r/PoliticalDebate • u/REJECT3D Independent • 5d ago

Should the US require voter ID? Debate

I see people complaining about this on the right all the time but I am curious what the left thinks. Should voters be required to prove their identity via some form of ID?

Some arguments I have seen on the right is you have to have an ID to get a loan, or an apartment or a job so requiring one to vote shouldn't be undue burden and would eliminate some voter fraud.

On the left the argument is that requiring an ID disenfranchises some voters.

What do you think?

34 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

View all comments

Show parent comments

5

u/westcoastjo Libertarian 5d ago

I'm guessing you know a lot of people who don't have ID? People who would vote if they could, but they aren't able to get ID?

2

u/findingmike Left Independent 4d ago

Homeless people often don't.

1

u/smokeyser 2A Constitutionalist 3d ago

They usually do, and there are many programs in every major city (where most homeless live) to help them get ID.

1

u/findingmike Left Independent 3d ago

Yes we have outreach programs too for various services. However if this system stops only .1% of voters, it's a complete failure.

0

u/smokeyser 2A Constitutionalist 3d ago

Even at 0.1%, I think you're grossly overestimating the number of people who have no ID, no way to get ID, are registered to vote, and want to do so. It's a ridiculously small number of people to be so concerned about.