Requiring photo-ID as a protection of our election system

To: Opinion Editor

Contact: Jim Dyke, 843-722-9670

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is an op-ed by Mark "Thor" Hearne, counsel to the American Center for Voting Rights:

Common Sense for our Democracy

In 21st century America, we require a photo ID to drive cars, cash checks, buy a beer, travel and rent videos. Almost every convenience store counter in America has a sign that announces "ID REQUIRED." Photo ID requirements ensure that people are who they say they are. The requirement has been established as sound public policy to address the unfortunate willingness of some to lie, cheat, or steal. Our local polling places are surely more important and sacred than the local 7-11 store. So why not our elections?

Requiring photo-ID as a protection of our election system is increasingly becoming an issue that both parties can agree on. Former Atlanta mayor and U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young stated that "requiring ID can help poor people" in an age when people must have it to rent videos or cash a check. He noted that Georgia is working with the NAACP and other groups to send the state voter ID bus to go to neighborhoods of their choosing. National Public Radio commentator and author of a definitive book on the civil rights movement, Juan Williams, recently told Fox News: "I'm telling you, ID is a good thing. We want a credible election process in this country for everybody..." Finally, former President Jimmy Carter, who co-chairs the Carter-Baker Commission for election reform, has joined the Commission's recommendation that voters provide photo ID before casting a ballot.

In the face of common sense the ACLU, the Democratic Party and their liberal allies continue to oppose the requirement that a voter establish their identity with a government-issued photo ID. They have already attacked Indiana and Georgia for passing photo ID laws. They claim that government-issued photo ID is an unconstitutional "poll tax" even when the ID is free of charge. They continue to apply their outdated model to a new world.

These left-wing political groups claim that requiring voters to present photo ID will discriminate against homeless, elderly and low-income citizens. Nothing could be further from the truth. Requiring a voter to provide ID can not and will not discriminate against any American citizen who is eligible to vote. For the past two centuries, America has made tremendous strides extending the franchise to every citizen older than 18, regardless of sex, race, income status, or political preference. The Voting Rights Act has played an important role in ensuring this progress and will continue to do so. Voter ID does nothing to take away the treasured rights for which so many Americans have sacrificed. The only obligation for a voter to obtain a photo ID is for the voter to be photographed. That is all. No cost to the voter. No proof of property ownership or income status. No literacy tests. No special poll taxes. No proof of religion or oath.


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The requirement of a photo ID for everything in our society is not in the interests of safety and security-it is for surveillance, pure and simple. No thanks.

I actually think a photo ID card, IF it is easy to obtain, is the best way to stop all the bullshit Republican harassment at the polls.

You can't challenge someone if they have their picture on their voter registration card.

Again, the key is getting the cards into peoples hands. If the process is made difficult, the ID card would be a failure, and I would oppose it.

or it is a poll tax

The whole thing seems like a non-issue to me. ID cards, no ID cards... whatever. Gimme paper that can be counted and counted again, if need be -- not electronic ones and zeroes that can be tweaked by a programmer or political operative and no one is the wiser

.. which they should have, a PHOTO CARD.

They can't 'charge' you for registeration, you get a voter registeration card anyway...

End of Problem?