Photo ID's downsides for voting (what photo ID pushers don't tell you)

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

Op/ed

Photo ID's downsides for voting

WINSTON-SALEM -- Requiring voters to present a photo ID at the polls sounds like a good idea - but it is everything we hate about government: a complex and expensive nonsolution to a problem that doesn't exist.
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At issue is not "voter ID" but rather the matter of imposing photo ID restrictions at the polling place. There's no problem, in general, with "voter ID," providing that there are many options for establishing identity, as there are in Alabama and Missouri, where many types of documents suffice.
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Currently 18 states require "voter ID," and eight states require "photo ID." These eight states, however, do not have a way to verify the ID. Someone determined to commit voter impersonation could simply use a fake ID. Obtaining fake ID cards is easy enough - kits can be bought cheaply. In reality, the most common and difficult to detect voter fraud happens in absentee balloting. Requiring picture IDs on Election Day does nothing to prevent that.

Legislators who wish to pursue photo ID requirements for voting must ensure that the law provides for free photo IDs and ensures that IDs are reasonably accessible to all eligible voters. The law must include sufficient voter education, outreach programs and poll worker training.

... more at the link
http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/03/12/1045800/photo-ids-downsides-for-voting.html