From what I understand, in all states where Republicans control legislatures, they are proposing Photo ID laws. While the bills are not identical, they seek to combat "voter fraud" by requiring a photo ID when the voter shows up to vote. The proposed legislation proides for free IDs for those that don't have them, in order to keep the Photo ID requirement from being a poll tax.
I live in Minnesota and have spent a lot of time and effort opposing the proposed legislation. Minnesota has consistently led the US in voter turnout, in part because registration at the polls is allowed and residents can register by being vouched for by a registered voter. Vouching will go away if the Republican legislation is approved. Minnesota has a Republican legislature (both houses) for the first time in 40 years, however Mark Dayton is governor.
The news today is that the Republicans are winning the PR war in Minnesota. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, 80% of Minnesotans favor Photo ID. This is significant because Republicans have stated if Dayton vetoes a Photo ID law, they will submit the legislation to be approved as a constitutional amendment. If anywhere close to 80% actually agree with the Republican plan, it will be passed in the 2012 general election and be part of the state constitution.
While I don't think Photo ID legislation makes it impossible to win for Democrats, I think it tilts the landscape another couple of degrees in Republicans favor. It is a means to legally suppress the vote, which I believe is the real goal. Republicans know that the lower the turnout (generally) the better it is for their candidates. To do this by passing a law is a real win for them and a real loss for those of us that want to see as many legal voters as possible at the polls. It also validates Republican claims of voter fraud, which is a real red herring, at least here in Minnesota. Republicans were really stung when Al Franken won the '08 Senate election after a recount and the fringes shouted "voter fraud" at the top of their lungs. To see a law pass that in some respect validates their sore-loser whining almost makes me ill.
I expect that Photo ID bills will pass in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida and be signed by their right-wing governors. I now believe that Dayton's best political strategy may be to sign a Phto ID bill and hope that the next legislature will repeal it. I think that those of us that believe in maximum enfranchisement and free, fair, and open elections should mobilize to combat the subtle suppression of the vote which springs from the Photo ID legislation.