Voter ID Requirements: A Tool for Voter Suppression or Security?

It is undeniably clear that strict voting laws, including ID requirements, mail ballot restrictions, and limited polling places, can make it more difficult to vote. For every case of alleged voter fraud, there are tens of thousands of cases of voter suppression. Among these perpetrators, republicans are consistently identified.

There is no ratio that would make voter suppression an acceptable practice. The right to vote is the fundamental right in our democracy. Literacy requirements, poll taxes, voter ID laws, closing down polling places, requiring a physical address, and extreme gerrymandering—these practices, and more, are all used to make it difficult to vote or to minimize the effectiveness of a vote.

New York’s Experience

I live in New York, and yesterday, I voted without any issue. I did not have to show a photo ID; I only had to state my name, registered address, and sign my name when requested. Had I needed a photo ID, it would have been a significant challenge to obtain one. New York DMV offices close at 5:00 PM and are not open on weekends. Additionally, you need to show a Social Security card. If you have lost your card, traveling to the Social Security office, which is 45 minutes away and closes at 4:30 PM, would be further complicated. Even with a good car and time off from work, it’s a daunting task.

Now imagine being an elderly citizen in rural Alabama, where the state recently introduced stringent voter ID laws. If you’ve never had a driver’s license, you are now required to get one. However, the DMV offices in your county are closed, and you have to pay to obtain the ID. These barriers are unacceptable and purely discriminatory against those who would otherwise vote.

Challenges and Solutions

Some argue that strict voting laws, such as those requiring photo IDs, do not deter qualified voters from voting. However, this argument fails to recognize the real-world challenges faced by many voters, particularly in underserved and marginalized communities.

Mail-in ballots, on the other hand, have made it much more convenient and accessible for anyone to vote. The ease of use, accessibility, and reliability of the United States Postal Service (which is explicitly provided for in the US Constitution) make it a superior method for delivering VALID PAPER ballots to voters. Replacing the use of the USPS with digital voting systems is simply an inferior alternative.

The penalties for interfering in or manipulating elections should be significantly stiffer than they currently are. Voter suppression and fraud are not just ethical issues; they are crimes that undermine the integrity of our democracy.

In conclusion, as we strive to create a truly representative government, it is essential to ensure that all citizens have the opportunity to vote. Those who are not informed enough to vote will not be swayed by our civic education efforts, but the majority will. We must work towards a system that prioritizes the convenience and accessibility of voting, rather than creating unnecessary barriers.