Background

Despite almost no evidence of problems related to voting fraud, in the past two years a wave of legislation across the country has brought new requirements for those who wish to vote.

While on the surface these requirements might seem innocuous (especially for those of us with broadband internet access and the latest computers and gadgets), they can result in serious disenfranchisement for US citizens.

The Brennan Center for Justice estimates that 10% of eligible voters do not have a government-issued photo ID. They explain:

That percentage is even higher for seniors, people of color, people with disabilities, low-income voters, and students. Many citizens find it hard to get government photo IDs, because the underlying documentation like birth certificates (the ID one needs to get ID) is often difficult or expensive to come by. At the same time, voter ID policies are far more costly to implement than many assume.

In June 2012 Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Mike Turzai claimed that a Voter ID law would deliver the state to Mitt Romney in the presidential election:

Given the close poll numbers for the presidential election (as well as many congressional races and even state-level contests), we need to make sure that every vote counts.

Write A Letter!

These laws are being passed state by state, so we need to pressure to state legislatures. Consult this overview from The Brennan Center of states requiring new forms of voter ID (and the 2012 update), or consult the National Conference of State Legislatures for a map of which states require what.

Search local media to see what the elected officials and legal experts in your state have to say about the issue. Then write a letter urging an end to restrictive voter ID laws that will hurt the fabric of our democracy.

A sample letter is included below, written for state legislators in Wisconsin. For general information, consult our Writing Guide.

Sample Letter

As you know, the last two years have brought a wave of legislation across the country requiring new forms of voter identification, despite almost no evidence of fraud in the voting process. Fortunately in Wisconsin, two judges issued injunctions in March preventing the Government Accountability Board from enforcing the new law. This is a good thing; according to UW political scientist Ken Mayer, more than 200,000 potential voters would be disenfranchised by the law.

Although the requirements for a photo ID might seem trivial to some people, they are in fact a significant burden for some voters, especially poor people in Wisconsin, as well as black and latino citizens. The Brennan Center at New York University School of Law estimates that 10% of all Americans do not have a government-issued photo ID. It’s wrong for our state to impose arbitrary new regulations despite almost no evidence of fraud.

Please oppose these strict and exclusive requirements for Voter ID in Wisconsin. Voting is a fundamental right for the people of Wisconsin, one you are sworn to uphold.



Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

More Information

For a more complete conversation, consult the NAACP Defending Democracy project.

We also recommend Bill Moyers’ interview with Keesha Gaskins and Michael Waldman of the Brennan Center:

Wisconsin

In March, two Wisconsin judges issued injunctions against the new law. The Wisconsin Department of Justice, led by Attorney General JB Van Hollen, has appealed the case of NAACP vs. Walker, et al. In addition to state legislators (and Governor Walker, if you’re feeling ambitious), please write to Mr. Van Hollen and urge that he withdraw the DOJ appeal.