Barriers to Voting Essay Sample

Voting in America has long been known as a free endeavor. This came along with the enactment of the 19th amendment to the constitution, giving women the right to vote, and the 15th amendment that allows for the voting of all, without restriction on race (Pruitt 1). However, even with the addition of this amendment, the south enacted a multitude of “including literacy tests, poll taxes, and other discriminatory practices” which were meant to, in a way, legally restrict black people from voting (Pruitt 1). Moreover, it is imagined that with the banning of such practices with the 1965 voting rights act that gatekeeping of voting to whites would no longer be present. Nevertheless, this is evident to be untrue. 

One of the most debated topics within our prior presidential election was the idea of voter fraud. Even the president at the time was certain his election failed due to fraud. Yet, voter fraud seems to be at an all-time low with the implementation of policies that require a Valid I.D, photograph I.D. For instance, to vote within the state of Michigan a person must have a valid photographic identification. This may seem easy to many of the people who are encountered on a day-to-day basis, nevertheless, identification proves far more difficult for the black and Latino groups to obtain. A retired engineer makes a statement on the law in Seattle that states that he must pay two-hundred and fifty dollars to obtain a new identity card. Something that makes him feel as though “the intent of this law is to suppress the vote. I feel like I am not wanted in this state” (Howaritz 1). Michigan is a state that requires voters to show photographs identification (Voting laws in every state 1), furthermore, with the enactment of such policy, black and Latinos have double the chance to face barriers to voting, in reference to white voters (Newkirk II 1). 

With the issues of mail-in voting last election, many Republicans found themselves distraught. Within Michigan, the already strict voting identification policy is currently being revised. Nevertheless, this policy adjustment is not to aid those unable to vote or to draw in greater turnout. The policy in the debate is stronger identification requirements for mail-in voting. This new provision to the Michigan voting policy would require mail-in voters to “include a copy of their photo ID, their driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number” (Associated Press 1). The policy is an obvious lash of the republicans due to the turmoil on mail in voting. However, the policy only seems to backlash as a reported twenty-four percent of white Americans vote by mail (Cstewart 1). As shown, it appears to be that majority of the republican party enacts policies that require stronger voter identification. This then strengthens the life of such policy and continues the decline of marginalized voters occurring on both a federal and state level. 

The federal policy on voter identification states that it is up to the state to determine what, if any, identification is necessary upon voting. Moreover, it is evident that much of the federal law makes attempts at combating illegal voter gatekeeping. This has been shown throughout history with enactments to voter rights. However, allowing states to choose what restrictions apply has proven dangerous. Minorities, specifically in impoverished areas, are known to lack many of the voting opportunities that many people are allotted. The voter identification policy in Michigan does not allow for any identification that does not contain a photo. For many minority groups, it is common to not have a driver's license. Although these policies may be targeted at fraudulent voters, the effects ripple through the minorities and continue the racist biased known throughout United States voting. 

People may argue that republicans have deep-seated hopes to keep blacks and Latinos from voting because it hurt their turnout, however, it is better to stick with the narrative that republicans wish to deter voter fraud. Voter fraud within the United States has been occurring from long before the right to vote wherever offered to ethnic groups, however, this does not mean it is not an issue. The issue of voter fraud has long been debated but research shows it is a long over-exaggerated issue. Masood Farivar delves into research to show that since 1992 there have only been a total of one thousand two hundred and ninety-six known reports of voter fraud. Furthermore, Alison Durkee, a reporter from Forbes, explains that only three people in Michigan were convicted of voter fraud in the twenty-twenty elections and voter fraud likely only accounted for less than one percent of votes. Rather than having stronger identification, it would be in the population's best interest to have a stronger algorithm for running names to a database. One major issue in voter fraud is double voting but with this algorithm, this would be heavily reduced. The current algorithms also seem to have a preference to double check both Latino and blacks more frequently. This new algorithm would allow for voter I.D policies to be heavily withdrawn so true citizens who lack the identification may still vote. Specifically, it would better the voting turnout if Michigan allowed other forms of identification and opened mail-in voting 

The state of voting policy should continue to better through time, but the issue stands that both sides see different ways to better the system. Republicans wish to see stronger restrictions, which will hurt minority groups. Democrats seek to have minor restrictions which may possibly open a world of fraud. The best option for voter I.D policy within Michigan and at the Federal level is to implement new algorithms. Also, rather than allow each state to choose what is best for identification, create a Univeral policy requiring less identification. Overall, changes to this policy will result in less bias toward the impoverished, blacks, and Latinos. This will allow for a greater voter turnout and a movement towards a greater, truer democracy.