Keeping College Students from Voting

[SWTXBelle]

Yes, there are those who do not, for a variety of reasons, have photo identification. They are a distinct minority ( looking at a variety of sources, estimates seem to range from 11% - 25%) , and if the problem is access to photo id (because of cost, transportation issues, etc.) than those problems should be addressed. I would fully support efforts to insure that all qualified American citizens were able to acquire id. All those community groups who work to register voters would seem to be a good place to start with efforts to get photo identification in the hands of possible voters.

That is really a separate issue from the idea of having to provide id at a polling place. Here's a better example for id opponents - If I wish to register my child for public school, I have to provide a plethora of identification and forms. Public education is a right, but it is a right which comes with requirements to exercise. Voting is a right, but we already have requirements in place to exercise it.

Currently in Texas if you do not have your voter registration card or id you can sign an affidavit at the polling place - it may be that something similar could work for the minority of American citizens who do not have id. I've had to use the affidavit - it took maybe 5 minutes to do.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Yes, there are those who do not, for a variety of reasons, have photo identification. They are a distinct minority ( looking at a variety of sources, estimates seem to range from 11% - 25%) , and if the problem is access to photo id (because of cost, transportation issues, etc.) than those problems should be addressed. I would fully support efforts to insure that all qualified American citizens were able to acquire id. All those community groups who work to register voters would seem to be a good place to start with efforts to get photo identification in the hands of possible voters.

(For the record, estimates are not to be confused with reliable data. The difficulty of assessing and accessing this distinct minority is why there are difficulties in conducting this research and factors such as identification cards.)

The bolded efforts need to be furthered before an I.D. is required in states where policy makers know a segment of the population does not have I.D.

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

That is really a separate issue from the idea of having to provide id at a polling place.

No, it cannot be a separate issue.

It is all part of the same issue: The Right to Vote

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Here's a better example for id opponents - If I wish to register my child for public school, I have to provide a plethora of identification and forms. Public education is a right, but it is a right which comes with requirements to exercise. Voting is a right, but we already have requirements in place to exercise it.

Here is what Chicago Public Schools requires:

http://www.cps.edu/schools/enroll_in...checklist.aspx

You can see how a child can be placed in Chicago public school without the primary caregivers having forms of I.D. that would be valid for voting purposes. Public school sytems in areas with disadvantaged populations have searched for ways to address this disadvantaged population which includes accepting documentation that disadvantaged populations are more likely to have access to.

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Currently in Texas if you do not have your voter registration card or id you can sign an affidavit at the polling place - it may be that something similar could work for the minority of American citizens who do not have id. I've had to use the affidavit - it took maybe 5 minutes to do.

Perhaps this needs to be presented as an alternative.

It probably will not be presented as an alternative because affidavits will take longer than 5 minutes in areas where a lot of people do not have an I.D.

Plus, affidavits may conveniently get "lost" in certain areas that are not accustomed to poor people and other disadvantaged people coming to polling places. That is how it has historically been done in certain areas.