LWVUS PRESIDENT CALLS ON CONGRESS TO IMPROVE, NOT RESTRICT VOTER PARTICIPATION
Mary G. Wilson, the national League president testified August 3 before the
Committee on House Administration’s Securing the Vote hearing in Phoenix,
Arizona. Wilson opposed plans to require that eligible voters show photo identification
at the polling place and present documentary proof of citizenship in the voter
registration process.
“
Some have suggested that illegal voting by non-citizens is a significant problem
in federal elections. We in the League of Women Voters do not share that view,” Wilson
said. “Any proposal that restricts voter registration or raises barriers
to voting in order to deal with the supposed problem of non-citizen voting
is a fear-based approach instead of a fact-based solution,” stated Wilson.
“
In modern society it is easy to assume that everyone has appropriate ID or
can prove their citizenship. But it is more difficult than one might think.
The costs of obtaining proof of citizenship and photo ID would clearly discourage
voter participation,” Wilson said. …
Wilson said, “We believe popular support for ID requirements reflects
a misunderstanding about the difficulties in getting proper ID for even ‘average’ citizens,
the likely discriminatory effects of such requirements, and the difficulties
in administering an ID system.”
“
Instead of dampening the enthusiasm of voters, we need to do every thing possible
to encourage and assist voters in exercising this right that we as Americans
too easily take for granted,” Wilson stated.
— LWVUS Press Release 8/3/2006
