Voter Identification Laws

Words: 1450
Pages: 6
Open Document
Voter Identification Laws
When it comes to voter fraud, most of us will readily agree that it is a problem. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of the requirement of presentation of a government issued identification when voting. Whereas some are convinced that voter identification would increase the accuracy of the vote, others maintain that requiring a voting ID would lessen the voter outcome because some people don’t have a government issued identification. Some critics of voter ID laws contend that Republicans are pushing for voter identification measures because the people most affected by these measures, including the elderly, college students, minorities, and the disabled, are likely to vote democrat. (Issues …show more content…
This is not a republican vs. democrat issue. Voter fraud is an issue that occurs on both sides and needs to be taken out. "I think that party leaders have tried to make this a Republican versus Democrat issue. It's not. It's simply a good government issue." (Gramlich, Brien) Several polls show that voter ID laws are favored by the large majority of people. Both republicans and democrats can stand behind these laws. Although not everyone has a government issued identification, 90% of voters do own one. (Issues and Controversies, Eagle) Almost all forms of ID allow people to be able to vote and anyone who is a legal voter of the United States is able to get an ID so there shouldn’t be the …show more content…
On the one hand, it is argued that the requirement of a voter ID will only be beneficial to republicans because the people without a voter ID are mostly those who will likely vote democrat. On the other hand, others contend that the requirement of voter ID will benefit both Republicans and Democrats because voter fraud occurs on both sides. My own view is that voter fraud could be brought to much lower levels if the government required voter ID’s because it is much more difficult to commit voter fraud if a photo identification had to be presented when voting. This would prevent people from voting multiple times in place of other people. The majority of American voters, including those from minorities, agree that the government should put voter ID laws into place and they believe that it would greatly decrease voter fraud. (Kobach) Voter fraud exists everywhere and isn’t a small problem. It can be the difference of a win or a loss in a close election. 90% of eligible voters have a government issued voting ID. (Issues and Controversies, Eagle) And it is possible for any eligible voter in the US to get a government issued ID so if they were really passionate about voting, they could get an ID and vote legally. The turnout of voters could decrease but it would affect republicans and democrats equally. With these laws, the results of
Show More

Related Documents: Voter Identification Laws

The Pros And Cons Of Voter Identification Laws

new voter identification laws. Critics are debating whether or not voting in the U.S. is a right or a privilege. The sole purpose of photo ID requirements laws are to be enacted in order to eschew fraudulent votes. However, minorities such as the elderly and the poor are not given the chance to vote just because lack the required photo ID. Voter IDs are simply unnecessary. It’s a tactic to keep certain voters from polls. A variety of studies found that voter fraud is the result of a voter making…

Words 557 - Pages 3

The Pros And Cons Of Voting Laws

Voting laws have become a serious issue in the United States over the last two centuries. Abraham Lincoln was one of the first presidents to begin to make advancements in reference to voting laws. The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, also known as the Reconstruction amendments, were adopted during the late 1860s. They promoted the suffrage of all male citizens regardless of class or race (Foner). Almost 50 years later during the 1920s, female suffrage was finally granted to all American women when…

Words 1320 - Pages 6

Essay about Pol 201 Week 5 Bd

WEEK 5 DISCUSSION 1 Political parties mobilize voters to win elections and implement policy goals. Parties use their stated policy goals (i.e., their platforms) as a way to mobilize voter support. Generally, in order to be successful in a two-party system, parties must have policy goals across a broad range of issue areas to appeal to a broad range of voters. For this discussion, you will identify one issue area that you want investigate. Use the resources required for this discussion to gather…

Words 1392 - Pages 6

Three Perspectives: Functionalist, Conflict, Symbolic Interaction

3 Perspectives Assignment Using the 3 Perspectives (Functionalist, Conflict, Symbolic Interaction), discuss what each "type" of theorist would find interesting in the topic of "American patriotism." This video may exhibit one aspect of this issue: www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/politics/2012/06/27/orig-jtb-red-chair-lee-greenwood.cnn.html (CONFIRM THAT THIS IS THE TOPIC TO WRITE ON) The details of the story are not important—do not spend much time summarizing the issue. Concern yourself with…

Words 1574 - Pages 7

Essay On Slavery In Texas

Many Republicans believe that it’s necessary in order to prevent voter fraud. Democrats, in contrast, have argued that evidence of voter fraud is minimal and that the law will make it harder for low-income persons, students, and the elderly to vote. In Jim Wright’s case he didn’t have a valid driver’s license so he brought another form of identification in this case his work ID and his expired driver’s license. That wasn’t enough and he was turned down. Many…

Words 1376 - Pages 6

Voter Identification Essay

fitting the typical voter persona, states grant citizens many exceptions to accommodate to their needs. For example, a homeless individual can easily provide documents needed to obtain a voter ID by contacting a homeless shelter or other organizations in their community (Tokaji). For other people who do not have any form of identification, one can easily be obtained as Michael stated earlier. According to Mrs. Lindow O, Village Clerk Treasurer, you do not need any form of identification if you do not have…

Words 481 - Pages 2

goverment essay

The pros and cons of voters I.D I am writing this essay to tell you some things about the pros and cons of voter ID. One of the biggest political issues today is the up and coming debates about photo ID laws. This is a law that requires voters to show identification in order to vote. Some states even make you a have a photo ID, and without one you can’t vote. The states that are the strictest on these laws are Pennsylvania, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, and Tennessee. First I would like to start you…

Words 356 - Pages 2

Voter Restrictions In The United States

elections are “rigged.” Donald Trump famously claimed that millions of dead voters were still casting ballots and that millions of citizens were registered to vote in two states, therefore voting twice. While popular, especially amongst Trump’s supporters, these claims are ultimately untrue. However, elections are rigged through the use of gerrymandering and suppression of minority voters, which is partly facilitated by voter ID laws. Election rigging is defined as the illegal interference with the election…

Words 963 - Pages 4

Fewer People Vote Today

Fewer People Vote Today Than Decades Ago According to Howard Friedman, the United States of America has the lowest voter turnout amongst the wealthy countries. It is noted that Belgium leads the group with 93% representation while the United States lags behind with 38% (Friedman, 2012). Despite the massive resource investment in the voting exercise and removal of legal obstacles of voting, the country currently records dwindling number of citizens participating in the process vis-à-vis the situation…

Words 2211 - Pages 9

Low Voter Turnout Causes

Introduction In the United States there is overall low voter turnout on election days nation-wide, especially among minorities and young people. This limits the diversity of the electorate, so that not all groups have an equal say in functions of government. Therefore, the government is not truly representative of the people it governs. The low turnout of minorities and young people has many causes, but among them are the significant impediments to registering to vote and voting itself. In 2008,…

Words 773 - Pages 4