During their first 100 days in control of the NC General Assembly, Republican leaders say they will push through a bill to require anyone who votes to first show a NC driver’s license or other photo ID. They think it’s a “common sense” way to “stop voter fraud” – but consider who is most affected by such a requirement. Studies show that poor people, people of color, elderly non-drivers, students, and people with disabilities are most likely not to have a government ID with a current address. Compared to the number of people without an ID (6 to 10% of the population), the incidence of actual voter fraud is less than miniscule. Requiring a photo ID is really just a way to reduce the number of voters Republicans don’t like. It’s exactly what the Democrats did after 1898 when they regained control of the General Assembly and instituted the literacy test and poll tax to “stop voter fraud” and purge as many opponents from voter rolls as possible. We’re suffering the legacy of that enforced disenfranchisement still today.
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That the Republicans shamelessly propose this partisan, damaging legislation when so many serious, pressing problems cry out for attention shows clearly that they and their fellows in DC care about what their contributors want, and not what their constituents need.
I don’t see how any fair minded, reasonable person could object to showing their ID to vote. This is one place where there should be no chance of fraud. I would like to see this done nation wide.