Voter ID Laws
Voter turnout during elections represents one of the ways that citizens participate in politics. Voting allows citizens to participate in their democratic right of selecting political leaders to represent them in various political spheres. Participation in an election process requires that voters register prior to the election exercise. In the US, however, there have been concerns that the number of voters who turn out during an election period is significantly less compared to the total population of the nation.Initiatives to motivate more people to register as voters are on the rise (Pintor, Gratschew, & Sullivan, 2002). However, there have been rising concerns over election fraud with some states passing legislation that make the voter registration and identification strict.
Legislators introduced voter ID laws in 2003, and since then many states have adopted the laws. The voter ID laws are measures that aim to guarantee that only those registered to vote participate in the voting process. Other than the standard voters card, some states indicate that voters must turn up for election with a government issued photo used to confirm the voter. The photo identification is proof that the person voting is the one registered in that state (McGrath, 2012). Other states require that voters provide physical addresses as well as utility statements at the place of voting. These strategies aim to ensure that cases of impersonation do not arise.
Although the voter ID laws are to streamline the voting process by ensuring only legitimate voters participate, it may lock out other potential voters. Studies conducted by Ipsos indicate that approximately 21million citizen’s lack the government issued photo identification. The 21 million citizens represent a significant number of individuals who may be locked out of the voting process. The voter’s laws may also lock out the rising minority group that was gradually becoming active in the voting process. This refers to groups such as the African American communities, the Hispanics and the majority of the low income earners. Personally, I had a challenging time voting in my locale as my state was among the numerous that had adopted the stringent voter ID laws. At the time of voting, I did not have valid photo identification and was thus given a provisional ballot. I was also required to provide the ID within ten days after the election date so that the vote I cast counts. Though the voting process was challenging, I appreciate that my state was not too strict to deny me the opportunity to execute my democratic right.
In conclusion, the debate over voter ID cards is purely based on an effort to engage in election processes that are fair and without question over their validity. The US has almost 100million voters, and with such a large number it is vital that the electoral board determines ways to foolproof the voting process. The voter ID laws are valid and should be adopted by all states by the next general elections. The voting process in US should neither be made easier or harder. If it is too easy, it will create loop holes for cheaters (McGrath, 2012). However, if it too hard, it will discourage many voters from participating in the voting process. Instead, voting in US must be made mandatory but citizen-friendly. This means that it should be easy to the genuine voter to engage in but quite complicated for a voter with the intention of cheating of impersonation another voter.
Reference
McGrath, D. (2012). It should easy to vote but hard to cheat. US News. Retrieved from http://www.usnews.com/opinion/debate-club/articles/2012/07/13/it-should-be-easy-to-vote-but-hard-to-cheat
Pintor, R., Gratschew, M., & Sullivan, K. (2002). Voter turnout rates: Comparative perspective: From http://www.idea.int/publications/vt/upload/Voter%20turnout.pdf
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