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Controversy Over Voter ID Laws Continues in US Presidential Election
选民证法案争议围绕整个美国大选
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA — As millions of Americans take part in early
voting across the U.S., many are casting their ballots amid a backdrop of new
voting laws in nearly three dozen states that require voters to produce
identification before they are allowed to cast their ballots.
The history of such laws are controversial.
More states have been requiring this since the September 11, 2001,
terrorist attacks.
"There were some who had said this would be a way to be able to prevent
people from illegally obtaining the right to vote, perhaps having terrorists who
have the right to vote. So all of a sudden, there was this discussion of whether
identification should be required," Andra Gillespie, a political analyst,
said.
Stricter voter ID laws
But in states like North Carolina which had a strict voter ID law since
2013, a court struck down the requirement earlier this year, saying it
discriminated against African-Americans.
Some black voters say the law had racist intentions.
"To suppress, fear and intimidate us [black voters]. What are they [they
lawmakers] afraid of? Let people exercise their right to vote their choice,"
said Thomas Fowler, a state resident and voter.
But studies suggest a decade-old voter ID law in Georgia has had little
impact on suppressing the vote.
"One of the ironies of the voter identification law here in Georgia is that
it has not had an adverse effect on African American voter turnout. So, in fact,
African American turnout has actually increased in Georgia since the passage of
the voter ID laws," Gillespie said.
Proponents of the strict voter ID requirements say they are designed to
eliminate widespread voting fraud. But critics contend there's no evidence of
widespread fraud.
Voter fraud penalties
Independent voter Scott Herrick says it would be foolish to commit voter
fraud because the penalties are severe.
"What is the payoff for it if I go and try to pretend I am somebody else
and cast one ballot and risk years of jail," Herrick said.
North Carolina political science professor Charles Prysby says voter fraud
is not a problem.
"There are different kinds of voter fraud. But the one that almost never
occurs is people coming down in person and trying to impersonate someone else,"
Prysby said.
Political analysts say they'll be watching to see if voter ID laws have a
negative impact on turnout among other minority groups in this election such as
Asian-Americans and Latino voters. |
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发表于 2016-12-4 13:29:17