Defending Voter ID Laws

                The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday concerns the need to defend voter identification laws nationwide in order to protect the vote of eligible voters. Americans are required to show identification often for a variety of purposes. We show our ID to enter any federal building, to obtain fishing and hunting licenses and driving licenses, to get medical treatment, at airports, to withdraw money at banks and credit unions, and for numerous other experiences. Even though we use IDs often in our normal lives, liberals and progressives consider it an imposition to require an ID before voting. I personally find the whole situation an interesting study.

                Beverly Hallberg of The Daily Signal posted an interesting article titled “A Simple, 3-Step Approach to Defending Voter ID Laws” Hallberg states in her article that we “have solid logic on our side” when we support ID laws. She suggests three simple steps to use when in a discussion with anyone opposed to voter ID laws.

                Step 1 is to seek common ground. Everyone can agree that “we want free and fair elections” and “certain policies” must be in place to “safeguard the election process.” She continues, “Everyone has to go through the same process to obtain a valid ID, which makes the ID the great equalizer….” Just as rules are in place to require voters to be at least 18 years old and U.S. citizens, “It only seems reasonable that those seeking to cast a vote should have to show a valid ID to prove they meet the requirements assigned.”

                Step 2 is to cite examples using numbers and anecdotes. One example is citing the number of dead people who vote year after year. “The Daily Signal recently reported on the voter fraud taking place in California. An `investigation revealed that 265 deceased persons voted in Southern California, 215 of them in Los Angeles County.”

                Step 3 is to use the words that matter. “Those who oppose voter ID laws often feel they have ownership of the `emotional’ or `compassionate’ side of the debate. Use their language to help them see why this isn’t so. Not only are voter ID laws perfectly fair, they actually safeguard equal opportunity. Those who meet the requirements to vote should be allowed to vote – that’s fair and it safeguards the equal opportunity of all citizens.”

                We must take steps to prevent “fraud and abuse” in order to guarantee that every eligible vote counts without being “stolen or diluted.” Hallberg states that “Voting is not only a great honor, it is a great responsibility that should be taken seriously. So many brave men and women have died fighting for the right we have to vote. Showing an ID is the least we can do to honor their sacrifice and carry out our civic duty responsibly.”