Should Americans need Photo I.D. to vote?

Oh, how I WISH this could backfire on the Republicans and come back and bite them in the butt, but I'm afraid it might do exactly what they intend for it to do in my state of Pennsylvania. The group I think it's going to hurt the most is the elderly, those who no longer drive or possibly never did. The requirement is for a current valid photo I.D. so even if an elderly person has an expired driver's license that CLEARLY identifies him or her it won't be accepted. That means if my mother were still alive she'd be denied the right to vote despite the fact that she voted at the same polling place for over 50 years and never missed an election! What they're doing in PA is disenfranchising nearly 10% of voters over a "problem" that doesn't exist and never has. It even was clearly stated on the legal court filings by the GOP that there is no evidence of in person voter fraud and no reason to believe this law will prevent voter fraud. Why should people in their 80s or 90s, many of whom have health concerns, have to go through all the trouble and expense of going to a DMV, of which there aren't that many in PA so it's a long trip for some seniors, standing in line possibly for HOURS - I'm not exaggerating at all, been there, done that - and sometimes even having to go to other agencies for different documents to even be able to get state issued photo ID? They made this law here so restrictive and for no good reason at all. Student IDs and some military IDs aren't accepted because they have no expiration dates. This law is going to suppress the vote of the elderly, those who live in large cities, the poor, minorities and college students; guess how these groups usually vote? The Republican party in PA did their homework before coming up with this farce the same as the other swing states that have passed voter suppression laws. Annie

I don't really see the issue with this requirement. There are millions of people living in America and some of them are not authorized to vote whether because they are green card holders or illegal immigrants. Asking someone to show an I.D. to match their Voter's registration card should not be an issue. That should be standard procedure for everyone.

Sarah, you have the SSN system.. I think its secure... Suppose I'm an American.. (what a lovely idea!).. I go to voting booth. Tell 'em my SSN.. They retrieve my details on their computer, ask me a couple of security question, the answers to which only I'm supposed to know.. I answer correctly... Which implies my identity's confirmed... And they allow me to vote... Thats my imagination, though! In India, the ID is essential, because we don't have the unique identity or number.. But America's the best system to identify and retrieve the personal, professional details of an American... :-)

So it's possible to travel by air internally in the US without having a Passport or photo ID? I don't think that's doable here in Ireland and in the UK..mainly because being Smallish Island Nations,Air travel is about the most effective means of getting to a destination from here..Many of us would have passports.I'm not sure how it works with sea ferries to GB,(I haven't been on one since before I was old enough to drive!)but many passengers would be drivers,in either cars or trucks,so they'd have European spec. photo ID driving Licenses.. Less Schools and More Jails? Wouldn't education be a factor in staying out of Jail? Is there no tax revenue raised from people IN Jail?

Hi Sarah, I guess I don't really look into this issue that deep. Requiring a photo ID to vote seems like a pretty typical requirement to me. It doesn't seem like the government is trying to control the votes, but that's not to say there aren't ulterior motives behind the law. The way I look at it is it's probably an effort to keep people from voting twice. I heard of so many people doing that. They would vote by absentee ballot, and then they'd go to the polls on Election Day to vote. Some people were getting an extra vote. I'm not sure how this new law will affect the absentee vote, but maybe it will help.

I don't understand the American system. Photo ID is a passport or drivers licence I guess? and that costs money? Is that the gist of it?

If there is to be a photo ID it should be a nation-wide right, and not only available to the rich and white.

You need an ID for many things...why not voting? I don't mind showing an ID when I go through security at an airport...I don't mind showing my ID when I arrive in a foreign country....I don't mind showing an ID anytime it's asked of me....so why is it a big deal? All you have to do is get one and use it....even at Walmart when you use a check card....you have to show ID! Sometimes it for your own protection.

To me the purpose of having to have a photo I.D. to vote is to cut down on voter fraud. In my state voter fraud is a serious matter with scams to sign non-citizens up to vote happening all the time. Having to have an I.D. would at least make this a little harder to do than it is currently. Your view of politics is not very clear in what you wrote. My problem with both parties but in particular with the Democrats is that they are making government too big. The Democrats want as many people to be dependent on the government as possible because that is where they perceive there voter base to be. This increases taxes and increases the national debt.

I really dont see why this is such a problem! If you are a citizen, you would have no problem. It doesn't have to be a drivers license...all states offer a State ID..my grand daughter at age 9 got one cause she wanted to open a bank account and needed ID for that. They aren't hard to get if you are a citizen of this country. The problem is that so many get ballots, but they aren't citizens. They have no right to vote and shouldnt be allowed to vote..no matter their nationality or political preference. And those in jail...if they did't do a crime they wouldn't be there. I we have more in jail than free..that just means more jobs for those that don't break the laws to be able to work to pay the taxes to support the jails. I thinkt hat if they'd make the punishment fit the crime and STICK TO IT...and make them pay the punishment for the crime they commit...there'd be lot less in jail!

In my country everyone has to have his ID with his picture in order to vote. you have to get this ID in an identification bureau that is part of the government. The price of it, including the picture, is about US $6. Anyone can afford it in my country, even the very poor. And it is not a question about if you can afford it or not: you must. In my country there are lots of jobs where people are paid about US$20 a day. Nevertheless, they have the money for their IDs. I did not understand why would people from some races be discouraged from voting. By the way, some years ago the President of my country forgot his ID when he went to vote. He was asked for his ID (a must when voting) and he said he had left it at home,but surely they all knew him. The people at the voting table told him "we know you, Mr. President, but go home and bring your ID, please". I think THAT is democracy

The american ID prouve who you are so is verry imported in any state.Every citezen need to votle but it is a rule for that..We vote for our country for something better but not everytime will be something better.