Every year around Election Day, we hear so many commercials and paid advertisements insisting that our vote is important and that everyone should get to the polls and cast their ballot if they want to see change. So, why then, is the State of Wisconsin moving forward with legislation that will require all voters to present photo identification at the polls? While presenting a photo ID is necessary while carrying out various tasks, such as filling prescriptions, writing checks or boarding a flight, I don't understand why it should become a necessity when it comes to voting. If I were to venture a guess, I'd say the Wisconsin government will only further alienate the voting public by implementing this law.
Off the top of my head, I can think of three groups of people who will be negatively impacted by this legislation: the elderly, the poor and college students. Many elderly people who don't drive any longer have no need for a driver's license(my grandmother never had a driver's license and never drove a day in her life). With most of these individuals already living on a fixed income, it seems arrogant of the government to tell them they need to purchase a photo ID in order to vote, something they've done for decades without such requirements. Then, you have low-income families that are barely making it as it is. Most of them don't have vehicles because they cannot afford them and use public transportation to get from A to B. Their vote is just as important as anyone else's, yet, most will likely give up that right because they won't have proper identification to cast their votes. If I had a choice between purchasing a Wisconsin photo ID and putting food on my table, you'd better believe my family would come first.
Last, but certainly not least, you have the college student faction – kids who will someday become the leaders of this nation. These are the people we should be encouraging to vote, not discouraging them by making more regulations. In Wisconsin, students are considered residents of the state if they live on a UW campus for the majority of the year, which most do. I attended UW-River Falls and there were oodles of students attending the institution due to its excellent education program and its close proximity to their homes in Minnesota. However, with this new Wisconsin Voter Photo Identification Act, those students will not be able to cast their vote unless they acquire a Wisconsin ID. That's just ridiculous, if you ask me. Not only are these students paying more tuition due to reciprocity to get an education at a college of their choosing, but our government is going to require them to purchase an ID card if they wish to vote in Wisconsin? Something just doesn't add up. Perhaps, college IDs should be considered an acceptable form of identification at the polls.
If not, I think the state should issue these students – and the rest of the citizens who don't have proper identification – Wisconsin identification cards, free of charge, so they may vote. After all, it is our God-given right and people shouldn't have to pay the government in order to exercise that right. Granted, there has been talk of the state government providing the IDs at no cost, but, when you take into account the condition the economy is in, I'm not sure that would be entirely feasible. Another thing that frustrates me is the way in which this new bill will eliminate same-day voter registration. Are you kidding me? There are so many people out there who register on the day they cast ballots that it would be a travesty to do away with that convenience. Instead, everyone will have to remember to get all of their information to the state weeks in advance. With the busy schedules people have, it seems ludicrous to expect people to have to remember that, too.
Though the Photo Identification Act is, more or less, a way to cut down on voter fraud, I have a feeling it will cut down on the number of voters at the polls, instead. Sure, people should do their civic duty and make sure they have all their ducks in a row prior to Election Day, but it's becoming way too much of a hassle, if you ask me. Maybe, instead of adding more rules and regulations, the state should try to make it easier for the voting public to carry out its role in our democracy.
Jennie Oemig
Staff Writer
Trempealeau County Times
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