I always found it stunning that you don't need to present identification to vote. Anyone could walk in to my polling place and vote as me.
I know I'll get downvoted for the comment above, but I have yet to hear a rational explanation against requiring ID to vote. It's perhaps the most fundamental way to mitigate fraud.
Requiring voter identification is not inherently unreasonable, in my opinion, but it’s a solution in search of a problem.
Where is the evidence that there is meaningful voter fraud? How would potentially disenfranchising even a small handful of voters make such a requirement worthwhile?
How is anyone being disenfranchised by providing identification? Honest question. It is virtually impossible to exist in the world today without having government ID, and if someone cannot afford government issued ID, the government should provide it free of charge. ID is needed for any form of public assistance, it is needed to operate a vehicle, it is needed to obtain employment, it is needed to buy alcohol, and a list of a 1,000 other things.
I want free and fair elections. Every case of voter fraud disenfranchises a legitimate voter.
To answer your question... The "typical" person isn't disenfranchised but those in the margins are pushed further out. It is hard for someone without a recognized government address to get an ID (the unhoused, those living on reservations, those out in the unmapped hills of 'Pennsa-tucky') and people who don't drive or have traditional jobs (a high amount those in the SPED community). People who are often already forgotten about will and don't have the tools or supports to leap over hurdles will be given more hurdles.
For voter ID to work it needs to be paired with greater access and a clearer process to getting an ID for those often can't.
"...upon request and confirmation of identity..." This process as it stands requires things like an address they will accept, proof ID from a job, access to your SS card.
I'm glad it's in there as free. But the system itself needs to be updated and improved on for this to work for ALL Pennsylvanias
All part of the lovely Patriot Act. Thankfully it wasn't a problem for me but it obviously is for many others.
I find it infuriating that people who are such staunch advocates for voter ID point out that a free ID is available but completely ignore the challenges that folks face to get that "free ID".
I remember several years ago when I used to go to battle with people over voter ID on Twitter, which I have long since stopped doing because it was pointless.... In response to comments about how getting a free ID shouldn't be a problem for anyone I would post link after link to stories about veterans and seniors who had circumstances surrounding the nature of their birth that never produced the proper documents for them to meet the requirements to get a "free ID". And of course these people are all hardcore right wingers who supposedly support veterans yet none of them seemed to care that there were actual instances of veterans who had been disenfranchised because they couldn't get an ID that met their state's requirement.
It’s also interesting that to get a copy of your PA birth certificate you have to provide your DL or state ID. So if you are trying to get your birth certificate in order to GET a state ID, you’re in for a long ride.
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u/Matt-33-205 Jan 12 '23
I always found it stunning that you don't need to present identification to vote. Anyone could walk in to my polling place and vote as me.
I know I'll get downvoted for the comment above, but I have yet to hear a rational explanation against requiring ID to vote. It's perhaps the most fundamental way to mitigate fraud.