Yes, requiring an ID might reduce fraudulent voting. But, if you are really interesting in reducing fraudulent voting, you want all your eligible voters to actually show up and vote.
If they don't, they leave their spot open for someone to come in, impersonate them, and vote in their stead.
So, it becomes to your advantage not only to require ID, but to ensure that those who do qualify for the ID, actually get that ID.
And use it.
The other day, I suggested that if election officials are going to require ID, they should go out of their way to make sure the person needing the ID, is given the ID -- even going to their homes to check their records, ensure they are eligible, take their pictures, and issue them the IDs.
My thought was, voting is a right. So, you do everything you can to ensure you are not depriving them of that right. My thought was, it does no real harm to make the home visit. Some would suggest it would be a logistical nightmare to go to their homes. I think not. You simply pack the machinery in your car, and go out and make the visit. How hard is that?
After posting my thoughts, I realized how this would be more than just a nice gesture to help this collection of voters. It would also help provide security for the election system. You want every registered voter to vote. Those people who don't vote leave open their spot for a criminal to come along and vote in their stead.
So, if you are really after cutting down on voter fraud -- if that is sincerely what you are after in calling for voters to be IDd -- then go out of your way to ensure that everyone on your voter rolls who qualifies to vote, does vote. And, that includes getting them IDs.
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