In recent years, the voting process has become more difficult, with the proliferation of voting ID laws throughout the United States and the shortening of early voting periods. These laws have been aimed at curbing voting fraud, but they have instead limited many Americans from participating in the sacred American principle of voting. Many believe that these laws not only infringes upon one’s political freedom, but on political equality for all citizens. To prevent the increased voting discrimination of those who are eligible, but do not meet the requirements as detailed by new voting laws or cannot vote at all because of limiting the early voting periods, I suggest we get rid of the voting ID laws in all states, while also streamlining the
…show more content…
The right to vote has been a crucial component to the rights afforded to the American citizen by the constitution and the Bill of Rights. However, with these new laws in place it limits certain populations within the United States from participating in the voting process, especially those who have a hard time obtaining an ID deemed sufficient enough to vote by their respective state. This includes students, racial minorities, the elderly, and the poor. In a report done by the People for the American Way Foundation, it found “Identification requirements pose a special burden to the approximately 12 percent of voting-age Americans – mainly the poor, racial minorities, senior citizens and students – who do not have a driver’s license.” This finding is troubling, especially when one thinks about the possible outcomes an election may have had if that 12% actually got the chances to voice their opinion through the voting process. In addition to voter ID laws, some states have even shortened early voting periods. These periods help involve those from the working-class who may not have time from their busy day to vote on election day by extending the period of time they can submit their ballot. However, with these cuts it negatively affects their ability to vote, thus cause a decrease in voter turnout. Yet, with all this evidence, why have some …show more content…
In an ideal situation, the voter laws would be completely abolished as previously stated there is no need for a law that marginalizes a certain population to prevent a crime that not only happens very rarely, but when it does happen has a very miniscule effect on elections. This course of action would be handled best in the Supreme Court, who has a history of striking down laws that have taken constitutional rights from American citizens. However, if a compromise must be made, I suggest loosening the qualifications for what can be deemed acceptable for an ID. By allowing more ID that can encompass more of the population, this can open the doors for a larger voter turnout. In the U.S. News report, I (Wish I) Voted, it describes how Texas “allows certain kinds of ID (including concealed carry permits for guns) but not others (such as student IDs, even those issued by the state of Texas for students in the state university system).” This exclusion of certain ID, especially those that can allow a population attributed with a low voter turnout, is ridiculous. These alterations can bring about positive change in terms of inclusion of more voter and increase the voter
The right to vote has been a crucial component to the rights afforded to the American citizen by the constitution and the Bill of Rights. However, with these new laws in place it limits certain populations within the United States from participating in the voting process, especially those who have a hard time obtaining an ID deemed sufficient enough to vote by their respective state. This includes students, racial minorities, the elderly, and the poor. In a report done by the People for the American Way Foundation, it found “Identification requirements pose a special burden to the approximately 12 percent of voting-age Americans – mainly the poor, racial minorities, senior citizens and students – who do not have a driver’s license.” This finding is troubling, especially when one thinks about the possible outcomes an election may have had if that 12% actually got the chances to voice their opinion through the voting process. In addition to voter ID laws, some states have even shortened early voting periods. These periods help involve those from the working-class who may not have time from their busy day to vote on election day by extending the period of time they can submit their ballot. However, with these cuts it negatively affects their ability to vote, thus cause a decrease in voter turnout. Yet, with all this evidence, why have some …show more content…
In an ideal situation, the voter laws would be completely abolished as previously stated there is no need for a law that marginalizes a certain population to prevent a crime that not only happens very rarely, but when it does happen has a very miniscule effect on elections. This course of action would be handled best in the Supreme Court, who has a history of striking down laws that have taken constitutional rights from American citizens. However, if a compromise must be made, I suggest loosening the qualifications for what can be deemed acceptable for an ID. By allowing more ID that can encompass more of the population, this can open the doors for a larger voter turnout. In the U.S. News report, I (Wish I) Voted, it describes how Texas “allows certain kinds of ID (including concealed carry permits for guns) but not others (such as student IDs, even those issued by the state of Texas for students in the state university system).” This exclusion of certain ID, especially those that can allow a population attributed with a low voter turnout, is ridiculous. These alterations can bring about positive change in terms of inclusion of more voter and increase the voter