have to overcome.” She also countered a statistic cited by supporters at the podium and on the council that 80% of Americans support voter ID requirements. She said a study by David Wilson at the University of Delaware showed that most people who already had an ID supported the proposed requirement because “the law feels costless and commonsensical.” However, she quoted, “The moment people learned what it actually cost, support collapsed.” She noted that it is not just about the monetary cost of the ID, but also the financial and time cost of traveling to get one and the paperwork involved.

Councilor Tom Hendrickson said he would not support the resolution because it was too vague. He said no legislation was cited to support, and various states have different requirements. Also, as an example of how a valid voter could hurt by such a law, he said seniors who no longer drive may not realize their license or state ID has expired. They might try to vote “and now they’re disenfranchised,” he said.

Councilor Robert Rossi defied everyone in the room to cite “documented evidence of fraud that could turn over any vote that was ever taken in this country to date.” He said some current councilors had voted against allowing mail-in ballots in Agawam, and described that as being “disenfranchised.” He said 3 billion mail-in ballots were investigated between 2014 and 2020, and evidence of fraud was found in only 31 instances.

Rossi also said the role of the council is to decide the fate of Agawam, and since the city clerk was not in the room supporting the resolution, “he obviously thinks we don’t have a problem.”

As proof that voter fraud happens, Borgatti said a supporter once told him that she had sent her mother to vote for her because she did not have time. “She thought nothing of it. She didn’t think she did anything wrong,” he said.

City Council President Anthony Russo handed off the gavel to comment on the item. He said there must be a compromise that both sides can agree on. Regarding the cost, he said, “Simple solution: give a free ID.” Because some people in the Hilltowns live far from a Registry of Motor Vehicles location, he asked rhetorically, “Why can’t the state give each town hall an ID machine?” He said the machines can make an ID in “30 seconds.” Some municipalities allow people who do not have an ID to sign an affidavit, instead.

“The reality is that this ain’t ever going to be a law,” because there is not enough support in the Legislature, Russo said. “I’ll vote yes for the resolution. But if there ever is legislation and it’s not a fair one, I’ll do a resolution to condemn that legislation.”

McNair disagreed with Russo that the resolution would not accomplish anything. He said, “I think it’s a time for all of us to think about our values, where we’re going, our conservative values. I think it’s very worthwhile.”

The resolution was approved 7-4, with Hendrickson, Rickmon, Rossi and Councilor Rosemary Sandlin dissenting.