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by secabeen 618 days ago
In the United States, the lack of citizen identification cards is largely due to Republican opposition. People who lack ID are more likely to be democratic voters, so there is an incentive to oppose getting them ID. There's also a religious element for some people, connected to Christian myths about the end of the world.
1 comments
cryptonector 618 days ago
This is utter nonsense.
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consteval 618 days ago
It's kind of half true - there is an association between not having an ID and being blue. Because people without IDs are more likely to be people of color or of other marginalized groups, which then are more likely to be blue.

In addition, there's a strong conservative history of using voter id as a means of voter suppression and discrimination. This, in turn, has made the blue side immediately skeptical of identification laws - even if they would be useful.

So, now the anti-ID stuff is coming from everywhere.

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cryptonector 618 days ago
It's absolutely not true. People have to supply IDs for tons of activities. They have IDs. We know who they are. They are registered to vote -- how did that happen w/o ID? Of course they have IDs.
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consteval 618 days ago
The statistics just don't back this up. Plenty of, predominantly poor, people don't have driver's licenses. And that's typically the only ID people have. Also, poorer people may work under the table or deal in cash.
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cryptonector 618 days ago
Link the stats please. There are ID types other than driver's licenses. In fact, the DMVs around the country issue non-driver IDs that are every bit as good as driver licenses as IDs.
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consteval 617 days ago
https://cdce.umd.edu/sites/cdce.umd.edu/files/pubs/Voter%20I...

Feel free to find other sources too.

Many Americans do not have ID. I don't know why that's so controversial to say.

You don't need an ID to get a job, or rent, or do much of anything. Typically, a bill + address suffices.

You're correct SOME states offer ID that IS NOT a Driver's License. However, there's no reason to get this - why would you? Again, you don't need it for anything so why bother?

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fwip 618 days ago
Where do you get this idea that you need to have an ID card in order to register to vote? It's certainly not a federal requirement.

In NY, you can register with ID, last 4 digits of your social, or leave it blank. If you leave it blank, you will need to provide some sort of identification when voting, but a utility bill in your name and address will suffice.

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