Keeping College Students from Voting

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Although there is almost no literal voter fraud there is LOTS of stunts like hanging door knockers in "certain" neighborhoods telling them to vote on Wednesday. I have been involved in elections where this literally happened.

You mean like the most recent one?

So here are my questions.

Sorry, they will hear, you have an out-of-state driver’s license. Sorry, your college ID is not valid here. Sorry, we found out that you paid out-of-state tuition, so even though you do have a state driver’s license, you still can’t vote.

1. Paying out of state tuition back in the summer when I came from out of state has nothing to do with this little card I have in my hand now. Once the DMV issues that DL, I thought that officially changes your residency to your new state. Is that not true?

Seven states have already passed strict laws requiring a government-issued ID (like a driver’s license or a passport) to vote, which many students don’t have, and 27 others are considering such measures. Many of those laws have been interpreted as prohibiting out-of-state driver’s licenses from being used for voting.

2. Interpreted by whom and are they relevant?

While I don't like this, I don't see it as the end of the world. Vote absentee if you have to, I guess. However, when I got to college there was a huge push for students to register locally. "You will spend 9-12 months a year HERE for the next 4 years. THIS is your home now, don't let it slip through the cracks. Vote on the initiatives, vote for the leaders whose decisions will affect you." If schools continue to get students all passionate about their new homes then the states pass something like this so the majority can't vote in them (including for the president), that is going to be a problem.