The Great American Voter ID Debate of 2016

For a while now, there has been a debate regarding the identification process of the United States presidential election. Many of the states in America passed laws a few years back that required people to show up with photo identification in order to be allowed to vote. The claim was that this would reduce the amount of fraud that individuals could commit when they were voting for a candidate. The main problem, however, with these laws was that up to half a million people were then automatically prevented from electing their preferred candidate. This meant that the number of people taking part in each election was drastically reduced.

Royalty free photo

The Problem

One of the main issues with the laws that were passed was that it is quite difficult to obtain photo identification in the United States. The most common form of photo identification in America is a driver’s license. There are many people, however, who do not drive or are unable to get a driver’s license. The other option for identification involves passports – another luxury that many people cannot afford. The individual states and communities in the United States also do little to offer people means of identifications. Very few municipalities actually provide their individual residents with photo identification.

This means that several different types of individuals are being left out of the voting system in the United States. In particular, many people feel as though the minorities in America are being discriminated against. It is after all, these individuals who have the most problems with getting adequate identification.

The Solution

One of the easiest solutions involves overturning the laws that have been placed by the government. This would effectively mean that most – if not all – people in the United States would be free to cast their ballots. This would certainly mean that more people would be showing up at the polls.

The other solution is for the American government to improve their method of issuing identification. Take for instance, the Voter ID situation in India. India has the largest democracy in the world. It is estimated that over eight hundred million people are eligible to vote. The Indian electoral system also requires its citizens to be armed with identification. The government, however, provides a means for the people to obtain this identification. Thus, this means that this method can work but only if the government ensures that each person has an equal chance of getting their identification.

The Players

The voting debate has been particularly prominent in the 2016 elections. As with most arguments, a line has been drawn between the Democrats and the Republicans regarding this particular subject matter. The Republicans are in staunch approval of creating voter ID citing that it will minimize the amount of fraud that is committed. The Democrats, conversely, believe that such laws are in direct violation of most people’s elective rights. They also believe that people are being discriminated by the presence of such laws.

It is difficult to say whether or not there will be a turn of events regarding this topic. As the presidential elections grow nearer, each party will struggle to make sure their stance is passed. There is just as much possibility, however, that these laws will continue unchallenged until the next election.