The Voter ID Laws Debate
The arguments for and against requiring photo identification to vote, the evidence on their effects, and international comparisons.
The Case For and Against
Voter ID laws require voters to present identification before casting a ballot. Supporters argue they are a common-sense measure to prevent impersonation fraud and maintain public confidence in elections. They note that ID is required for many everyday activities (boarding a plane, buying alcohol) and that most democracies worldwide require some form of voter identification.
Opponents argue that in-person voter impersonation fraud is virtually nonexistent (you would need to know a registered voter's name, polling place, and that they had not already voted, all to cast a single extra ballot). Meanwhile, strict photo ID requirements disproportionately burden groups less likely to possess the specific forms of ID accepted: low-income voters, elderly voters, young voters, and racial minorities. Studies estimate that 6-11 percent of US citizens lack government-issued photo ID.