Should Voters Be Required to Show Photo Identification to Vote?
As of Sep. 2023, 36 states have laws that either require or request that voters provide identification at polling places. Some states require a government-issued photo ID while other states allow non-photo identification such as a document showing the voter’s name and address.
National Conference of State Legislatures, “Voter ID Laws,” ncsl.org, Mar. 9, 2023
Former Candidates
PRO (yes)
Pro
“No debate on Election Security should go forward without first agreeing that Voter ID (Identification) must play a very strong part in any final agreement. Without Voter ID, it is all so meaningless!”
-Donald Trump, twitter.com, Aug. 13, 2019
CON (no)
Con
“Too many Americans face significant obstacles to exercising their fundamental right to vote. For generations, Black voters and other voters of color have faced discriminatory policies that suppress their vote. Voters of color are more likely to face long lines at the polls and are disproportionately burdened by voter identification laws and limited opportunities to vote by mail. Native Americans likewise face limited opportunities to vote by mail and frequently lack sufficient polling places and voter registration opportunities near their homes. Limited access to language assistance is an obstacle for many voters. People with disabilities face longstanding barriers in exercising their right to vote, especially when it comes to legally required accommodations to vote privately and independently. Members of our military serving overseas, as well as other American citizens living abroad, also face unnecessary challenges to exercising their right to vote.”
-White House, “Fact Sheet: President Biden to Sign Executive Order to Promote Voting Access,” whitehouse.gov, Mar. 7, 2021