Why is an ID mandate for voting such a problem?

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

Why is an ID mandate for voting such a problem?
Not trying to be narrow minded, I have to ask. If an ID is required for virtually everything from international travel to purchasing alcohol, then what’s the big deal with VOTING FOR OUR COUNTRY’S LEADERSHIP? That one should definitely require ID, in my opinion. Why am I wrong? Unlike many folks, I won’t be afraid to ask

,______

Za_Lords_Guard_01
•56m ago
It's being pushed in a bad faith effort to disenfranchise as many people as possible. Something conservatives have been working on since the 1960s.

Back in I want to say 2015, Alabama passed a voter ID law. Then within a year, shut down every dmv in counties that where the majority population was a minority. It left some people having to drive over 160 miles one way in order to get an ID in order to vote. It was so bad that the conservative heavy supreme court struck down the law as being too racist.

Next, look at Texas. When they passed their voter ID law, the banned IDs that democrats are more likely to have (college IDs), while allowing IDs that conservatives are more likely to have (hunting license).

And it's played out like this every time a voter ID law has been passed.

Now, with the SAVE act they're trying to shove down our throats, anyone who doesn't have an ID that proves citizenship can't vote unless they have documents that match their ID or a passport. Only 5 states issue IDs that prove citizenship.

Passports cost $160+ and can take months to get. If your birth certificate and government issued ID doesn't show the same name, then you can't vote under the SAVE act. So my sister, whose birth certificate shows Natosha, but ID shows Natasha, wouldn't be able to vote. My mom, whose ID shows Wilson, but birth certificate shows Everett, couldn't vote. My birth certificate shows my government name, but my ID shows the nickname I have gone by my entire life, so I wouldn't be able to vote.

There's more to it than that, but I'm not going to try to summarize multiple books here. If you want to take a deep dive into the whole thing, pick up the following books.
Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America
One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression Is Destroying Our Democracy
The Court v. The Voters: The Troubling Story of How the Supreme Court Has Undermined Voting Rights
The Scheme: How the Right Wing Used Dark Money to Capture the Supreme Court
The Right To Vote The Contested History Of Democracy In The United States


https://www.reddit.com/r/askanything/comments/1szsgx9/why_is_an_id_mandate_for_voting_such_a_problem/

[Redleg]

1. A hunting license as ID? Jeebus.

This reminds me that I once successfully used my fishing license to get into a bar when I was under-age.

[70sEraVet]

9. I don't know about hunting license as ID to vote. But gun permits are kosher

in many states. Tennessee and Texas accepts handgun permits -- don't know how many others.
The point is, the acceptance of one type of ID while rejecting others games the system. I envision a time when showing a Presidential Pardon will be the only acceptable form of ID to vote!

[Emile]

2. Retired nuns barred from voting in Indiana

(I'll never forget this story)

At least 10 retired nuns in South Bend, Indiana, were barred from voting in today's Indiana Democratic primary election because they lacked photo IDs required under a state law that the supreme court upheld last week.

John Borkowski, a South Bend lawyer volunteering as an election watchdog for the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said several of the retired nuns had been voting all of their lives but were told they lacked the required identification cards and could only file provisional ballots.

Since 2005, Indiana's toughest-in-the-nation law requires every voter to produce a state or federal photo ID card. The supreme court, after weighing scores of legal briefs from conservatives who backed the statute and liberals who opposed it, upheld the law by a 6-3 vote, saying there was little evidence that it was unduly burdensome for voters.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/may/07/uselections2008.usa

[Orangenero]

60. How were they doing in the past?

Indiana has had voter id for 20+ years and has not changed?

[Emile]

62. This was years ago. Google it.

[hlthe2b]

3. Let's simplify it. Voter ID is NOT the issue. It is RESTRICTIVE ID... That means the type

of IDs that take time, money, and investigative resources for some (who don't have a birth certificate for whatever reason and whose parents are long gone or non-responsive). Those who live in the same state of birth maintain it is easy to get a birth certificate. Sure, if you can take time off from work, drive down to the state or county office, and produce the considerable documentation and fee to receive one. Alternatively, if you have those same documents, you can do so via mail, but most states require a certified submission. And if you are doing so outside the state, the same level of documentation, but beyond the fees, may be some pretty substantial mailing fees that include a special (beyond USPS) tracking. You think you already have one in that baby book your mother carefully created? Well, unless you have used it to get a passport, I would not be so sure. Many people think the hospital-issued certificate of birth is a birth certificate, but in actuality, it is a keepsake document with no legal authority. Whereas a certified birth certificate is a government-issued legal document, often with a raised seal, needed for official identification, passports, and school enrollment. The hospital document is just a souvenir, whereas the state-issued certificate is the official proof of birth.

The birth certificate has always and can continue to prove your citizenship for MOST (for now). That is, as long as birthright citizenship is not overturned, causing ALL of us to prove the citizenship of our parents as well.

So, you say, you will just get a passport or renew one? Well, on the former, you are going to need those certified birth certificates (I say plural because you are nuts if you trust that it might not get misplaced during the process. Everyone should have at least two certified copies. The cost and hoops one must jump through the first time (or if yours has already expired) are considerable. If all were required to have one, the time to get an appointment for processing, not to mention the turnaround time to receive one may leave one incredulous and far too late for many for upcoming elections or other purposes.


So, that quaint little term, "Voter ID," is just that. So, Dems who think that is all they are talking about and want to sound "reasonable" by agreeing with "VOTER ID" as a measure and concept, need to stop it right now!!!! The RW and Trump want it to be, in reality, a RESTRICTIVE ID to rule out as many as possible from voting. STOP using the term "VOTER ID," which most see as innocuous and nonproblematic--just your routine driver's license or other ID. NOPE, the measure SAVE ACT and others being promoted are for RESTRICTIVE ID--those that "prove" citizenship and perhaps in the future, will require proving that of one's parents too, if "birthright" citizenship is overturned by SCOTUS.

In that vein, I would ask the OP, whose post I agree with- after it gets to the lower half, but leads the reader to initially think they are "agreeing with what is only to be "voter ID," to be cautious of that. Many do not have time to read long posts, so the subject line and first paragraph may be all they read. We cannot allow the RW to mask their intent under the guise of simple "voter ID."

[PatrickforB]

10. Words matter - to your point, maybe we should all begin referring to these as 'restrictive ID laws.' n/t

[W_HAMILTON]

12. This is exactly the reason.

Have people never voted before? You have always had to ID yourself. The issue isn't ID, it's what is and isn't allowed as ID.

Republicans want to restrict many forms of ID that were sufficient and worked just fine for decades. They do this to disenfranchise more voters because fewer voters almost always equate to Republican victories.

[questionseverything]

30. We don't show id at the polls in Illinois although we do show it to register

[Attilatheblond]

33. But a big new issue if SAVE passes (meaning save Republican pols' asses) is name matching birth certificate surname

Women who took/take spouse's surname (and JD Vance) do not meet that requirement and incur costs in time and money to get passports as a work-around, which is a poll tax on millions. And now passports will have Trump's face one them? Yeah, that's another deterrent right there.

[jfz9580m]

15. Rec.nt

[Liberal In Texas]

4. It's essentially a poll tax.

Not everyone has the kind of ID they want people to have to present.
Those kind of IDs cost money. Passport, drivers license or almost any other license with a picture. Significantly Texas won't allow college IDs. Which shows it's an effort to aid in voter suppression.

Many many years ago, you could use the bill for your utilities to show where you lived. It was mainly to make sure you could vote in that particular precinct.

To make the elderly and poor go buy photo ID they would require is voter suppression.

[Johonny]

18. Yup, unless the ID is a right, issued for free

And readily available, it's a clear poll tax.

Even so, people have been voting for 250 years without this bullshit. The fraud thus is supposed to fix has never been proven to exist. It is an imaginary problem.

[jonstl08]

21. My Grandmother

My Grandmother passed away in 2006. After her death I was the exector of her estate. Found out she was born in the Bootheal area of Missouri near the Arkansas border. The county was so small there was no record of her birth because the courthouse caught fire and her birth certificate was destroyed. This was in the 1950's. County asked for people to come in a fill out paperwork about their birth. She lived in a different part of Missouri so never received the notice. She never had a drivers liscense or state ID. Only thing she had was a social security card. She voted in every election from when she turned 21.

If she was alive today and could obtain a copy of her birth certificate she would need somebody to drive her about 200 miles to the county she was born in. Then pay for a copy of it so there is an expense (Poll Tax) to obtain a ID to vote. This is what southern states did for years to minorities.

[Attilatheblond]

35. Our (GOP) county recorder sent letters out that seem to be suggesting people need to re-register

He is a GOP puppet and this sure seems like a way to scare less informed voters that they need to re-register, which means his office can pick and choose what he requires for registration.

This is one of the counties that Marc Elias had to go to court to force County Supervisors to obey AZ law and Certify Election Results a few years back. The GOP here is ALWAYS trying to subvert the will of voters.

[ananda]

45. Yes it is. And now, at the same time...

Republicans can use it to make up disqualifications.

Truly ugly.

[dlk]

5. The goal is to reduce the number of voters

Republicans want to choose their voters.

Not every eligible voter has a photo ID.

[Seinan Sensei]

16. Exactly right - "Republicans want to choose their voters"

Republicans don’t want constituents to choose their representatives

[dlk]

55. Republicans truly do not believe in democracy

Their ongoing voter suppression tactics only prove it.

[happy feet]

6. A solution designed to disenfranchise voters

and voter suppression looking for a voter problem that literally DOES NOT EXIST.

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

How about fixing affordability, healthcare, pharmaceutical prices, etc for all.

btw: What are all these instances when we're required to show our id? TSA, hotel check in, Dr and hospital visits, maybe some offices....??????????????? Hardly every day occurrences.

Do you know that they want voter id that confirms your CITIZENSHIP---your DL, student id, gun registration, etc.....does not count for the voter id they want. You'd need your passport (most Americans don't have) or certified copy of birth certificate---NONE of which I have to show for the occurrences I mentioned above. My license and passport shows my married surname which is not the surname on my birth certificate---so I'd be ineligible to vote. How about disenfranchising all married women? It goes on and on and on.

Biggest issue is there is statistically no voter cheating to solve. They just want to reduce the number of voters.

[Seinan Sensei]

22. DISTRACTION is the Republican M.O.

And they are good at it
The REAL issue is voter fraud, NOT voter I.d.

Are people voting who are not eligible to vote?
Rarely
Are US elections being swayed by ineligible voters?
Never, as in never-ever

Google it.
No survey anywhere,
- even by right-wingers -
will show any problem anywhere
Maybe 5 or 10 votes per million.
Never enough to ever matter.

But here we are, discussing voter identification.
We should be asking why we are trying to fix something that ain’t broke.

DISTRACTION is the Republican M.O.

[Blumancru]

29. They are not trying to fix something that ain't broke.

They are trying to break something that ain’t broke. Which is to be expected.

[notinkansas]

47. You are right about voter fraud being negligible.

Election fraud is the real problem. And republicans excel in that regard.

[TBF]

7. I'd be on board with a nation-wide ID program if it's free -

Let's say we could each go to a local post office (anywhere - urban, suburban, or very rural) or public library or DMV. We could sit for a photo and have a hard copy ID made there or sent within a few weeks. Ideally, we could join the 21st century and make it assessable via app to be scanned at the voting location.

IMO it is the way they are going about it and using it to limit who votes. I would've thought this would be obvious to people who care about democracy.

* As an example, my name that I use daily bears no resemblance to my birth certificate. I changed my name legally in my early 20s and changed my last name twice w/marriages. I'm quite paranoid so I have documentation to back up all the changes and a current passport (all stored in my little fire-safe box). I did a google search and about 54% of the country has a valid passport. So, we've got the other half of the country to help out with this before we make it mandatory.

[happy feet]

27. Not needed

1. There is no need for a national id that proves citizenship
2. Even if the made it easy as you state above-it isn’t easy. You’d need to bring multiple proofs of citizenship to get the id-time, money, distance and hard to find documents you need.

Again, why do we need a national id? What problem are we trying to fix that makes it necessary for each person to waste time and money?

[TBF]

38. I get that republicans are trying to limit who votes -

But I do think it could be useful if we think about the possibilities. The easiest ID would be to issue the social security card to each baby born (I know we now apply for the numbers - I have all the docs in multiple copies from school admissions over the years). Why not issue that card formally at age 18 - both hard copy and app. Each person - one number. It could be used for voting if it had a current address and would be easy to update online.

I got this idea when my kids were younger and I was explaining the importance of voting. "Is there an app for it?" one of them asked - they were pretty young and were growing up with devices. And I thought - of course, why is it not an app? If we can pay taxes on-line, why not voting? Why not ID?

I know it's kind of pie in the sky, but that card gets us medicare/medicaid at a certain age, it would be great if it could be used for voting. And if I'm ambitious, I'm thinking it would be a great way to qualify folks for free healthcare when we integrate a single payer health care system.

I know, a dream. These are the kinds of things I think about ...

[AverageOldGuy]

8. The problem is NOT the idea of an ID to vote.

The problem is HOW TO GET THE ID.

I recently moved but before then I lived 18 years in a rural VA county where i served 13 years on the county electoral board. As far as I know, every state has some form of ID requirement for voting.

The problem comes in obtaining that ID. Half the population does not have a passport. I was surprised when I found out how many people do not have a copy of their birth certificate, marriage license, or other documents that I take for granted. Adding to the problem of not having any of these fundamental documents is HOW DO YOU GET A COPY OF your birth cert, marriage license, etc.? Mail order? Online order? I recently ordered extra copies of our birth certs and marriage license -- $60 total -- who has $60 lying around..

Another matter is WHAT CONSTITUTES AND ACCEPTABLE ID? In Virginia, Republicans want to disallow the use of a student ID for voting even though the ID is issued by a state entity -- college or university and is legal for other purposes.

An earlier commenter said this:

Back in I want to say 2015, Alabama passed a voter ID law. Then within a year, shut down every dmv in counties that where the majority population was a minority. It left some people having to drive over 160 miles one way in order to get an ID in order to vote. It was so bad that the conservative heavy supreme court struck down the law as being too racist.

Next, look at Texas. When they passed their voter ID law, the banned IDs that democrats are more likely to have (college IDs), while allowing IDs that conservatives are more likely to have (hunting license).

And that's the problem -- it's not the idea of an ID, it's (1) how to get the ID, and, (2) what ID is acceptable.

[twodogsbarking]

11. The voting system works. That is why they want to fuck it up.

[Ritabert]

13. When you get a Real ID drivers' license you have to present

...a birth certificate or passport, marriage license if you changed your name, proof of residency (property tax bill or apartment lease.) That should be plenty to vote. They're trying to make that be not enough. A new passport is $165. That's excessive.

[RainCaster]

26. That Real ID license cost me time and money

Things that the underemployed do not have. The GOP wants to keep such people off the voting records.

I have a passport already, but my state (WA) started with the optional Real ID license a few years ago, and so I got one because I could see it becoming mandatory eventually. It took me weeks to get an imprinted copy of my birth certificate, and $25. Then I spent the better part of a day waiting at one of the few DMV offices capable of providing the Special License. An extra 30 miles away. Then there was the extra fee that DMV charged to get that Special License. I forget, but I think it was around $65.
I could do all that because I had an employer who wanted me to get that for work travel and they were very supportive even though I live in a different state.

[Ritabert]

43. Exactly. They're trying to discourage people from going to all the trouble.

[Nevilledog]

36. Majority of Real ID isn't sufficient for the ID requirements

Only 5 states have Real IDs that would be accepted.

https://www.factcheck.org/2026/03/qa-on-the-save-america-act/

These are other types of documents besides a passport that would suffice to prove citizenship under the bill: a REAL ID driver’s license that indicates citizenship (five states have such “enhanced” driver’s licenses that include citizenship); a military ID and service record that says the person was born in the U.S.; or a government-issued photo ID that shows a U.S. birthplace. If presenting a government-issued photo ID that doesn’t say the person was born in the U.S. or has citizenship, a registrant would also need either the certified birth certificate or a hospital birth record, adoption decree, a consular birth report, a naturalization certificate, or an American Indian card with the classification “KIC,” which designates U.S. citizenship for Mexican-born members of the Kickapoo tribes of Texas and Oklahoma.

[Nevilledog]

46. It's not. Believing it won't make it true.

Republicans are lying about Real IDs being valid for their voter suppression bill.

https://www.wral.com/story/fact-check-can-you-use-real-id-to-register-to-vote-under-gop-bill/21992858/

[Ms. Toad]

52. Even if the exact same documents COULD be used to prove citizenship,

The Real ID which you obtained by presenting those documents to the state licensing bureau does NOT indicate you are a citizen, except in the 5 identified northern border states. All it proves in the other states is who you are.

[Retrograde]

61. How many different formats of birth certificate are there?

At least one per state, and they all have the same information. The State Department was happy with my piece of yellow paper from the city of Buffalo that only says that they have a record of my birth - that's it: no indication of gender or parents. They also accepted my hand-written marriage certificate with a half-assed embossment. Will the "must have an id to vote" crowd make accommodations for all the various formats of birth certificates/marriage licenses/name change decrees or will this become another reason to deny people their rights to vote?

Other problems arise when people's names don't fall into the British "First Middle Last Name" format. For formal and government purposes I have more than 3 names. It's correct on my real id driver's license, but when they sent an update to the registrar of voters they concatenated all the middle names. Fortunately I live in a county with a very diverse population where the voters' office is staffed by people of at least normal intelligence, so they were able to make the correction quickly ("yeah, the DMV does that a lot&quot and without my having to go to the other end of the county with a heap of documents.

[LeftInTX]

14. In Texas, if you don't have an ID, you can file a "Statement of Reasonable Impediment"

And you can use your voter registration cerificate. Utility bills are accepted.

This was decided by a court case. Voter registration certificates are free and do not require going to the DMV to obtain.

https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/pol-sub/reasonable-impediment-declaration.pdf

I don't think you can use a hunting license in Texas. Concealed handgun permit is accepted. Can't use student IDs.

[OhioBack2Blue]

17. Reasons....

1) Rate of voter "fraud." per Brennan Center = 0.00004% essentially NON- EXISTENT and places an UNDUE BURDEN (tax) on citizens.

2) Does not solve any other types of fraud such as absentee ballot fraud or election fraud.

3)There is no evidence that non-citizen immigrants, green-card holders, or immigrants on temporary visas are voting, despite the marketed falsehood that “millions” of noncitizens are voting in U.S. elections.

4) Does not even prevent voter fraud. https://www.nber.org/papers/w25522 "Finally, strict ID requirements have no effect on fraud – actual or perceived. Overall, our findings suggest that efforts to improve elections may be better directed at other reforms." https://orgs.law.harvard.edu/equaldemocracy/2021/04/11/h-r-1-voter-id-and-the-myth-of-voter-fraud/

5) Types of ID accepted are being restricted by Republicons for disingenuous reasons to tip voter turnout to their favor. This negatively impacts oppressed communities, formerly incarcerated, seniors, and disabled.

6) Examples: Bob Smith Sr and Bob Smith Jr, (father / son) even if entered in poll books for the other, will only vote 1x each. Bob Smith Jr then forgets he voted at home, on break from college, then votes at college, this will be caught by the internal accounting controls. Margaret Jones early voted then died before election day... not fraud. Transgender person from Kansas had license revoked, brings student ID, not fraud.

7) The fake "Voter Fraud" problem then of course has never changed the outcome of a state or national election. Shouldn't that outcome carry some weight worth considering?

8) Asking questions is fantastic. MAGA are you paying attention? It is also clear you have never worked elections as a judge. I encourage you to do so to understand just how many accountability controls were already in place before all these Republicon shenanigans started.

9) These "active measures" then end up STOPPING THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF ELIGIBLE and LEGITIMATE CITIZENS across the nation from voting and this DOES change the outcome of elections. Is this what you want? Then let's think critically, ask questions, and talk honestly about this very real problem of VOTER SUPPRESSION.

Now will you accept the actual evidence and data? Or just cling tightly to your privilege and feelings a la "what’s the big deal with [asking for specific ID when] VOTING FOR OUR COUNTRY’S LEADERSHIP?"

- Signed
An election judge, technical election judge, roving election judge - 15 plus years

[ColoringFool]

19. In My PA, We Do This At Registration. At Voting, We Sign Our Name,.......

Which is compared to our Registration signature.

SO FAR THIS METHOD HAS BEEN FRAUD-PROOF, FOR HOW WOULD A FRAUDSTER KNOW MY SIGNATURE?!

OR EVEN IF I HAD VOTED YET?!

AND HOW MANY FRAUDSTERS WOULD HAVE TO BE WOMEN?!

JUST THE SURVEILLANCE OF ME ALONE, OUT OF MILLIONS, WOULD GIVE PAUSE TO THE MOST DETERMINED CRIMINAL.

IF PENNSYLVANIA VOTERS ALSO HAD TO SHOW ID EVERY ELECTION,

1.) IT WOULD BE REDUNDANT. IN FACT, IT WOULD MAKE THE INITIAL REGISTRATION POINTLESS.

2.) VOTING WOULD SLOW DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY. SOME PEOPLE WAITING WOULD LEAVE, OTHERS WOULD BE CONSIDERED TOO LATE.

3.) COMPARING TWO SIGNATURES IS MUCH MORE CERTAIN FOR THE POLL-WORKER, RATHER THAN HAVING HIM OR HER DETERMINE IF AN ID IS LEGIT OR NOT.

VOTER SUPPRESSION BABY.

Anyway, those are my thoughts; I haven't researched the issue. I'm sure there are better arguments on my side.

ALL I KNOW IS---AND THIS IS TRUE FOR ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN---

IF AN IDEA IS PROPOSED BY A REPUBLICAN, IT IS HARMFUL TO ORDINARY AMERICANS.

PROVE ME WRONG.

[Clouds Passing]

20. If they made IDs easy to obtain especially for married women and poor people it wouldn't be such a big deal

And either very low cost or free.

[EX500rider]

56. In Fla it is free if you are on SNAP etc

Key Details on Florida ID
Costs:Original/Renewal/Replacement: $25.00 (plus service fees at some locations).
Stolen ID Replacement: $6.25 (with a police report).
Free ID: Individuals with a Food Stamp (SNAP) card or proof of assistance may receive a free ID

[Clouds Passing]

58. Excellent for FL, they've done something good!

[Historic NY]

23. If its not a problem then why are states and people still lagging with REal ID

so you can fly.

The REAL ID Act of 2005 is a United States federal law that standardized requirements for driver's licenses and identification cards issued by U.S. states and territories its taken 20 yrs just to get that done.

To note the US Website is saying that all states and territories are compliant, thats says they had the formats. Whats is not saying is US residents are all compliant, The TSA is charging you $45 each way if you don't had a Real ID. Does that sound like everyone has one. They are trying to manipulate to data to support voter ID.


https://www.dhs.gov/archive/current-status-states-territories] last update in 2023

[Nevilledog]

39. Only 5 states have an enhanced Real ID that could be used

All the other Real IDs cannot be used by itself to vote.

https://www.factcheck.org/2026/03/qa-on-the-save-america-act/

[piddyprints]

24. It's the type of ID, I think.

I was recently surprised that my mail-in ballot application asked for my Social Security number. So, no, I won't be voting by mail anymore. This will weed out a number of elderly people who are eligible to vote by mail but don't want to open themselves up to identity theft.

As an aside, recently I had a doctor's appointment where the paperwork I was to fill out and bring in asked for my Social Security number on every page. I left it blank and asked the receptionist if it was necessary, and she said no. They have all the information they need without it.

I was able to get my passport and RealID with no problem, but I have been married once and had all the necessary papers. My daughters have been married multiple times and changed their names every time, and sometimes between marriages. It might be a bit difficult for them... just as one example.

[happy feet]

31. In 40 years voting

At the same place I have NEVER been asked for id. Period. The first time they asked for my name and address which they had from when i registered to vote. They checked me off the list and gave me a ballot.
I once tried to offer my id and they waved me off/were offended.

Again, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

Non-citizens would be stupid to vote-sure way to get caught and deported wouldn’t you think?

[piddyprints]

34. I would think so...

but it's hard for me to get my brain to do Republican thinking. They do worry about the dumbest shit.

[SidneyR]

25. We could, like some other countries, automatically register citizens when they are born.

Then, when they come of age, they only have to check in a voting location to activate their voting rights. Done, forever. But no, here in the "pretends to be a democracy but isn't really" grand ol' USA, that's too hard for us. We don't really want people to vote.

[TBF]

40. I laid out my thoughts above - you have the same kind of idea

issue the ID and multiple uses. Ideally at some point in the future it would be single payer health care, as we have medicare/medicaid now. Would love to see that expansion.

[RoeVWade]

28. I always say to Republicans, "make them free" if you want them so bad. Most start complaining.

If i want something so bad for all the people, I will support them with taxes. Not most of them.

[SpankMe]

32. ID for voting isn't a problem

It ain't the ID's that's the problem. It's the onerous requirements for getting ID's that are "acceptable" to Republicans that's the problem. Their requirements would cull the pool of eligible voters by half, which would give Republicans a majority for long enough to re-rig the whole system so they could never lose again.

[City Lights]

37. I'm fine with needing an ID, as long as the government provides the ID for free.

If anyone has to pay for the required ID, then I am totally against it.

[Walleye]

41. I think they are basically accusing us of a crime and we have to prove we're innocent, that's wrong

And totally un-American. I have voted at the same polling pace for 35 years of people there know me showing an ID would be ridiculous, we’re not trying to prove our age so we can get a drink

[D_Master81]

42. I'm ok with ID laws

If the government provides a free ID to every citizen.
Other than that it’s a way to create more hurdles to vote. Like was posted above they would then make getting an ID harder. Plus it’s a pill tax in a sense for some who do t need a drivers license. If you have to pay to go get an ID you are basically paying for the privilege to vote.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

50. Older people in retirement homes will be screwed.

They used to be able to vote with their retirement home ID and I don’t see a lot of them jumping through hoops to vote. Most don’t go outside the facility and don’t have cars.

[Ms. Toad]

53. A driver's license (even if free) would not be sufficient under the SAVE act.

Not to mention that obtaining a RealID is a royal pain - and requires documents which a significant number of citizens do not have - including some who could not obtain those docuents even if they had all the time and money in the world. Those most impacted would be elderly, female, and/or minority.

[applegrove]

48. It is to disenfranchise married women who don't have a passport.

Last edited Fri May 1, 2026, 02:01 AM - Edit history (1)

Women vote more for democrats. The SAVE Act is awful. They just pretend it is only about a simple ID at the voting place.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

49. We used to be able to vote with no id. Things didn't go to hell...

You want as many people voting as possible.

[Indykatie]

51. The SAVE ACT is about more than a Voter ID . Most States Already Have Voter ID

The SAVE act includes ridiculous provisions that would prevent millions of people from voting. See some of SAVE the Act provisions below:

The SAVE Act fundamentally changes voter registration and voting procedures by requiring documentary proof of citizenship, photo ID at the polls, and federal verification of voter rolls, while imposing legal and administrative obligations on election officials.
1.The Feds will manage a National list of voters eligible to vote. That's why Trump is trying so hard to get voter data from the states. I can see a room of interns going through the files and deleting millions of voters right before the election. Most people will not know until they show up to vote.
2.People whose current name doesn't match their BC will need to provide info to explain the mis-match. Some people don't have a passport or can't locate their BC. These are the only documents acceptable as proof citizenship. Neither of these documents are free and it can be months before a passport arrives.
3. There will be additional restrictions to vote by Mail but I'm not up to speed on those provisions.






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[LeftInTX]

57. Exactly

[meadowlander]

54. For starters, my gender isn't legally recognised in the US

so I'd essentially be having to go out of my way to get a piece of paper that misgenders me so I can access my basic civic rights.

[Melon]

59. A college ID just says you go to school here, not residency.

You need to be a resident to vote. A hunter ID proves residency.