This week Texas and Oklahoma are pushing Voter ID bills that would require all voters to show either their drivers licenses or state issued ID or voter registration card when they vote. These laws work to reduce the number of people who are able to vote most often the elderly, young voters, African Americans, Latino Americans, and communities of color.
According to a release by the Student Association for Voter Empowerment (SAVE)
At least in the case of Oklahoma, college and university IDs will be considered valid. Representative Joe Dorman (D-65), who insisted on their inclusion, said, "I worry a poll worker might not allow the driver's license of an out-of-state student enrolled and registered to vote in their college community. I commend Rep. Sue Tibbs (R-23), who introduced the bill, for recognizing the importance of allowing these voters at both public and private institutions the opportunity to use this ID should the bill become law."
In Oklahoma's case this means 78,000 voters over 18 who would not be able to vote because they don't have a state issued photo ID. US Census, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, Election Board estimates up to 10% of recent registrants are effected by this law.
One of the largest problems in Oklahoma is that photo ID's aren't free you have to pay $5 for a drivers license - the result of that is essentially a $5 fee just to vote. Which means... its a poll tax. Even Justice Antonin Scalia states in his concurring opinion on CRAWFORD v. MARION COUNTY ELECTION that the Supreme Court should stay out of laws like this unless it places an unfair burden on voters - but in the case of Indiana he said it didn't because their IDs were free - people just had to go get them.
In Oklahoma... they're not free. As such, this law would surly be struck down by the Supreme Court even with one of its most conservative judges. UNLESS Oklahoma were to provide a free photo ID. This would result in millions of dollars in tax payer costs. Additional poll workers and cost of providing free ID, each year 80,000 Oklahomans obtain a new or renew a photo id at a cost of $10 each (not a DL), underlying documents costs range from $10-$95.00 according to the State Election Board, Department of Public Safety.
Voting rights activist David Glover has prepared a great factsheet that includes much of the information I've quoted above but it goes further to say
"Defenders claim that the adoption of new laws actually lead to an increase in turnout. These perceptions are statistically flawed. They ignore or fail to control for the overall aggregate affects of increased get-out-the-vote efforts and mobilization among Democrats in 2006 and 2008. They also ignore that the increase in turnout in Indiana was less than in other swing states that did not adopt photo ID laws. Finally, they do not examine the impact the photo ID laws have had on those individuals who lack such identification and who sought to vote. All peer reviewed University studies agree – New Photo Voter ID Laws reduce turnout."
He further says that the fine in Oklahoma is $10,000 for people who vote twice and 5 years in jail. While I'm sure there are some people who would like to vote twice the laws set in place currently would deter anyone from just such an action. Voter IDs don't help prevent a problem they cause one.
The SAVE release continues
"Although the implications of mandating a photo ID might seem benign given their ubiquitous use in airports, government agencies, and banks, there are tens of thousands of non-driving, non-traveling and non-banking Americans—both young and old—who do not possess such documentation. Both the Oklahoma and Texas bills mandate that a voter present a photo ID at the polls prior to casting a ballot. Acceptable identification must be issued by the state or federal government and include a photo, full name, and current address."
In the end there seems to be an indication that the Oklahoma Governor understands this is a law that will probably be struck down by the Supreme Court because the cost factor would unmake its legitimacy and Oklahoma doesn't currently have any plans to lose revenue from the fees garnered when ID's are purchased.
Governor Brad Henry's office released a statement
"A number of advocacy and civil rights organizations, including the League of Women Voters and the American Association of Retired People, have opposed voter I.D. laws on grounds that they could disenfranchise eligible voters. The non-partisan Brennan Center for Justice at New York City University estimates that as many as 11 percent of the nation’s eligible voters, some 21 million Americans, do not possess appropriate identification and could be denied the right to vote under voter I.D.
"While the idea of voter I.D. sounds good on the surface, there are valid concerns that such requirements would keep some eligible voters at home, particularly senior citizens and others who may not have easy access to a photo I.D or other identification. The right to vote is one of our country’s most precious freedoms, and the rights of all voters must be treated with great care and respect by elected officials," said the governor."
In the end the bill will probably be vetoed - but the specific provisions that were made for students marks an historic moment for young voters. Never before have we had a state where these bills are being proposed where the author agrees that students have every right to use their ID as a valid form of ID when voting. Its a great step forward for the youth vote and Rep. Joe Dorman should be commended for his work to ensure Rep. Tubbs understand the ramifications of not having this as part of the bill.
Send Rep. Dorman your thanks at joedorman@okhouse.gov.