by Vicky Florian ’14

Numerous states have or are trying to pass laws requiring voters to show a particular form of photo identification at the polls such as a license, passport or military ID. Supporters of the law view it as a tool against voter fraud, allowing only those legally eligible the ability to vote. Opponents view it as a violation of voting rights, unfairly impacting groups such as the poor, minorities and recent immigrants, who often lack IDs. For this reason, some see this law as a way to decrease the number of minority voters, who typically vote Democratic. Developments in a number of states have made who gets to vote nearly as much of an issue as who they vote for.

2005 – Indiana becomes the first state to enact a strict photo ID law, which was upheld two years later by the Supreme Court.

2006 – Georgia passes a law providing voter ID cards at no cost to registered voters who do not have a driver’s license or state issued ID card.

2010 – Idaho’s voter ID law is passed by the Idaho Legislature. The law allows voters to sign a personal identification affidavit, or sworn statement, instead of presenting an ID.

April 18, 2011 – Kansas Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) Act is signed into law. Voters must show photo identification when casting a vote in person.

November 2011 – Mississippi’s strict photo ID amendment is passed by citizen initiative. The amendment requires a pre-clearance under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act before it can be implemented.

January 1, 2012 – Strict photo ID requirements for Kansas take effect. The new registration requirements will begin in 2013. On the same day, Tennessee’s strict voter ID law takes effect.

March 12, 2012 – Wisconsin’s strict photo ID law, passed by the legislature in 2011, is declared unconstitutional by a state judge.

October 2, 2012 – Judge temporarily halts Pennsylvania’s voter identification law for the November election. Poll workers may still ask for ID, but they must allow those without ID to vote. A status conference will be held on December 13, 2012, to prepare for a trial.