Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law

whitsy

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-w-whitehead/voter-id-laws_b_1514422.html

Why is requiring a photo ID to vote such a bad idea? Do that many old, young, and minority really not have a photo ID? It says at one point that 25% of African Americans do not have photo ID, but this really surprises me. I've had to have a photo ID for so many things, that I can't imagine that's an accurate number.

What do you think? I know it's slow today but I'm really interested in this, and understanding why it's such a bad thing.

HockeyFan4

Whit, my guess is because you have to pay for a photo ID, you are excluding voters who could not afford one.

Gabrielle76

It doesn't seem like a bad idea to me.  You need a photo ID to do so many things, and it's not like they're hard to get. You need one to get on a plane, but not to cast your opinion for who should be in charge of the country?

[Deleted User]

I don't think it is a bad thing to require photo ID for voting.  You should be able to prove who you are and I know when there aren't photo ID requirements, more voter fraud happens.

I think it all boils down to money.  I've heard the argument against having a photo ID is because people have a "right" to vote, yet they can't afford an ID, so it is discrimination against them that they can't vote without it.  You need an ID for a lot of different things, so why should voting be any different?

whitsy

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-someone-explain-this-to-me-re-voter-id-law?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9ddb3944-05ef-4aee-83a8-6dc0563795c7Post:96afed97-00aa-457c-b42a-ff91862fef40">Re: Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law</a>:
[QUOTE]Whit, my guess is because you have to pay for a photo ID, you are excluding voters who could not afford one.
Posted by HockeyFan4[/QUOTE]

<div>I was doing some research to see how much it is in TN after you said that, because I didn't think about that, but I found this:</div><div>
</div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:18px;background-color:#ffffff;">If you are a registered voter and do not have a government-issued photo ID, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security will provide you with a photo ID at no charge. Citizens may obtain these IDs at 48 of the Driver Service Centers across the state. (The only center where IDs are not available is the Driver License Reinstatement Center on Murfreesboro Road in Davidson County.)</span> </div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:18px;background-color:#ffffff;">
</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:18px;background-color:#ffffff;">I don't know how difficult it is to get a photo ID, but if it's free and I really wanted to vote? I suppose I'd figure it out.</span></div>

HandBanana

It is a poverty/class issue because it costs money. I have worked election polls and there are other ways to verify identity.

Kate61487

I get what Hockey is saying, but at the same time like you said I just can't imagine that THAT many people don't have ID.  48% of women don't have access to a birth certificate with their legal name?  seriously?  I mean, yeah mine doesn't have my legal name anymore either, but with that AND my marriage license I'd be able to prove my identity just fine.

ETA: Also, it's one thing if you live in a small town and you know the person working the booth and they can verify your identity in that way, but I can tell you I've NEVER known the person checking me in at the polls, and I'll gladly show my ID to make sure someone else doesn't vote in my spot.

HandBanana

In Response to Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law:[QUOTE]It is a poverty/class issue because it costs money. I have worked election polls and there are other ways to verify identity. Posted by HandBanana[/QUOTE]

Also, the reality of getting ID even if it is free. How are you contacting Homeland Security? It is rather out of touch to just say get an ID or go through all this to get a free one. People, for the most part, take the path of least resistance which would mean just not voting.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-someone-explain-this-to-me-re-voter-id-law?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9ddb3944-05ef-4aee-83a8-6dc0563795c7Post:de3c1126-366b-44ed-b0f7-b5bd941990fe">Re: Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law : I was doing some research to see how much it is in TN after you said that, because I didn't think about that, but I found this: If you are a registered voter and do not have a government-issued photo ID, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security will provide you with a photo ID at no charge. Citizens may obtain these IDs at 48 of the Driver Service Centers across the state. (The only center where IDs are not available is the Driver License Reinstatement Center on Murfreesboro Road in Davidson County.) I don't know how difficult it is to get a photo ID, but if it's free and I really wanted to vote? I suppose I'd figure it out.
Posted by whitsy[/QUOTE]

<div>Yes, but that requires too much work for people and they don't want to do the work.  In Michigan to get a state issued photo ID you have to pay for either a drivers license or a state ID which I believe are around $18.  </div><div>
</div><div>It also brings up the problem that states can set their own laws regarding voting, so it will differ from state to state.</div>

whitsy

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-someone-explain-this-to-me-re-voter-id-law?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9ddb3944-05ef-4aee-83a8-6dc0563795c7Post:55b211ad-39f9-4aaf-a8b1-a95de18b6609">Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law</a>:
[QUOTE]It is a poverty/class issue because it costs money. I have worked election polls and there are other ways to verify identity.
Posted by HandBanana[/QUOTE]

<div>So, in TN it's free to get one. I don't know about other states. But that helps out some of the voters, right? And possibly more states offer them for free?</div><div>
</div><div>And in Pennsylvania, that the article mentions, it's only $13.50.</div>

HandBanana

In Response to Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law:[QUOTE]I get what Hockey is saying, but at the same time like you said I just can't imagine that THAT many people don't have ID.nbsp; 48 of women don't have access to a birth certificate with their legal name?nbsp; seriously?nbsp; I mean, yeah mine doesn't have my legal name anymore either, but with that AND my marriage license I'd be able to prove my identity just fine.ETA: Also, it's one thing if you live in a small town and you know the person working the booth and they can verify your identity in that way, but I can tell you I've NEVER known the person checking me in at the polls, and I'll gladly show my ID to make sure someone else doesn't vote in my spot. Posted by Kate61487[/QUOTE]

I don't know if every state is the same but I had your mailing address and who else was in your household. it was district so I could see the whole neighborhood. Where do you stay? Who do you stay with?

HockeyFan4

Whit: you have a friendly state   In MA you need to pay $25 for a state issued photo id (not driver's license).  In order to get that you need to have : 

• Document proving date of birth
• Document proving signature
• Document proving Massachusetts residency
• A Social Security Number (SSN) that the RMV can verify with the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) as having been issued to you OR an acceptable Denial Notice from the SSA. If you present a Denial Notice, you must also present proof of acceptable visa status, an I-94 (Record of Arrival and Departure), and a current non-U.S. Passport.

All documents must be originals. Photocopies will not be accepted. You must also clear a check through the National Driver Register and pay the required fees.

 

So you possibly would have to pay the additional money to get a copy of your birth certificate

Don't get me wrong.  I think voters need to be more educated (not in general but about what they are actually voting about/whom they are voting for)...and I personally think if voting is important to you, providing a photo id shouldn't be a big deal....but I am just playing devil's advocate a bit.

whitsy

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-someone-explain-this-to-me-re-voter-id-law?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9ddb3944-05ef-4aee-83a8-6dc0563795c7Post:1d4fae84-7ba5-44d1-abf5-49a220dd1fe1">Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law: Also, the reality of getting ID even if it is free. How are you contacting Homeland Security? It is rather out of touch to just say get an ID or go through all this to get a free one. People, for the most part, take the path of least resistance which would mean just not voting.
Posted by HandBanana[/QUOTE]

<div>You don't have to contact Homeland Security. You just go to the DMV, as far as I can tell. But I only looked up TN, since that's where I live, and Pennsylvania.</div><div>
</div><div>I think that even for not voting purposes, you should carry photo ID.</div>

HandBanana

In Response to Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law:[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law:It is a poverty/class issue because it costs money. I have worked election polls and there are other ways to verify identity.Posted by HandBananaSo, in TN it's free to get one. I don't know about other states. But that helps out some of the voters, right? And possibly more states offer them for free?And in Pennsylvania, that the article mentions, it's only 13.50. Posted by whitsy[/QUOTE]

13.50 is two hours of pay for some people.

whitsy

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-someone-explain-this-to-me-re-voter-id-law?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9ddb3944-05ef-4aee-83a8-6dc0563795c7Post:2fde8168-f2bd-4f21-9cfc-6ac9233c4771">Re: Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law</a>:
[QUOTE]Whit: you have a friendly state :)  In MA you need to pay $25 for a state issued photo id (not driver's license).  In order to get that you need to have :  Document proving date of birth Document proving signature Document proving Massachusetts residency A Social Security Number (SSN) that the RMV can verify with the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) as having been issued to you OR an acceptable Denial Notice from the SSA. If you present a Denial Notice, you must also present proof of acceptable visa status, an I-94 (Record of Arrival and Departure), and a current non-U.S. Passport. All documents must be originals. Photocopies will not be accepted. You must also clear a check through the National Driver Register and pay the required fees.   So you possibly would have to pay the additional money to get a copy of your birth certificate Don't get me wrong.  I think voters need to be more educated (not in general but about what they are actually voting about/whom they are voting for)...and I personally think if voting is important to you, providing a photo id shouldn't be a big deal....but I am just playing devil's advocate a bit.
Posted by HockeyFan4[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>No, thank you Hockey. I just picked two states to look at and they both seemed fairly easy. I see now that it's more difficult in other states.

</div>

HandBanana

In Response to Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law:[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law:In Response to Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law: Also, the reality of getting ID even if it is free. How are you contacting Homeland Security? It is rather out of touch to just say get an ID or go through all this to get a free one. People, for the most part, take the path of least resistance which would mean just not voting.Posted by HandBananaYou don't have to contact Homeland Security. You just go to the DMV, as far as I can tell. But I only looked up TN, since that's where I live, and Pennsylvania.I think that even for not voting purposes, you should carry photo ID. Posted by whitsy[/QUOTE]

But how do I find out I can get a free ID? Then how do I get to the DMV? Saying I am an impoverished woman. I do not have a car. I work two jobs and I have one kid.

whitsy

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-someone-explain-this-to-me-re-voter-id-law?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9ddb3944-05ef-4aee-83a8-6dc0563795c7Post:db16aebd-233d-4df6-835f-1d4996abd48a">Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law: 13.50 is two hours of pay for some people.
Posted by HandBanana[/QUOTE]

<div>I understand, I work minimum wage at the hotel. </div><div>
</div><div>I see where you're going with this, the data is just very surprising to me that people don't already carry a photo ID. And it seems like stretching to say it's trying to keep old, young, women, and minorities to vote.</div><div>
</div><div>But maybe I'm just naive. It wouldn't be the first time I've understood that things just don't work in other areas like it does around here.</div>

whitsy

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-someone-explain-this-to-me-re-voter-id-law?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9ddb3944-05ef-4aee-83a8-6dc0563795c7Post:5ac90606-713e-4bd7-94e7-6c7cf0144c5e">Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law: But how do I find out I can get a free ID? Then how do I get to the DMV? Saying I am an impoverished woman. I do not have a car. I work two jobs and I have one kid.
Posted by HandBanana[/QUOTE]

<div>Makes sense. I understand now the difficulty it could impose. </div>

misshart00

I don't understand why some places don't even require voters ID. I mean it's the card they give you when you register to vote. Logically, if you can vote, you should have that card.

HockeyFan4

I like researching things...so I looked to see what you did need to register to vote in MA...(it has been a long time since I registered)

Yes, if you are registering to vote for the first time in Massachusetts. Because of a federal law, the Help America Vote Act of 2002 passed by Congress, if you registered to vote by mail on or after January 1, 2003, you will be required to show identification when you vote for the first time in a federal election since registering by mail in 2003, or you can send in a copy of your identification with your voter registration form.

Acceptable identification must include your name and the address at which you are registered to vote, for example: a current and valid driver’s license, photo identification, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document showing your name and address. If you send in a copy of your identification with your mail-in voter registration form, it may not be returned to you.

If you do not provide such identification, the Help America Vote Act of 2002 requires that you may only cast a provisional ballot which will be counted later, but only after your eligibility to vote has been determined

Simply Fated

In Response to Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law:[QUOTE]I don't understand why some places don't even require voters ID. I mean it's the card they give you when you register to vote. Logically, if you can vote, you should have that card. Posted by misshart00[/QUOTE]
What card?

whitsy

But also, something else I just thought of, the young mother without a car and two kids probably wouldn't vote anyway maybe? Because how would she get to the voting booth? Or is it easier to get to a voting booth to the DMV? Because they're right next to each other here. 

So Hockey, sounds like if the photo ID is too difficult to obtain, other forms of ID may be used? Am I reading that righT?

Simply Fated

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-someone-explain-this-to-me-re-voter-id-law?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9ddb3944-05ef-4aee-83a8-6dc0563795c7Post:b3f50371-03b1-43aa-b19f-2ce789623b3f">Re: Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't understand why some places don't even require voters ID. I mean it's the card they give you when you register to vote. Logically, if you can vote, you should have that card.
Posted by misshart00[/QUOTE]<div>What card?

</div>

Kate61487

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-someone-explain-this-to-me-re-voter-id-law?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:9ddb3944-05ef-4aee-83a8-6dc0563795c7Post:5ac90606-713e-4bd7-94e7-6c7cf0144c5e">Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law: But how do I find out I can get a free ID? Then how do I get to the DMV? Saying I am an impoverished woman. I do not have a car. <strong>I work two jobs</strong> and I have one kid.
Posted by HandBanana[/QUOTE]

But don't you have to have an ID to get those jobs?  I mean you have to fill out all the paperwork for taxes and stuff and if I recall I had to provide some combination of drivers license, social security card, and/or passport to begin employment

HockeyFan4

Ya whit: In MA if you don't have a photo id, you can register with a pay stub, or utility bill, or a gov't check.

Around here there are DMVs in every few cities...and voting polls are broken up by closest school usually.  In my town there are 9 different voting precincts.  So for the mom with the two jobs, much easier to swing by a voting precinct than the DMV.

whitsy

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-someone-explain-this-to-me-re-voter-id-law?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9ddb3944-05ef-4aee-83a8-6dc0563795c7Post:d53644d1-1d70-48b0-8d87-6a25bcad7693">Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law : But don't you have to have an ID to get those jobs?  I mean you have to fill out all the paperwork for taxes and stuff and if I recall I had to provide some combination of drivers license, social security card, and/or passport to begin employment
Posted by Kate61487[/QUOTE]

<div>That's right, I did too. I just remembered. I had to have a copy to attach to my tax information.</div>

misshart00

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-someone-explain-this-to-me-re-voter-id-law?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:9ddb3944-05ef-4aee-83a8-6dc0563795c7Post:47c89702-4ee8-4a40-88c9-26b5a020690f">Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law:
What card?
Posted by Simply Fated[/QUOTE]



Maybe it's different in other states, but hey send us a card when we register to vote that has your full name, district, and party affiliation.

Kate61487

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-someone-explain-this-to-me-re-voter-id-law?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:9ddb3944-05ef-4aee-83a8-6dc0563795c7Post:427559cf-737b-46ff-af2f-1c43f5e3d5ec">Re: Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law : What card?
Posted by Simply Fated[/QUOTE]

At least in IL they issue a voter ID card.  You get it in the mail after you register, along with information about where your polling location is.  It's just a piece of cardstock with your name on it (and probably a voter ID number and some other stuff, it's been a while since I looked at mine)

whitsy

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-someone-explain-this-to-me-re-voter-id-law?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9ddb3944-05ef-4aee-83a8-6dc0563795c7Post:261a535b-9de9-4ddf-a644-e90aef043228">Re: Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law</a>:
[QUOTE]Ya whit: In MA if you don't have a photo id, you can register with a pay stub, or utility bill, or a gov't check. Around here there are DMVs in every few cities...and voting polls are broken up by closest school usually.  In my town there are 9 different voting precincts.  So for the mom with the two jobs, much easier to swing by a voting precinct than the DMV.
Posted by HockeyFan4[/QUOTE]

<div>So, that seems like the young, old,women, and minorities are still ok. I mean, if they don't have a photo ID, surely they have a pay stub or barring that, a gov't check. </div>

Simply Fated

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-someone-explain-this-to-me-re-voter-id-law?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9ddb3944-05ef-4aee-83a8-6dc0563795c7Post:8821480b-b30b-4501-b8c3-5c80cd98e2c8">Re: Can someone explain this to me? Re: Voter ID Law</a>:
[QUOTE]But also, something else I just thought of, the young mother without a car and two kids probably wouldn't vote anyway maybe? Because how would she get to the voting booth? Or is it easier to get to a voting booth to the DMV? Because they're right next to each other here.  So Hockey, sounds like if the photo ID is too difficult to obtain, other forms of ID may be used? Am I reading that righT?
Posted by whitsy[/QUOTE]
On LI the voting booths are usually in the schools, often the elemterary schools. Mine is in walking distance. The DMV offices are way more out of the way and it can take hours there.<div>
<div>Can't you register to vote online now, though? I know I was able to switch parties online, but I'm not sure if you can outright register there.</div></div>

Simply Fated

I don't remember getting any kind of voting card when I first registered, but it was awhile ago. Also, they put me down for the wrong party, so I might have tossed it. 

We get a card with our info on it in the mail about a month or so before an election. It has our name on it, id number and it tells us where to go to vote.