Voter ID

Carding Democracy

In recent years, more and more states—fueled by exaggerated fears of fraudulent voting—have enacted laws requiring that a voter present photographic identification at the polls.

Voter_ID

Although details of the laws vary, they all deter otherwise-eligible voters from going to the polls. Those hit hardest are the same groups traditionally marginalized in our election process: African Americans, Spanish speakers, low-income individuals, disabled voters, and youth.

The stated rationale for the measures—preventing voter fraud—is baseless. Photo ID laws prevent only one kind of voter fraud: impersonation at the polling place, in which an individual poses as a particular eligible voter and votes as that person. This sort of voter fraud is extremely rare.

The impact of this “solution” to the phantom problem of voter impersonation is not trifling; millions of dollars must be devoted to implementation, free IDs, and voter education. While photo ID exacts a steep financial cost, disenfranchising our most vulnerable citizens takes an incalculable toll on democracy.

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Voter Suppression Laws Most Likely Pass Where Minority Turnout Is High, Says Report

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There may be a correlation between high minority voter turnout and the passage of restrictive voting laws, according to a... Read more

Voter Fraud Probe Yields Few Cases

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Yet another state’s voter fraud investigation resulted in little evidence of criminal activity. Read more

State voter ID laws snare women with name changes

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Voter ID laws may create problems for women who have changed their names after marriage or divorce. Read more

Texas Voters Endure Hurdles to Obtain ID, Vote

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Texas’ controversial voter ID law went into effect on Monday and has already raised some hackles about its discriminatory impact... Read more

Voter ID and Same-Day Registration Laws Affect Youth Participation, Says Report

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A new report by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement examines challenges to youth voter... Read more

North Carolina Governor Signs Voter Suppression Law

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Today, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed one of the nation’s most sweeping voter suppression laws. Read more

North Carolina H.B. 589: Putting Up Barriers for Voters Who Move

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This week, the North Carolina General Assembly presented to Governor McCrory House Bill No. 589, an omnibus election administration bill... Read more

Voter Suppression Bill to Be Heard in N.C. Senate

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Today, an exhaustingly restrictive election bill is being debated by the North Carolina Senate Rules Committee. Initially a strict voter... Read more

Voting Rights Act Ruling a Setback for Our Great Democracy

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Today’s ruling is a significant setback for voting rights in our great democracy. The Voting Rights Act remains one of the most important achievements of the civil rights movement, and for almost 50 years has been a vital tool to protect real voters from losing their right to cast a ballot.  Read more

Poll finds N.C. Voters Favor Alternative to Voter ID

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The voter ID debate is typically divided along party lines with one side saying it is needed to prevent voter... Read more