The Pros And Cons Of Voter Identification Laws
Voter identification laws has been a controversial issue on whether or not it should be implemented in every state in America. 34 states have passed laws that required voters who registered to show a photo identification issued by the government before voting. This leaves only 16 states that do not require voters to have photo identification. The whole purpose of voter identification was to stop people from impersonating other people and fraud, but some people believe that voter identification can create barriers for people to vote or can cause people to not vote at all. As a result, voter identification can be looked as a just law making voting as honest as it can be or a way to prevent people from voting. Voter Identification laws where
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It can also cause potential voters to not vote at all because of the burdensome steps to obtaining and ID. Voter identification usually requires several documents such as a birth certificate which cost money. Many people oppose voter photo identification because it creates problems for the low income people, the disabled, the elderly, and the minorities who are eligible voters but require identification. The process of getting a photo identification can take a long time and can be tough for the elderly. “a wait of four hours for one 95-year-old. “It was so hard on them,” says Immaculate Heart of MarySister Margaret Gannon, 87. “Many of them have diabetes and arthritis” ( Hannun pg.18). Everyone should be able to understand that old people are fragile and cannot wait that long especially with sicknesses. With voter identification in place, it can be a great obstacle for minorities to vote due to suppression just like when the African Americans’ votes were suppresses by the Southern Whites. ““This is not a small thing; it’s an attempt to suppress the minority vote coming at a time when we have a much more diverse country.” (Hannun pg.19). the disenfranchisement of minorities specifically African Americans usually occur in the southern states of America. Another group of people who are affected are the poor people who simply cannot get to the election or cannot afford certain documents such as a birth certificate if they had lost it. Disabled people would have a difficult time retrieving a Voter photo identificaton. The hardship of voter identification laws in some states with stricter voter laws show a reduction in voter turnout. “Studies to this point suggest that voter-ID requirements may reduce voter turnout by 2-3 percentage points”( Sobel pg. 81) Although it may seem a small reduction, voting is an important factor in a
It can also cause potential voters to not vote at all because of the burdensome steps to obtaining and ID. Voter identification usually requires several documents such as a birth certificate which cost money. Many people oppose voter photo identification because it creates problems for the low income people, the disabled, the elderly, and the minorities who are eligible voters but require identification. The process of getting a photo identification can take a long time and can be tough for the elderly. “a wait of four hours for one 95-year-old. “It was so hard on them,” says Immaculate Heart of MarySister Margaret Gannon, 87. “Many of them have diabetes and arthritis” ( Hannun pg.18). Everyone should be able to understand that old people are fragile and cannot wait that long especially with sicknesses. With voter identification in place, it can be a great obstacle for minorities to vote due to suppression just like when the African Americans’ votes were suppresses by the Southern Whites. ““This is not a small thing; it’s an attempt to suppress the minority vote coming at a time when we have a much more diverse country.” (Hannun pg.19). the disenfranchisement of minorities specifically African Americans usually occur in the southern states of America. Another group of people who are affected are the poor people who simply cannot get to the election or cannot afford certain documents such as a birth certificate if they had lost it. Disabled people would have a difficult time retrieving a Voter photo identificaton. The hardship of voter identification laws in some states with stricter voter laws show a reduction in voter turnout. “Studies to this point suggest that voter-ID requirements may reduce voter turnout by 2-3 percentage points”( Sobel pg. 81) Although it may seem a small reduction, voting is an important factor in a