Quote:
Originally Posted by maconmagnolia
I'm a huge supporter of voter ID laws. Even if voter fraud is a bit blown out of proportion, it still does happen and is incredibly unfair. However, I don't think that a purple finger is necessary. Photo ID is sufficient.
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I can understand the sentiment, but I do wonder: If high school students can fairly easily get fake IDs to buy alcohol, then I suspect that anyone who really wants to commit voter fraud won't be stopped by a voter ID requirement. Photo ID requirements may foster greater confidence in the integrity of the system -- which may be a sufficient good in and of itself -- but I'd be interested to see data concerning whether they appreciably decrease fraud. My guess is that increased technological capabilities -- such as the ability to regularly compare databases of voter rolls, drivers licenses, death certificates, etc. -- are much more effective tools for reducing fraud.