Voter Identification Effects

The Effects of Voter Identification Laws
“To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain” (L’Amor 5). By writing this, the famous western novelist, Louis L’Amor explains that the backbone of democratic process depends the citizens to vote. A responsibility decides representatives as well as diplomatic viewpoints. Corruption, on the other hand leaves citizens not properly represented. This has led supporters to stress the importance of keeping our elections clean, however critics of regulation such as voter identification laws acclaim that heavy regulation causes a skewed turnout in minorities voters.
In recent elections, politicians have called to attention
The implementation of voter identification laws serves as an obstacle, keeping people from casting an false ballot, or voting twice. A South Carolina newspaper, SC NOW, "Photo IDs…will make it far more unlikely by creating a significant…barrier to its success. It's difficult to see how that's a bad idea" ("Voter Identification"). Voter identification laws make the voting slightly more difficult to cast a ballot. At the same time, making it more challenging to execute fraudulent votes or swing elections. Thus, such legislation will keep ballot boxes
A study performed by Dr. Stephen Ansolabehere, political science professor at Harvard University, found that voter identification measures are being exercised unfairly among minority voters. He reported that 53% of white voters were asked to show a form identification, were as 73% of African Americans reported being consulted by polling staff ("Voter Identification"). This clearly shows they are being used for alternative purposes based in racial profiling. Voters in minority groups have a harder time casting a ballot. He expresses that these laws are comparable to Jim Crow Laws that allowed segregation. Voter identification laws make it simpler for poll workers to show unfair and unnecessary prejudice. Ansolabehere later states the racist implantation of these measures are in violation of Voting Rights Act of 1965, which states discriminatory voting procedures ("Voter Identification"). Critics also argue that similar measures are directed at minorities to deter them from voting. These groups include the disabled, elderly, low-income and other minority’s that may not have the access an identification. This can be found in all of the states 30 states with voting regulations are controlled by the Republican majorities in the state legislature ("Voter Identification"). From this, we can conclude that these laws are not only to keep the polls clean; they are passed to