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Rebekah Clark

Professor Moore

English 1301

25 March 2018

Voter Identification Laws in America

Voter identification laws stipulate that any person who has the intention to vote must pro-

vide some tangible form of identification in order to register to vote, to receive a ballot, and to

actually cast a vote in a local, state, or national election. According to the National Conference of

State Legislature, there are currently thirty-four states that require voters to have some form of

identification at the polls (NCLS). Of these thirty-four states, there are only nine that have strict

voter ID laws, requiring voters to physically show their ID. Some people believe that voter iden-

tification laws are racially motivated and are hurting minority rights. However, others believe

that these laws protect voter’s rights and guard against voter fraud. These laws have become

quite a controversy over the years, especially in light of accusations of voter fraud during the

2016 presidential election, between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

Those who believe that Voter Identification laws are racist and keep minorities from hav-

ing the same rights as others are against the voter identification laws for a number of reasons.

For one, minorities usually seem to lack any government-issued form of photo ID, usually up to

25%, whereas only 8% of non-minorities lack the proper identification (ACLU). In addition to

the fees that are in place, the substantial amount of time it takes at a busy government facility, to

wait on processing, increases the difficulty in attaining the proper identification for many people.

Those most likely lacking a form of identification tend to be students, minorities, the elderly, and
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the disabled. Opposers of this law say that some states exclude several forms of ID in a discrimi-

natory manner. They believe that voter ID laws tend to reduce voter turnout among minority

groups.“These laws are not good-faith efforts to prevent voter fraud, but rather are politically

motivated attempts to affect the outcome of elections by making it more difficult for certain peo-

ple to vote.” (Milford) Another reason is that some people see this law as a poll tax in disguise,

making it difficult or nearly impossible for certain groups of people to exercise their right to

vote.They say that by having this law, the government is creating elections that do not support

fair or free elections. Opponents also use the argument that very few reports of voter fraud are

discovered, discrediting the argument that voter fraud exists.

On the other side of the controversy, are those which believe that voter identification

laws are necessary and provide stability within the government. “Ensuring that a voter is who she

says she is essential to the democratic process”(Milford). That is one argument in support of the

Voter ID law. It prevents people that are not yet of age from being able to vote. It also aids in the

argument that it is a way to prevent voter fraud. Although there has not been an exceptional

amount voter fraud cases discovered, this does not mean that voter fraud is not occurring. Many

people will admit that they often break the law by exceeding the speed limit. A significant num-

ber of these same people will proudly say that they have never been caught speeding. Just be-

cause a crime is not discovered does not mean it is not occurring. Because voters are expected to

show some form of photo ID, one person will not be able to vote multiple times by using the

names of other registered voters, or even deceased persons, and it will prevent non-citizens from

being able to vote. People in favor of this law believe that requiring voters to show an approved

photo ID supports fair and free elections.

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The voter identification laws that require some form of photo identification to be pre-

sented before voting, is one of the most discussed controversies during the election season. Vot-

ing is one of the most basic rights protected by the Constitution and is something that must be

strongly protected. Because of the opposition of views regarding the voter ID law, several states

have been working effortlessly to address both sides of the controversy. State Legislatures have

been meeting in hopes to resolve the concern. As discussed, there are some who view this law as

racially motivated and discriminatory against minorities. Others, believe that these laws protect

voter’s rights and guard against voter fraud. Until the State Legislatures find a way to protect

voter’s rights, provide an easy way to obtain a photo ID, and solve the issue with voter fraud,

this topic will remain controversial.

Works Cited

MILFORD, SEAN. "Photo Identification at the Ballot: Election Protection or

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Voter Suppression?." Missouri Law Review, vol. 80, no. 1, Winter2015, pp. 297-312. EB-

SCOhost. Accessed 5 February 2018

“Oppose Voter ID Legislation - Fact Sheet.” American Civil Liberties Union, Robert Hoffman,

May 2017, www.aclu.org/other/oppose-voter-id-legislation-fact-sheet?redirect=oppose-

voter-id-legislation-fact-sheet. Accessed 21 March 2018

Voter Identification Requirements , Wendy Underhill , 5 Jan. 2018, www.ncsl.org/

researchelections-and-campaigns/voter-id.aspx. Accessed 7 March 2018

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