Photo
ID talking points
The League supports full voting participation by all
eligible American citizens and oppose efforts to
create new barriers that block citizen voter participation. I therefore oppose
ID and documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements.
Here are some reasons why I believe you should oppose the
bill(s)
- As many as 11 percent of
United States citizens – more than 21 million individuals – do not have
government-issued photo identification.
- Seniors disproportionately
lack photo identification. Eighteen percent of American citizens age 65
and above do not have current government-issued photo ID.
- Nearly ten percent of the 40
million Americans with disabilities do not have any form of state-issued
photo identification.
- At least 15 percent of
voting-age American citizens earning less than $35,000 per year do not
have a valid government-issued photo ID.
- Costs can be a significant
barrier to obtaining a photo ID. Even when the ID itself is free, there
are hidden costs, such as transportation to various agencies and fees
related to acquiring supporting documents like birth certificates.
- There is no evidence that
voting by non-citizens is occurring in significant numbers. Indeed,
evidence proves that illegal voting is extremely low.