Voter ID laws need expanding, not abolishing
Some suggest that Texas voter ID laws target minorities and discriminate against lower classes. | Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Minority-rights groups and Democrats were overjoyed this month when a federal court of appeals decided to strike down Texas’ controversial 2011 voting law which required a state-issued government ID to vote.
This law prevents possible voting fraud; without proof of identification, you could travel to multiple cities and cast your votes effortlessly and repeatedly. When asked about the law by the Texas Tribune, Gov. Greg Abbott said that “in light of ongoing voter fraud, it is imperative that Texas has a voter ID law that prevents cheating at the ballot box.”
Many believe that this law had the direct intention to keep the economically disadvantaged from voting, which in turn could influence the electoral race for the presidency. Texas is known for its strict conservative values, but was this law too harsh?
It can’t be denied that revisions need to be put in place to include other forms of identification allowing for a broader span of people, but the law should still be enacted.
Texas voting laws ensure that a non-state resident will not be able to vote, which is to keep them from determining a decision that affects everyone, who will elected.
Both Democratic and Republican parties seek any advantage to win a presidential election, but shining light on Texas for this enforced voter-protection law holds more water for Democratic influence.
The discriminatory aspect of the law lies in the plea that minority groups, which tends to lean Democratic, will not be able to vote, therefore making Texas a generally Republican voting state.
There are 33 states other than Texas that require a valid government issued ID to vote. The limelight is shown on Texas because it is a vastly growing state that houses many cultures.
No one stops to question other states that aren’t deemed conservative by most people, such as Arizona, which has an “average” conservatism rating according to Gallup, but also has a photo ID law to vote.
This ploy seems to play into more than just a “fight for equal voting rights” among groups, its more concerned with a Democratic attempt to level the playing field in ensuring it can gather as many votes as possible in states that may otherwise be deemed “Republican.”
Texas needs to reform this law, not abolish it.
Opinion columnist Phylicia Sneed is an English senior and may be reached at [email protected]
Loading ...