Voter ID

WHY IS THIS A PRIORITY: Every year there are bills that would require Citizens to show identification to vote.

LWV POSITION: LWV believes that voting is a fundamental citizens right that must be guaranteed.

FACT: Photo ID requirements disproportionately impact young, elderly, disabled, poor and minority voters, Amish and some nuns. A 2005 report by the Commission on Federal Election Reform shows that approximately 12% of voting-age Americans do not have driver's licenses.

FACT: Just because a law may be constitutional does not mean that it is a good policy. The Brennnan Center for Justice at the NYU School of law finds that 11% of the voting age population or 21 million American citizens do not possess government-issued photo identification. Photo ID requirements disproportionately impact young, elderly, disabled, poor and minority, nuns and Amish voters.

FACT: Only first time Voter's are required to show identification.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: January 22, 2012 21:26 PST.

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