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Voter Identification Laws
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Voting Rights Act of 1965
During the 1960's, African Americans were being denied the right to vote based on outdated literacy test, and other tactics used to suppress the vote of minorities. This was one of the first significant pieces of legislation that affected American citizen's access to the right to vote and removed many discriminatory barriers. This law would be used in future SCOTUS decision when deciding voter I.D. cases. Image- (http://time.com/3985479/voting-rights-act-1965-results/) -
2000 Election
The 2000 election was one of the most significant turning points for the way elections are run, especially in Flordia. This event would be the main inspiration behind voter I.D. laws that are instituted in the Help America Vote Act of 2002. The election continues to have a major impact on election law today. Image- (https://www.britannica.com/event/United-States-presidential-election-of-2000) -
Help America Vote Act
The Help America Vote Act of 2002 was the first federal law that made it required to have a valid form of identification or their last four of their social security number to register to vote. If they don't, they have to show proof of I.D. when they vote. This piece of legislation still guides registration and voting today. Image- (https://nfb.org/hava-legislation) -
The Commission on Federal Election Reform
The Commission on Federal Election Reform dubbed the "Carter-Baker Panel" released their findings in 2005 recommending the use of voter I.D. in elections. This was one of the first bipartisan commissions unanimously calling for the implantation of voter I.D. during an election. This panel would have a major impact on policy, and state legislatures would begin ramping up their debate on identification at the polls. Image- (https://www.opensecrets.org) -
Crawford v. Marion County Election Board
This Supreme Court case was the major case in which voter identification laws were challenged at the highest court in the United States. The court ruled 6-3 that the Indiana rule requiring voter I.D. at the polls was constitutional. This case confirmed the use of voter identification in the United States and was a landmark decision that effects election law. Image- (https://www.queerty.com/a-one-page-screenplay-depicting-the-life-inside-the-supreme-court-breakroom-20130626) -
Foundation of the Election Identification Certificate
Starting in 2016, Texas's Secretary of State launched a new type o identification that could be used just for voting at the polls. This identification is free of charge and can be obtained at any Department of Motor Vehicles office. This type of I.D. would be great for minority voters that cannot afford regularly issued identification and would ensure that everyone has the opportunity to vote. Image- (http://blogs.rj.org/rac/2012/07/12/can-i-see-your-id/)
