Requiring voters to produce a photo ID to prove they are who they say they are is a very different thing. The 2020 presidential election saw record-high voter numbers. It is also essential to have a photo identity card to buy Tatkal tickets. The type of ID that has to be presented varies. Voter ID Card Status - Check Status Over Here. 10 Facts That Will Blow Your Mind, 10 Mysteries About the 9/11 Terror Attack, 10 Reasons The Death Penalty Should Be Legal, 10 Reasons the USA Needs An All Female Supreme Court, Top 10 Fun Things to Do in Chicago, Illinois, 10 Things You Should Know about the History of Mother’s Day, 10 Reasons Why the Monkey is the Best Chinese Zodiac Sign, 10 Reasons Why the Goat Chinese Zodiac Sign Is the Best Sign, Top 10 Reasons School Uniforms Should Be Banned, Top 10 Reasons Jesus Christ Never Existed, 10 Reasons Why You Should Date a Man with a Beard, Top 10 Reasons Euthanasia Should Be Legal Everywhere, Affiliate, Paid, and Sponsored Post Disclosure, Thank you for your Sponsored Post Purchase. The 2016 election is expected to be very close and as such it is vitally important that American citizens can have confidence in the probity and accuracy of the electoral process. Many Americans do not have one of the forms of identification states acceptable for voting. ID they claim, is costly to obtain, and their statements are often backed with scary looking statistics that show large percentages of various minorities that do not have access to photo ID. The people of the United States have a responsibility to make their voices heard. So here is basically every reason why voter ID laws are unconstitutional, discriminatory and at odds with the ideals that the United States is supposed to represent, courtesy of U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman: 1. The election card acts as a proof of identity, age, and place of residence. At first glance this seems to be a valid point – voting should be easy and quick and anything that stands in the way of that should be eliminated. Voter ID requirements are, they say, a disproportionate response akin to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. The USA is a democracy. Verification entails a team being sent to your registered address. Under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, a state is not allowed to pass laws that "unduly burden" the right to vote. This apologist stance for fraud is nothing short of appalling. In 2000, Al Gore narrowly lost the Electoral College vote to George W. Bush. ID’d at the polls: Why voter ID laws are important in securing a fair election without fraud October 2, 2012 Staff . The right to vote is not dependent on whether the voter is more or less likely to be impacted by the results. Many States Already Require ID To Vote. If you live in a voter ID state, there is someone in your district who cannot vote because they don’t have the right ID. Once you have applied for your Voter ID, it is important to track its status to know whether your card has been approved and your name has been added to the electoral roll. Voter ID would appear to be a reasonable way to deal with the phenomenon, for all the reasons that common sense would dictate. Verifying voter identification is a no brainer. One of the most inclusive and simplified definitions of democracy: A system of the people run by the people for the people. There is also no suggestion that the free ID cards would need to be carried at all times and shown to law enforcement officials on request (something which would form a key part of a national identity card scheme). The nation, after all, was founded following a dispute about a lack of representation! Get passports or other identity cards. This provision can be extended nationwide. The claim is also illogical on its face, a sort of “what we see is all there is” assertion that makes no sense. More recently the 2000 election between George Bush and Al Gore saw a full machine recount across the state and a hand recount in several Florida districts. Another wider study confirmed the results from Indiana showing that voter ID requirements do not affect voter turnout. American Presidential elections are extremely close affairs. It includes several identifying features for accuracy.. Voter ID also known as Electoral Photo ID Card (EPIC) is a card issued by the Election Commission to confirm an adult citizen’s identity and his/her eligibility to vote in state, municipal and general elections. Requiring The Production Of Photo ID Does Not Reduce Voter Turn Out. 6. Voting is important because even though it is not a requirement, it is considered a civic responsibility. Voter ID law, in full voter identification law, any U.S. state law by which would-be voters are required or requested to present proof of their identities before casting a ballot. It is notable that the UK does not (in the majority of areas) require voters to provide ID in order to vote. It serves as an important proof of identity, address and age. Those who are opposed to the introduction of the requirement to produce photo ID prior to voting often like to claim that this is an unfair imposition, a bureaucratic hassle that represents an insurmountable hurdle to voting. The voter ID laws are, they claim, a cynical ploy by the Republicans to ensure their support stays high and prevent people voting for their opponents. So called ‘’strict’ ID laws require a voter to present ID. In 2012 Barack Obama and Mitt Romney were neck and neck with Obama only pulling ahead towards the end of the election to win with just 3.86% margin. States that do require photo ID ensure that it is easy to obtain a free government photo ID. They are also, so the claims often go, racially motivated. The simple truth is that most Americans are sensible, practical people who understand the need to ensure that the poll is secure and valid. One should vote because one gets to participate in the functioning of the government. Why Voter ID Laws Are Actually A Good Thing. The requirements to provide a valid photo ID will not prevent someone from exercising their democratic privilege. In August 2020, we celebrated two voting rights anniversaries. It is also a requirement, they say, that will disproportionately affect turnout amongst the young, the poor and minorities. Surely if the rules are as divisive, restrictive and annoying as the opponents like to claim there should be a majority campaigning against their introduction. Google+. Why Your Vote Matters If you ever think that just one vote in a sea of millions cannot make much of a difference, consider some of the closest elections in U.S. history. Republicans, and I am one, do not "hate" anyone. The fact that the pace of introduction of such legislation has increased its pace in recent years is attributed not to a desire to improve the security of the poll but rather to a base desire by Republicans to get revenge for the election of Obama as President. Harmonizing The Requirement Across All 50 States Makes Sense. An analysis of election history shows that only four presidents have received more than 60% of the popular vote (Presidents Harding, Franklin Roosevelt, Johnson and Nixon). There are no proposals to say that a free photo ID card would be the only acceptable form of photo ID, passports and driving licenses are currently acceptable in states with photo ID requirements and should continue to be so. Despite being unable to produce anyone who claimed the new laws were an impediment to their exercising the right to vote the Democrat party and others challenged their constitutionality. Most also believe that national ID cards would increase the potential for abuse of privacy, from government, from individuals and from corporations. The Election Commission of India - Year in Review (2014).
');(playerPro=window.playerPro||[]).push(i);})(); Photo ID for voting applies to everyone equally. As a federal democracy each state is entitled to control its own voting laws, although there are some similarities there are also some differences. The requirement to produce photo ID has not reduced voter turnout in locations in which it is required. The stubs prove that a voter has cast their vote but the actual vote itself is completely secret. Some states (both strict and non strict) require photo ID whereas non photo ID is acceptable in others. On a macro level, it's easy to think that you're just one person and that your vote doesn't make much of … (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (function(){var i='5CbpgT02ABHdB8Mh-um8FovvMuQm67Ewtc8uEdIuaplW7qYlRBmw';document.write('
4. Some states do have the number on the ballot itself as well as the stub but this has been declared constitutional by a federal judge has ruled that the constitution of the US does not guarantee a secret ballot. Government departments that focus on voter education are often highly scrutinized by a third party. List Land also generates revenue through sponsored or paid posts. It can serve as a photo identity in several situations such as when applying for a loan, at a domestic airport, to open a bank account, and so on. In other words we should be making it easier not harder to vote. Examples of address proofs- Electricity/Water Bill, Statement issued by Bank, Pan Card etc. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife, mountain biking in Southern California, and running. Because of this, they argue, voter ID measures result in widespread voter suppression. If they do not the vote is considered void. Election Commission of Delhi and its Uselfulness, Voting is a must because it’s your most sacred right in a democratic country, Your right is the at the heart of our democracy, Your chance to decide your future & that of your fellow citizens, Gives you the ultimate power to shape the destiny of your country. While it is rare voter fraud, when it happens, is a real issue and every time it happens it erodes voter’s faith in democracy. Buy tickets online, such as railway tickets for AC and non-AC classes. Research undertaken in Indiana (a state which opponents of voter ID claim has some of the most draconian photo ID requirements in the US) showed that voter turnout actually increased in the elections after the ID legislation was enacted. In 2008 the question of the legality of Indiana’s voter ID laws was brought before the Supreme Court. Help us create more great content. 2 recent passport size photographs, which would appear on the Elector’s Photo Identity Card. The split is often much closer and 18 elections returned a president with less than 50% of the vote (including Presidents Lincoln (first election), Wilson, Truman, Kennedy, Nixon (first election) and Clinton). But the groups opposing voter ID won’t let the facts get in their way. America’s voter registration system is fundamentally broken and is in serious need of an upgrade. In reality, however, these claims are nothing more than hyperbole. Federal ID cards are not a popular concept. Voting can help us choose able leaders who have qualities in them which can be beneficial for the growth of the country. The identification document did not have to include a picture; any document with the name of the voter sufficed. When asked most people responded that they believe voter ID rules are worthy of support. That is as it should be, the States are best placed to ensure that they have a voting system that is appropriate for and works for the needs of their residents but it does mean that registration and voting requirements are confusing, particularly for people who move state regularly. Asking someone to produce photo ID will not make it any easier or any harder for officials (or anyone else) to track how someone has voted, it will not change the status quo at all. Why is Voting Important in a Democracy. Proof of Residence, this is required to validate the address you provide while filling the Form No. Voter ID card is not a plastic card or smart card; it is a black and white bank size card. Reasons Why It Is Important To Vote. Voter ID Laws should be uniform nationwide and enforced. By Zoe Zorka. Everything You Wanted To Know About CEO Andhra. As a federal democracy each state is entitled to control its own voting laws, although there are some similarities there are also some differences. Voter ID laws provide a reliable form of identification to use.. Opponents of the introduction of photo based voter ID like to claim that it will compromise what many believe to be a key tenet of our democracy – the secret ballot. List of the Pros of Voter ID 1. It is also a means of keeping anti social elements away from power and thus, protect the interests of the common people. Vote Fraud Is A Real Issue – Photo ID Will Help To Combat It. However the laws are not partisan, they are designed to apply to everyone equally, ie a wealthy white who turns up to vote without photo ID would be treated exactly the same as a poor black. By withdrawing or restricting voting rights a state or nation is effectively telling someone that they are not important, that their voice does not deserve to be heard. The supreme court has taken steps to ensure that voter ID laws do not institutionally discriminate against groups of people. But seeing that this is the left we’re talking about, it’s not likely that they even believe their own arguments about the lack of voter fraud. The right to vote is a cornerstone of American Democracy and it is one that has been hotly contested throughout the history of the US. … Voter ID card is not a plastic card or smart card; it is a black and white bank size card. VOTING IS A DEMOCRATIC RIGHT GENERATIONS HAVE FOUGHT FOR, AND WE TAKE THAT SERIOUSLY. How to apply for Nirvachan card in India? Many have made the extreme claim that voter ID laws are akin to poll taxes. 1. Non strict states allow a voter who does not have ID to swear an affidavit as to their identity or be identified by a polling official if they are known to them personally. List Land gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. After all more than 100 other democracies require their voters to produce ID so why should it be controversial in the US. They value their right to vote and want to protect it and ensure that the power of their right to choose is not diluted by fraud. Why would you assume those who have to acquire an ID card would vote for any particular party? Current voting systems vary state to state. The reality is that photo ID is required to do a lot of things, to fly, to drive, to buy alcohol, open a bank account or even to access some government buildings, most Americans will, therefore already have some form of photo ID as a matter of course. Complainants counter these sensible policies with claims that the underlying documents required to obtain the free photo ID are costly but that is not the case. They insist that in certain areas, black and Hispanic Americans – especially those who are elderly – have trouble obtaining a state ID or driver’s license. Why is this? How to search your Name in any Voter List in India? This is another favorite statement of the anti-photo ID brigade that smacks of yet more hyperbole. Voting is equally important.” As one of our most sacred rights, voting allows us to guide the political climate of our country, affecting everything from taxation to government spending to zoning laws. The recent push by state governments to pass laws that would require voters to show identification in order to receive a ballot has sparked a great debate across the nation. Voter ID laws go back to 1950, when South Carolina became the first state to start requesting identification from voters at the polls. A court has even ruled that there is no constitutional right to a secret ballot (see above). In any event partisanship is a poor argument, after all if Democrats are so concerned that they will lose elections because of procedures designed to prevent voter fraud what does that say about the elections they have won! The Majority Of American Citizens Are In Favor Of Voter ID. The Founding Fathers worked hard to establish not only independence from foreign rule but to create a nation where the leaders were answerable to the people. Now that 34 states have passed some form of voter-ID legislation, it’s become clear that voters are not equally able to obtain ID cards. Voter education means providing citizens of a democracy with basic information about participating in elections. Voter education is often provided by the state itself, often through a national electoral commission, so it is therefore important that it is politically non-partisan. For these reasons we believe that photo ID should be required to vote in an American election. Many States Already Require ID To Vote. This claim is yet more hyperbole. Support List Land! With so many Americans and so many differences of opinion floating through our population, it may feel as though your voice and your vote will be drowned out by all of the noise. There are many reasons why voting is important, but here are our top three: REASONS WHY VOTING IS IMPORTANT 1. If only the same few people continue to vote, their opinions will be the only ones resulting in legislative change. Important national movements and political parties... Is Aadhar Card Mandatory for Voter ID Card Application? Accessing a photo ID is much more challenging for the young, the elderly, people of color, and people with low incomes. Former Democrat Congressman Artur Davis has said that voter fraud is a far more aggressive form of voter suppression amongst minorities (in Alabama) than the requirement for Voter ID. The Supreme Court agrees with him and have ruled the Texas ID laws (claimed by many minorities and Democrats to be too restrictive and divisive) are constitutional and valid. How to Apply for Voter ID Card online in Andhra Pradesh (AP)? A voter identification law is a law that requires a person to show some form of identification in order to vote. In recent years the debate on voting rights has centered on the question of voter ID – whether it is required to prevent fraud at the polls or whether regulations imposing the requirement to show ID before voting is an unfair restriction on the right to vote that disproportionately affects black and minority ethnic voters and those from the poorer segments of society. Many of the voter ID laws will first be tested in the 2012 presidential election. Thanks for reading, please support our sponsors. The question of voter ID proposals should not be the issue that it has become, it should be a ‘no brainer’ a simple, sensible decision. In 1970, Hawaii joined in requiring ID, and Texas a year later. Top 10 Reasons Photo ID Should Be Required To Vote. How to Check Your Voter ID Card Status on CEOAndhra.nic.in? It is, indeed, noteworthy that voter participation amongst minority communities actually increased following new ID requirements in Georgia, Indiana and Mississippi. If it is not one thing it is another – when opponents to photo voter ID’s complaints about a de-facto poll tax are answered (see above) they come up with another equally bizarre and outrageous complaint. As such it is not unreasonable to develop legislation that requires people to prove that they are who they say they are before they are entitled to vote. The right to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy and one that should be protected. This would be quick, simple and ensure that all school leavers have easy access to a free photo ID. We would like to know that only legal residents of the USA vote. This numbering of ballots is not unusual; in the UK the number of the voting slip is recorded against the name of the individual. They claim that it rarely happens and when it does it does not affect the outcome of the election in question. The Requirement To Produce ID Will Not Compromise The Anonymity Of The Vote Itself. Nevertheless the right to cast a vote is qualified. It recently occurred to myself and a small group of friends that all these new voter ID laws are not only an effort to suppress Democratic voters, but were legally redundant and, thus, unnecessary. When to fill Election Commission of India Form 6 ? We believe that Voter ID is important and have listed the top 10 reasons why. Voter fraud is a real and recognized problem. It will help you understand its importance in a democratic society. Voting is one of the most impactful things you can do for yourself and your community. The Requirement For Photo ID Is Not An Imposition Of A Federal Identity Card By The Back Door. That's one reason why, despite Alabama's restrictive voter ID law, black turnout in the recent Senate election still exceeded expectations. The claim that voter ID "suppresses" the turnout of minority voters is refuted by academic studies and election results in Georgia and Indiana in 2008 and 2010. Another popular complaint against the concept of voter ID requirements is the thought that requiring voters to pay to obtain ID is a de-facto poll tax and that their effect is exactly the same as that of the poll tax used by some Sothern states to prevent poor and black people from casting their votes. We want reassurance that no one is illegally using the ID of a dead person. One of the documents required is a birth certificate, a basic document that everyone needs to access certain services including schooling. It is no different to requiring all people to prove they are who they say they are at border crossings or when entering a government office. 3. In the event that the proposals for voter photo ID become a federal requirement it should be possible to issue free photo ID through schools as the teachers will be able to verify identity. But the photo-ID requirement is important, too, inasmuch as it is a worthwhile thing to be able to ensure that people showing up to vote are who they say they are. The requirement, they claim, will make people feel that it is too difficult to vote and therefore reduce voter turnout at elections. Delhi, the capital of India, is an important Union Territory for many other reasons too. In deciding in favor of the state’s laws the Supreme Court noted that there had been ‘flagrant examples’ of electoral fraud over the ages and that there was a real risk that such fraud could affect the outcome of elections.