At the link.  An update in Rhode Island on the staggered implementation of voter ID.  While the article states that RI now requires voters to have photo ID, the actual legislation allows other non-photo documentation to be accepted until 2014 where the photo ID requirements is fully implemented.   

One of the senior Black Americans in Rhode Island, Senator Metts, commented:

As a minority citizen and a senior citizen I would not support anything that I thought would present obstacles or limit protections,” said Senator Metts. “While I’m sensitive to the concerns raised, at this point I am more interested in… stopping voter fraud. Hesitation based on potential ramifications of what may or may not happen at the expense of the integrity of the system is no longer an option.”

Governor Lincoln Chafee, no hardcore conservative stated:

After signing the new legislation, Chafee defended his stance, stating that he “met with a number of experts on both sides to discuss this complex issue,” and “spoke with representatives of our state’s minority communities… [finding] their concerns about voter fraud and their support for this bill particularly compelling.”