Let's be candid about this topic. Requiring photo ID has almost nothing
to do with preventing vote fraud. For most of its proponents it is just
a ruse for creating one more impediment to voting that they expect will
fall most heavily on those most likely to vote Democrat. That could
also be accomplished by such measures as requiring voters to wear a
business suit, have a job or insurance, pass a test, or pay taxes,
child support, or student loans. Some of these also impede the ability
to get government-issued photo ID, and can stand as a convenient
indicator of them. Government-issued photo ID, as distinct from
privately-issued photo ID, is also a way to control people the
government doesn't like, and that those who control government don't
want voting.
Now I don't necessarily oppose some such restrictions on who may vote.
I would consider denying the vote to those who don't have a high school
diploma or GED, who can't pass a test on American government or who the
candidates are, or who get a substantial proportion of their revenue
from government employment, contracting, or pensions. If only tax
payers, and not tax getters, could vote, we might get better
government. But let us not obscure what we are trying to do in seeking
such restrictions.
-- Jon
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Constitution Society http://constitution.org
2900 W Anderson Ln C-200-322 Austin, TX 78757
512/299-5001 jon.roland@constitution.org
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