Essay:Voter ID: A Personal Reflection
This is an original essay by User:GregG. The views expressed in this essay do not reflect the official position of Conservapedia or of any other editor, except where specifically noted.
There is now just over a month before the 2012 Presidential election, and this election will be the first one where restrictive Voter ID laws will be enforced in more than a couple states. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, as of October 2, 2012, four states will have laws enforced in the November 2012 election requiring most voters to provide an approved photo identification in order to have their vote counted. Five other states currently have their laws blocked for the November 2012 election. Thirty states will request some form of identification from voters in November 2012.[1]
Nevertheless, every state with a voter ID law has their own variation on what sort of identification is required (including whether the identification must have a photo), and whether or not a vote will count if the voter does not present identification (strict voter ID vs. non-strict voter ID).[1] Additionally, within the classes of strict vs. non-strict ID and photo vs. non-photo ID, there are variations in exactly what kinds of ID are acceptable, what types of identification the state makes available to those lacking a valid ID, and the documentation and procedure required to obtain such identification.
Although journalists find it convenient to lump all voter ID laws together in discussion, more sophisticated individuals (such as the readers of Conservapedia) will appreciate the subtle nuances of each individual law (especially the law, if any, of their own state). Polls regularly show that most people agree that the general idea of voter ID is a good thing to have in our election system. In deciding whether a voter ID law is good or bad, an empiricist like me would have to examine both the pluses of a specific voter ID law (in terms of reducing fraud, increasing trust in elections, making polls more efficient) versus its minuses (disenfranchisement, reducing trust in government, costs of training and issuing free identification to those lacking it). A good citizen or legislator will also compare the pluses and minuses for individual provisions to determine the best voter ID law, if any, for their state.
(will expand later)
Arguments to avoid in Voter ID discussions
I have been following Voter ID for much of 2012. What I have noticed is that the arguments for and against Voter ID have shifted over time, both in response to events involving Voter ID (like new legislation, procedures, or court rulings) and as new arguments develop and old, refuted arguments are discarded. When a commentator uses a long-refuted argument in favor of Voter ID, I personally cannot help but wonder sometimes whether the commentator is actually a liberal troll parodying conservatives (like Stephen Colbert). Thus, below I offer a list of arguments that proponents should avoid in voter ID discussion, not only to avoid making themselves look like fools but also to further trustworthy discourse on this important issue.
(I will get to a list of arguments opponents should avoid later)
Identification is necessary for X, and therefore it should be required to vote
(fill in the litany of examples)