WSET.com - ABC13Protestors Against Proposed Voter Bills

Reporter: Heather Rosenbaum | Videographer: RJ Burnette

Martinsville, VA -- Nearly two dozen people gathered in protest over voter rights Tuesday in Martinsville. They met outside of the Municipal building trying to get their word to Gov.McDonnell.

They protested to vote against Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 9, which would require a voter to present identification or they would have to cast a provisional ballot.

"That was one of the first things they taught us, to always vote ever since I was 18, each election," says James Wilson, a protestor.

Each year every single election, James Wilson's mother casts her vote.

"She's 89 and I don't think she has a birth certificate and trying to go through the red tape, go through Richmond or go online and get all the information and get it done, and it's going to make it difficult for her to have to vote," said Wilson.

But without an ID and tight finances, Wilson's mother may not be able to continue her civic duty. So Wilson joined 22 others to stand up for those rights, together making dozens of calls to the Governor's office.

"You do not have the right to take the vote away from anybody. And it's just an abomination," said Naomi Hodge-Muse, a protestor.

They say these bills will hurt some groups harder than others.

"As far as minorities, students, and seniors it makes it difficult for them to be able to cast their votes," says Bill Price, a protestor.

But the protestors agree these bills should bother everyone.

"They are hurting just as many poor Republicans as they are poor Democrats. This is ridiculous. This is our unalienable right," said Hodge-Muse.

"For her it's taking away a right and a privilege to vote. It's a right and a privilege. And it's hurting to senior citizens that they won't have that right to vote," said Wilson.

Both the Senate and House bills have passed and have been sent over to the other chamber where they're in committees now. Representatives from McDonnell's office said he has not yet taken a stand on this legislation, and he will review it if it passes the General Assembly.