As the debate on requirements for a photo ID at polling places in the United States heats up, it would be good to understand why Latino voters in the US might be confused and unable to comprehend our requirements.
Here is what they are getting and what they have had in the past in Mexico:
So, inquiring minds might ask why we don't check to see if we can acquire the old equipment that Mexico is replacing?
1 comment:
I can't seem to find 'national ID' (especially something requiring fingerprints, iris scans, and other biometrics) among the enumerated powers in the Constitution.
That leaves such things up to the states, or to the people.
Unless I'm mistaken, all states now have driver's license and state ID photos stored in a database. It would be a very minor effort for state election boards to reproduce such images on voter registration cards - and to require presentation of the card when voting. (Along with the assumption that states ensure only bona fide citizens are registered to vote. Too many states provide driver's licenses to non-citizens who are not legal permanent residents.)
One would expect lots of yelling and screaming from the usual suspects over such measures, but all of it could be summarily dismissed: states alone have the right to register voters, and determine the laws governing the mechanics of voting. Voter registration is free, everywhere.
Such measures are perfectly acceptable to me - and ten cents to xerox a copy of your voter card for attachment to an absentee ballot request is a very small price to pay for the privilege; easily within everyone's budget.
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