Criticized as an attempt to disenfranchise Democratic supporters, voter ID laws may wind up keeping many individuals who support Republican candidates from participating in this November’s election.

Laws mandating voters show a photo ID at polling places could impact minorities and the poor—two groups that historically vote for the Democratic Party. But another group vulnerable to the new laws are seniors, who often are courted by Republicans.

Some national polls show Americans over 65 heavily favor Mitt Romney. But it remains to be seen if all of these seniors will get to cast a ballot for the GOP presidential candidate.

If they do not possess a driver’s license in Pennsylvania, one of the many voter ID law states and a swing state in the presidential contest, they will not be able to vote.

In fact, Pennsylvania seniors “are more likely than any other age group to be caught without the identification they will need to vote in the presidential election,” according to the Allentown Morning Call newspaper.

Although Republican State House Majority Leader Mike Turzai had boasted that the voter ID law “would allow Gov. Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania,” if large numbers of elderly voters are turned away because they lack ID, it could damage any Republican advantage to win the state.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

Disabled and Elderly Voters Face New Hurdles at Polls (by Emily Nohr and Alissa Skelton, iWatch News)

Seniors Most Affected by Voter ID Law (by Scott Kraus, Eugene Tauber and John L. Micek, Allentown Morning Call)

Increasing Numbers of Registered Voters Could Lose Right to Vote because of New ID Laws (by David Wallechinsky and Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)

84-Year-Old Women: Pepper-Sprayed and Losing Right to Vote (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)