National Voter ID Law

Liberty
487

Proposal for the SAVE Act with Enhanced Voter Protections and Accessibility Measures

Overview

To secure and streamline the electoral process, we propose advancing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act with additional measures that ensure equal access for all eligible voters, prevent disenfranchisement, and enhance election integrity. The enhanced version of the SAVE Act will include free issuance of voter IDs where necessary, the acceptance of REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses, and the use of photo ID for requesting both in-person and absentee ballots.

Key Provisions of the Enhanced SAVE Act

  1. Free Government-Issued Voter IDs for Election Purposes

    • Objective: Ensure that no voter is financially burdened by the requirement to obtain an ID for voting.
    • Action Plan:
      • Mandate that all states provide free voter IDs to citizens lacking a valid form of identification, ensuring broad accessibility.
      • Set up easily accessible issuance centers in rural, urban, and underserved areas to minimize travel and time barriers.
      • Allow residents to apply for these free voter IDs via online portals or by mail, in addition to in-person applications, to accommodate all voters.

  2. Acceptance of REAL ID Compliant Driver’s Licenses

    • Objective: Simplify voter ID requirements by accepting REAL ID driver’s licenses and state-issued IDs, which are widely used and meet federal identification standards.
    • Action Plan:
      • Designate REAL ID compliant licenses and IDs as acceptable forms of identification at polling places nationwide.
      • Educate voters and election workers on the acceptance of REAL ID to streamline the voting process and avoid confusion at polling stations.

  3. Use of Photo ID for Requesting Paper and Absentee Ballots

    • Objective: Add an additional layer of security to the absentee ballot process while ensuring that it remains accessible to all voters.
    • Action Plan:
      • Require voters to present a photo ID when requesting a paper or absentee ballot, whether in person or online. This step will help verify identity and eligibility without adding undue complexity to the voting process.
      • Allow voters to securely upload a scanned image of their ID for online ballot requests or to submit a copy by mail for absentee voting applications, ensuring that ID requirements do not create an obstacle to absentee voting.

Implementation and Accessibility Enhancements

  1. Voter Education Campaigns

    • Launch a national, bipartisan voter education initiative to inform the public about the SAVE Act’s requirements, including how to obtain a free ID, the types of acceptable identification, and the steps for requesting absentee ballots.
    • Ensure educational materials are available in multiple languages and accessible formats, including large print, braille, and audio formats, to reach all segments of the voting population.

  2. Accessibility Support for Vulnerable Populations

    • Collaborate with community organizations to provide assistance in obtaining free voter IDs, especially for elderly, disabled, low-income, and minority communities.
    • Establish a national hotline to assist voters with questions about the ID requirement, how to obtain a free ID, and the absentee voting process.

  3. Monitoring and Evaluation of Impact on Voter Participation

    • Establish a federal task force to monitor the impact of the SAVE Act on voter participation rates, with special attention to any issues that may arise in underserved communities.
    • Mandate an annual report to Congress assessing the Act’s effectiveness, accessibility, and compliance, with recommendations for improvements if any disparities in voter access are identified.

Conclusion

This enhanced version of the SAVE Act seeks to ensure that all eligible American citizens have fair and secure access to voting while upholding the integrity of the electoral process. By implementing free voter IDs, recognizing REAL ID compliant licenses, and reinforcing secure absentee voting procedures, the SAVE Act can achieve its goals of election security without compromising voter accessibility. This balanced approach will foster greater public trust in the electoral process and uphold the democratic values fundamental to our nation.

1 Like
488

Why Voter ID Laws Won’t Prevent Voter Fraud

Voter ID laws, which require individuals to present a valid form of identification before casting a ballot, are often proposed as a solution to prevent voter fraud. Supporters argue that such laws are necessary to ensure the integrity of elections. However, evidence shows that these laws are not an effective deterrent to voter fraud and, in fact, may introduce significant barriers to voting for eligible citizens, particularly among marginalized communities. By examining the limited prevalence of voter fraud, the impact on voter turnout, and the challenges of implementing these laws, it becomes clear that Voter ID laws are unlikely to solve the problem they are intended to address.

Limited Evidence of Voter Fraud

One of the primary reasons voter ID laws are ineffective in preventing fraud is that voter fraud is exceedingly rare. Numerous studies have demonstrated that instances of in-person voter impersonation—the type of fraud that Voter ID laws aim to prevent—are virtually nonexistent. For example, a comprehensive analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice found that voter fraud occurs at a rate of about 0.0003% to 0.0025% of all votes cast. Another report from the Washington Post analyzed over 1,000 documented cases of voter fraud between 2000 and 2014 and found only a small fraction involved in-person voting fraud, with most incidents relating to absentee ballots or voter registration fraud. This rarity suggests that Voter ID laws may be a solution in search of a problem. Instead of addressing a widespread issue, such laws target a non-existent or highly limited threat, diverting resources away from more pressing concerns, such as ensuring access to voting for all citizens.

Impact on Voter Turnout

Although voter ID laws may not address a significant issue of fraud, they do have an impact on voter participation. Research has shown that these laws disproportionately affect certain groups of voters, including minorities, elderly individuals, students, and low-income citizens, who may be less likely to possess the required forms of identification. For instance, a 2017 study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that strict voter ID laws in some states were associated with a reduction in voter turnout—particularly among African American, Latino, and young voters. This is largely due to the cost and logistical challenges of obtaining a government-issued ID, which may not be easily accessible to these groups. Low-income individuals, for example, may lack transportation to acquire an ID or be unable to pay for the necessary documentation, such as a birth certificate, to obtain one.

In states with stringent Voter ID requirements, disenfranchisement becomes a real concern. According to a 2014 study by the Brennan Center for Justice, approximately 11% of U.S. citizens—roughly 21 million Americans—lack government-issued photo IDs, and this gap disproportionately affects people of color. As a result, Voter ID laws risk excluding a significant portion of the population from participating in elections, undermining the democratic principle of universal suffrage.

The False Premise of Fraud Prevention

Voter ID laws assume that fraud is a widespread problem and that simply requiring voters to show identification at the polls will deter would-be fraudsters. However, the types of fraud that Voter ID laws attempt to prevent—such as voter impersonation—are far less common than other forms of election misconduct. Studies show that most voter fraud occurs in forms such as absentee ballot fraud, vote-buying, and registration fraud, none of which are addressed by Voter ID laws. Focusing on voter impersonation is a misallocation of resources when the real issues are related to absentee ballots, registration errors, or problems with voting machines and polling place operations.

In fact, many states already have existing safeguards in place to prevent fraud, such as voter registration rolls, signature verification, and post-election audits. These measures, combined with improved voter education, are far more effective in ensuring election security than implementing costly and restrictive ID laws.

Voter ID laws do not effectively prevent voter fraud, as fraud itself is extremely rare in the first place. These laws can create unnecessary obstacles for eligible voters, particularly among vulnerable populations who are less likely to possess the required forms of identification. By focusing on a non-issue like voter impersonation, Voter ID laws risk disenfranchising millions of eligible citizens without addressing the actual problems in the election system. Instead of enacting restrictive laws that disproportionately affect certain groups, policymakers should focus on expanding access to the ballot and improving the integrity of elections through means that are both effective and inclusive.

489

Dido. I concur with everything you said! It’s ridiculous how we need I’d for everything else. Every other country requires a voter ID.

490

Yes to Only Paper Ballots because everything can be hacked. Also, who thinks it’s a good idea to remove any portion of the vote tally from a plurality of voters- to hide it in another domain wrapped in algos which are foreign language to most? Not me. The process should be available and understandable. Machine tallies have resulted in an inability to prove integrity and extreme INefficiency.

2 Likes
491

Yes but not the realID our identification that we already have are sufficient

492

This is why voter id should be required in requesting absentee/paper ballots. A scanned ID attached to the absentee ballot request, with a generated barcode /QR code printed on the actual individual ballot, linking that piece of paper to the ID that it is requested under would help to eliminate ballot dumping.

493

I agree, and would like to add that the presidential election in November should be a national holiday. It would eliminate most excuses not to or can’t vote due to employment, etc.

494

Single election day with all in-person voting. Absentee ballots can be requested with cause ahead of time, and must be received by Election Day. Votes all need to be counted right away.

495

That’s an interesting idea. I think there needs to be a way to track when a registered voter is deceased. This way they come off of the voter registration books.

496

There should be no provision for those who do not have a photo id. Photo id is required for many activities in life. Allowing a provisions for those without an photo ID makes the voting process vulnerable.

497

I think each ballot should have a serial number on it along with date and time of voting. Our dollar bills have serial numbers, even concert tickets do, too. Why shouldn’t our ballots have the same?

498

I think we should have voter id we have it for everything else and if there are some people that can’t then the state they live should cover the cost! They take enough of our money it can go to a good cause!!

499

This is a far left argument, based on lies.

First off its racist. I know alot of minorities, none are as stupid as you make them out to be. They all got drivers licenses as easy as i did.

If voter ID didn’t work, why is Id required for so many things? Why will it only not work for voting?

No evidence of fraud? Its been proven multiple times. Pointed out by both sides. How about those 15million votes that suddenly disappeared now that mail in voting wasnt pushed like it was in 2020?

Only reason for not wanting ID to vote like everything else, is because a certain group completely depends on cheating

500

Agree with all of this! But to add to the exception list: healthcare workers who can’t make it same day, over the road truckers, and college students.

501

Make election day a national holiday, this is done in other countries. Make voting accessible and a priority.

1 Like
502

You need an ID to buy cigarettes, alcohol, to open a bank account, to apply for Social Security, Medicaid, unemployment, apply for a mortgage, car loans, to get on a plane, to go on a cruise outside of America, to get married, to buy a gun, to adopt a pet, to rent a hotel room, to get a fishing or hunting license, to get some prescriptions, to be a blood donor, to hold a protest or rally, etc., And, don’t forget during covid 19 we had to show proof of vaccination in some cases. So, why not for voting?

1 Like
503

It should be an ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT to show ID to vote in US elections! The ridiculous notion that is flat out racist, that minorities cannot acquire ID is just INSULTING to ALL minorities! We have ID for everything we do on a daily basis. This would ensure security in our elections!

504

The most important way to begin the restoration of the faith in the people of transparent, fair and accurate elections where we believe our vote counts is to require voter ID. (If you have to show it to buy alcohol or drive, you can show it to vote!) So many policies beyond that should be implemented as well, a required day off from work with proof of having voted during a certain time period. Paper ballots requiring an official seal or watermark, (If they can put them on official sports merchandise they can put them on ballots!). Tightening up on absentee ballots. Mandatory cleanup and accuracy of voter registration rolls. (If the can regularly verify if you have car insurance, they can regularly verify what voter rolls you should/shouldn’t be on!) Ample planning, staffing and convenient facilities for voting. (We used to all vote in one day and have results in 24 hrs and that was before all this technology. No one should stand in line for hours or be turned away from the polls. And the people shouldn’t have to wait days or weeks for election results for any reason including “mail in ballots” if you can mail it, you can mail it on time!) Mandatory equal political party poll watching/ballot processing election facility manpower, vetted and trained, just like jury duty. It is our civic duty to make this happen.

505

Yes. Repeal motor voter.

1 Like
506

I agree with everything but I don’t see why early voting can’t be counted early as long as the results are kept private until the polls are closed on election day. This needs to be passed on day 1.

1 Like