Exercise Your Right to Vote: Voter ID and Registration
In the United States, citizens vote to choose presidents, governors, legislators and other public officials. The right to vote or cast ballots means that elected officials will face voters, who will decide who should hold office. Early in our nation’s history, the right to vote (sometimes called the “franchise”) was limited. Not all Americans could vote. Women and minorities were generally denied the right to vote. But gradually, Americans gained the right to vote. Early in the Twentieth Century, the people changed the Constitution and women were given the right to vote. Congress passed the 1965 Voting Rights Act and gave African American citizens the right to vote. Later, laws were enacted ensuring that disabled citizens could not be denied the franchise.
Some believe that true equality exists in today’s America; others disagree and in part argue that voter identification laws, which gained currency in the early 2000s, burden voters and suppress voting; others argue it prevents voter fraud. Obviously, there are both pros and cons for voter ID laws, and the courts are split on the issue. Some courts have upheld these laws. On October 18, 2014, the Supreme Court allowed Texas to keep its voter ID law in force until other proceedings in lower courts run their course. On the other hand, on January 17, 2014, a court struck down the Pennsylvania voter ID law. These laws’ stated purpose is to stop nefarious individuals from posing as registered voters and voting. Nevertheless, this deterrent may work with in-person voter fraud; proponents of these laws argue that other forms of fraud such as absentee ballot-casting and double voting may still persist. Others hold completely different views and argue that voter ID laws impede voting and voters and intentionally or unintentionally prevent minorities and the poor from casting their ballots. A PBS article “Why Voter Id Laws Aren’t Really about Fraud” told the story of a black Texas “grandmother who could not afford the $25 fee to purchase her birth certificate in order to get an ID.” The article also reported that “an elderly African-American veteran and long-time voter was turned away at the polls in 2013 despite having three types of ID, because none qualified under the new [Texas] law.”
Tennessee voters are required to present their identifications with their names and photographs before casting their ballots. The Tennessee government website lists some information about which IDs are acceptable. Tennessee voting officials accept a “Tennessee driver license with your photo, United States Passport, Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government, United States Military photo ID, or Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo.” However, “college student IDs and photo IDs not issued by the federal or Tennessee state government are NOT acceptable. This includes county or city issued photo IDs, such as library cards, and photo IDs issued by other states.”
Some opponents of the voter ID laws argue that they are a form of discrimination and have the same effect as a poll tax, which the courts struck long ago. Undoubtedly, voter ID laws have the effect of making it more difficult for a substantial number of citizens to cast their votes and let their voices count. To a person with limited means, paying for or securing a qualifying identification may effectively deny her or him the right to vote.
Some people feel that their vote is meaningless, and they rationalize that voting requires them to take time from work or other commitments, go to a precinct or election office, wait in line, and fill out forms before actually voting; however, elections matter and when enough voters focus on issues that are important to them, elected officials listen. The right to vote is precious and was gained through blood, tears and sacrifice. When we vote, we honor our forebears and all those who struggled, fought, endured and sometimes died to gain or preserve the right. If you do not vote, your voice will not be heard. So, regardless of which candidates or issues that you support or oppose, learn about the candidates and the issues and exercise your right and cast your vote. Every vote is important. The reality is crystal clear: Every citizen’s vote counts just the same as a governor’s or a president’s. So, vote.
If you are denied the right to vote, even on election-day, contact attorney Perry A. Craft to learn your rights. The right is too precious to allow any high or petty official or man to take it away.
Perry A. Craft has dedicated his life to helping people in need. He has tried, settled, or resolved numerous civil and criminal cases in State and Federal courts, and has represented teachers and administrators before school boards, administrative judges, and the state Board of Education. Learn more about Attorney Craft.