The Importance Of Voter Id Laws

According to Kristen Clarke, “linking the right to vote to the presentation of specific photo identification significantly burdens that right and denies minority voters equal and unfettered access to the political process” (9). This means that voters lacking a photo ID would be limited and could not exercise their right to vote. Lizette agrees, stating that “Election experts say minorities, poor people and students -- who tend to skew Democratic -- are among those least likely to have valid driver 's licenses, the most prevalent form of identification” (A1). The result of these requirements could affect the democratic votes of an

This could be an opportunity for a case for fraud, since ID is not required or put in a data for this purpose. By the same token, disabled individual who are registered, should have a representative from the election committee to come their home, sign an affidavit and allow them to cast their vote at that time. Reason being anyone could pretend to be that individual. This should be an issue that concerns both parties. I am not quite sure of any other ways that fraud could be prevented.

The argument for compulsory voting is basically undemocratic because the first amendment talks about how you have freedom. The freedom of choice must include the freedom not to choose. Democracy deeply values individual freedom which means if compulsory voting was mandatory, It is a clear violation of liberty and the first amendment. I argue that voting should not be mandatory in America because first, non-voters are uninformed, it doesn’t improve the democratic climate, and it requires a national database. American is one of the most powerful and big countries in the world.

I believe that Americans should be required to vote. Compulsory voting allows everyone to have a say about who they think is fit in the government. It allows the polls to be more accurate and the number of votes increase. Required voting allows those who can 't or don 't have time to make it the day or time off work. Requiring people to vote is like a boss requiring his employees to get to work on time, it 's short and easy but also important and effective.

Voter fraud is the act of a voter not listening to the American policy “ one person one vote”, and votes more than once. People can commit this fraud by registering under the names of deceased citizens, voting without citizenship, registering in multiple locations, ineligible voting, and more (U.S News). Voter suppression is a variety of tactics used to decrease the number of voters who vote in a particular election (Ballotpedia). It can be used as a technique to convince people to not vote. According to Aclu.org ,voter suppression laws make it difficult for Americans to vote “ particularly black people, the elderly, students, and people with disabilities”.

One must be a United States citizen; a resident of the county where one submit the application; at least 18 years old on Election Day; not a convicted felon; and not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote (Vote Texas). Even though these are very specific requirements, there have been times where people vote even if they do not meet them. In an effort to reduce voter fraud, Texas passed Senate Bill 14 that requires Texas’ voters show one of the following photo identifications on Election Day: Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS, Texas personal identification card issued by DPS, Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS, United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph, United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph, United States passport (Champagne and Harpham 98). In June 2013 the US Supreme Court ruled, in a 5-4 decision, striking down the formula for determining the states that were covered under section 5 preclearance condition contained in The Voting Rights Act.

The main purpose of the voter ID law is to prevent voter fraud and it has yet to be a big issue. Since there has been no problems, I assume that there has been some sort of leeway happening in the registration process. One of the main forms of leeway could be the fact that we have the option of 7 different types of identification that could be presented in order to vote. And not only that, but we have the right to submit provisional votes as well until we show some sort of ID to match our registration

Abi H. Civic Reflection Issue 1- Change in Point of View: In Canada, voter turnout has become a major issue; as there is a large amount of the population that does not vote in elections. Back in 2008, a total of 58% of the countries` population voted in the election. This is a startling low number, which since has begun to increase only slightly in recent years. In a democratic society, voting is essential for it to function with its full potential. Doing so enacts one of your basic responsibilities as a citizen, as well as shows that you are staying involved in your community and government.

First, a current photo ID will be required to vote. This could be a driver 's license, US passport, military ID card, or any photo ID issued by a government agency. For anyone without an acceptable photo ID, free voter ID cards will be offered at local government offices like the DMV or a county office. To get a voter ID card, the applicant must bring their social security card to the office and fill out a voter ID application.

This unfamiliarity and thought of the process being confusing deters the younger people from registering to vote in the first place. By removing this process, voters can just show up to cast their votes and move on with their day without worrying about this potentially confusing process. These three methods combined could increase the voter turnout for each

Voter identification laws have ben around since the 1950’s. South Carolina was the first state to require some kind of identification at the polls. No photo was require, just a document bearing the voters name. The first five state to establish a voter identification law were South Carolina, Hawaii, Texas, Florida, and Alaska. Since 2000, more and more states are getting stricter with their voter identification laws.

“ While compulsion of any kind is a restriction, so is the compulsion to drive only on the right side of the road.” ( “Is It Time To Consider Mandatory Voting Laws? Worsening Voting Statistics Make a Strong Case.” by John W. Dean.) One way voter turnout can increase is by compulsory (required) voting.

Throughout the recent years the majority of the able voting population are exercising their privilege to vote. Even during the presidential elections the voter turnout rate was 50% or less than that. The act of voting should be a personal responsibility of every citizen meaning it should be a obligation. But to specify on this statement, it should not lawfully required to vote because people also have the right not to vote too (and it would be weakening personal liberties) , but it should be a personal responsibility for citizens if they are to complain about how the government run rather than every citizen. A personal responsibility is when we are the cause of our own actions.

Voting Is An Important American Issue During my personal experience during an election, I believe that each arguement is a very compelling and potentially problematic concern. Each method of voting has a potential flaw, such as , paper ballots can be tampered with, stolen, or even hard to read in some cases. On the more positive side the paper method can be very easy to use for all people including those who are disabled, the instructions are clear, the choosing of candidates are simple, and for the elderly it 's easy as well, because not everyone is a computer whiz and would rather choose a method to which they are more comfortable like paper and pen, because evryone in our nation at one point or another have been to school and used old fashion paper and pen; Computer Technology wasn 't always around.

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 ( also known as the “NVRA” or “motor voter law”) sets forth certain voter registration requirements with respect to elections for federal office. It was made so if a voter is not registered he/she could register to vote at a motor vehicle department. The motor voter applies to anyone with picture identification that is issued by a state motor vehicle authority. So if the person that wanted to vote had a some type of picture I.D. that person could do the motor voter and vote. The motor voter also provides that, in addition to accepting and using the federal mail application.