Q&A of the Day – Voter turnout in states with photo ID - Part 1
Each day I feature a listener question sent by one of these methods.
Email: brianmudd@iheartmedia.com
Parler & Twitter: @brianmuddradio
Today’s entry: Brian, my question is: What is the argument made by those who claim requiring a photo ID is voter suppression, and in your judgment is it valid?
Bottom Line: On back of the various controversies stemming from the 2020 election cycle, numerous states have taken up election related integrity measures. Two states have already passed new laws strengthening election integrity. Iowa and late last week, one of the most visibly challenged states last year – Georgia. Notably even in Florida, despite having had our smoothest election cycle in decades or, potentially ever, it was still the top issue cited for reform by Floridians heading into this year’s state session (with approx. 22% of Floridians saying it was the top issue). Election integrity is clearly on the minds of Americans across the country and it’s needed. As I’ve reported, according to Harvard’s Election Integrity Project, the United States ranks 37th out of 38 countries which engage in democratic elections. Yes, second worst. The United States ranks just below Vanuatu and just above Albania. That’s how awful our voting systems are in the United States. Our election systems are so inadequate Ghana’s run rings around us. I’m not kidding they’re several countries ahead. In the but wait there’s more category, the United States ranks 57th overall in election integrity. In other words, elections held in twenty countries where citizens lack freedom, have higher integrity than ours. So, to first address the premise of your question, efforts to improve the integrity of elections within the United States are valid and desperately needed. Before diving into the specifics of the photo ID requirements – first here’s what changed with Georgia’s new law which is being characterized as an effort to engage in “voter suppression” by its detractor's aka, as those in favor of the United States having less election integrity than Ghana and barely more than Albania. New Georgia law changes:
- Voter ID required for absentee ballots
- Runoff elections to be held 4 weeks after general election as opposed to nine weeks later
- Elections oversight will be conducted by a five-person board established by the state legislature rather than the Secretary of State
Now, from where I sit, it’s absurd to suggest these changes are an effort to suppress. Why is it that voter ID should be required in person but not for absentee ballots? That’s the counter-argument to this new law. But your question specifically asked about the arguments against voter ID and whether the argument that they suppress turnout are valid. I’ll address that question in the second part of today’s Q&A.
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