Voter ID Required for Election Integrity
Without a doubt, requiring voter identification at polling locations and to register to vote absentee actually increases voter confidence, election security and election turn out. That’s why America Project is making voter ID a top priority. Across the nation we the people have demanded integrity return to our elections. Yes there are other issues that need to be addressed to improve voter confidence and we will tackle those issues in their own blogs. For now lets focus on what the status of requiring voter ID is across the nation. Here we find a list of states that do not require voter identification and what their laws are.
| State | Voters must: | Elections officials must: |
|---|---|---|
| California (Cal. Election Code §14216 ) | State name and address Write name and address in poll book | Announce name and address Confirm the voter is on the registration list |
| District of Columbia (D.C. Code Ann. §1-1001.07) | Sign the poll book | None |
| Illinois (Ill. Rev. Stat. Ch. 10.5, §4-22, 5-29, 6-66, 17-9) | Sign an affidavit of eligibility Provide name, and if requested, address | Announce name, and if requested, address Confirm the voter is on the registration list |
| Maine (Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. Tit. 21A, §9-2-3-671) | State name, and if requested, address | Announce name |
| Maryland (Md. Election Code Ann. §10-310) | State month and date of birth (and address under certain circumstances) | Check voter information against the registration list |
| Massachusetts (Mass. Gen. Laws Ann., Title VIII, Chapter 54, §76) | Provide name, and if requested, address | Announce name Confirm the voter is on the registration list |
| Minnesota (Minn. Stat. §204C.10 (a)) | Sign an affidavit of eligibility If requested, provide name, address and date of birth | Optional: check voter information |
| Nebraska (Neb. Rev. Stat. §32-913) | Sign the poll book | None |
| Nevada (Nev. Rev. Stat. §293.277) | Sign the poll book | Compare the signature to signature on file, or on a form of identification |
| New Jersey (N.J. Rev. Stat. §19:15-17(a)) | Provide signature | Compare the signature to signature on file |
| New Mexico (N.M. Stat. Ann. §1-1-24, 1-12-7.1, 1-12-10, and 1-12-4.1) | State name and address After providing identification (which can be a written or verbal confirmation of name, address and date of birth), sign the poll book Note: the request for identification is suspended if lines are longer than 45 minutes | Announce name Confirm the voter is on the registration list |
| New York (N.Y. Election Law §8-304) | Sign the poll book | Compare the signature to signature on file Compare the voter’s physical appearance with information on record |
| North Carolina (§ 163‑166.7) | State current name and residential address (and party affiliation in a primary election) Sign the voting record, poll book, or voter authorization document | State whether the voter is registered to vote in that precinct |
| Oregon* (Or. Rev. Stat. §254.470 (6) and (8-9)) | Sign the envelope in which the ballot is returned | Compare signature to signature on file |
| Pennsylvania (Penn. Elect. Code §1.3.1210) | Sign an affidavit of eligibility Provide address (except under certain circumstances) | Announce name Compare signature against signature on file |
| Vermont (Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit.17, §2563, 2571) | State name, and if requested, address Alternatively, provide documentation | Confirm the voter is on the registration list |
| *Oregon conducts its elections almost exclusively by mail but offers voters the option of voting in person at county election offices. Ballots in Oregon, including ballots cast in person, must be accompanied by a return envelope signed by the voter. |
As you can see the security of elections in these states are wholly compromised in this single election security measure. The total population in these jurisdictions is more than 98 million or roughly 1/3 of the total U.S. population according to the 2020 Census. How can anyone feel confident in national elections where 1/3 of the population has minimal if any identification in order to vote. Voter confidence has been declining for years do to these poor policies. This is also why the National Popular Vote Act is disingenuous at best. Without voter identification how can anyone advocate for a National Popular Vote? We the people must come together on this issue or we will loose our nation to foreign and special interest groups. Here are some examples where improved security through voter ID requirements has had positive impacts on voter turnout:
- Georgia enacted a photo ID requirement in 2007. Since then, the state has experienced increased voter turnout, particularly among minority voters.
- Indiana implemented a photo ID law in 2005. The state experienced higher voter turnout in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections compared to the 2000 and 2004 elections.
- Tennessee enacted a photo ID requirement in 2011. In the subsequent elections, voter turnout increased, particularly in the 2012 presidential election.
- Kansas implemented a photo ID requirement in 2012. In the subsequent elections, the state experienced increased voter turnout in some instances. For example, the 2018 midterm elections saw an increase in voter turnout compared to previous midterms.
- Wisconsin enacted a photo ID requirement in 2011, and it was first in effect for the 2016 elections. Despite concerns about the potential impact of the law on voter turnout, the state experienced a relatively high turnout in the 2018 midterm elections.
- Rhode Island implemented a non-strict photo ID requirement in 2012, which means that voters who do not have an acceptable ID can still vote by signing an affidavit or a provisional ballot. In the 2016 presidential election, voter turnout in Rhode Island increased compared to the 2012 election.
- Virginia implemented a photo ID requirement in 2013. In the 2016 presidential election, the state experienced increased voter turnout compared to the 2012 election.
- North Dakota implemented a non-strict voter ID requirement in 2013, meaning that voters without an acceptable ID can still vote by signing an affidavit. The state experienced increased voter turnout in the 2016 presidential election compared to the 2012 election.
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