Reply #76: Requiring ID [View All]

[Apollo11]

I actually agree with you.

What's most important is making sure that everyone has the right to vote.

It's outrageous that some states won't allow ex-Felons to vote (after they have served their sentences).

If the government can find a simple and accessible way to provide free photo-ID to folks who don't already have it, then I don't have any objection in principle to requiring voters to produce photo-ID.

Most adults already have a drivers licence and/or passport.

Historically, it has happened in the US and other countries that some people have showed up to vote only to find that someone else already voted using their name. But I couldn't cite you any recent cases.

Obviously - if photo-ID is not required, then anyone can show up at the polls, give my name, and vote "on my behalf". Or they can vote on behalf of someone who recently died. There is potential for fraud and so I'm not going to say that it's crazy to suggest requiring voters to produce photo-ID.

The problem is that there are many people (mostly poor) who are US citizens but don't have photo ID. They should not be expected to pay for the privilege of exercising their right to vote.