The Fight For Voter Identification

Voter identification is one of many ways to prevent voter fraud. For whatever reason, it seems that one particular political party seems to oppose voter identification even after evidence of voter fraud–non-citizens voting, dead people voting, hundreds of people claiming to live in a parking lot registering to vote, etc. In November, North Carolina will have a referendum on the ballot allowing voters to approve or disapprove of voter identification.

Civitas Institute, a North Carolina based group, posted an article last week showcasing international voter identification laws.

The article reports:

However, many countries hailed as more voter-friendly than the United States have voter ID laws in place.

Norway mandates that voters present a photo ID, including a “passport, driving license, or bank card that includes a photo,” to vote.

Voters in Northern Ireland must present an “acceptable photo identification” to cast an in-person ballot.

Germany requires that voters bring a state-issued voter identification card, but they can substitute another form of ID for that card if they fail to deliver it at the polls.

Ballots in Switzerland are issued by mail, and voters who return their ballots in person are required to show an ID and a state-issued polling card to do so.

France requires a voter ID.

Israel requires a voter ID.

Mexico requires a voter ID.

Iceland requires a voter ID.

It seems like common sense to want to know who is voting.

The article concludes:

Civitas has already pointed out that North Carolina’s constitutional amendment would bring the state into the mainstream within the country since 34 other states already require voter ID in some form.

Voter identification is innocuous among a majority of US states and various countries across the world. There is no reason to believe North Carolina would be the exception.

Collins claimed that the United States makes voting more difficult for its citizens than its peer countries and implied that voter ID requirements compound that disparity. Since many Western democracies also implement voter ID requirements, we rate this claim as false.

I will vote to support the implementation of voter identification. It is understood that the state will provide identification cards free for anyone who needs them. Most residents would be willing to drive anyone who needs transportation to wherever they need to go to obtain a voter identification card. Works for me.