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	Franklin County, Kansas, USA

2009-07-03

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2009-06-30

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What’s the real story behind lawmakers push for voter ID laws?

GOP manipulation

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling gives a green light to states, including Kansas, bent on passing voter ID laws. But neither the court majority nor the backers of the Kansas legislation have shown much evidence that voter identification fraud is a problem in need of a solution.

Justice John Paul Stevens, writing for the majority, could produce only scant and anecdotal evidence of in-person voter fraud. He cited two cases in 140 years, which doesn’t exactly add up to a crisis.

There’s ample reason to worry that this issue is driven by partisan politics. GOP backers support the law, say critics, mainly to suppress turnout among (likely Democratic) low-income, elderly and minority voters.

The 2005 Indiana law at issue requires voters to present government-issued ID, in most cases either a driver’s license or passport. ...

In his dissent, Justice David Souter noted that 43,000 Indiana residents lacked the right ID card.

In Kansas, proponents of an ID law raise fears of illegal immigrants voting. But it is more likely that the new law would discourage U.S. citizens from voting. ...

If Kansas lawmakers are intent on passing a voter ID law, they should retain features in a House version of the bill that would provide photo IDs to low-income Kansans — and they should phase in enforcement over several years to give voters time to adjust.

It’s reassuring that disabled residents and those age 65 and over are exempt in the bill. Another good compromise is a provision to allow a broader scope of documents, such as student cards and employee badges, to meet the ID requirement.

Still, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius should veto any voter ID bill that discourages the most vulnerable members of our society from exercising their rights at the ballot box.

That’s also election fraud.

— The Wichita Eagle

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