Article Summary -
Eight states, including North Carolina and Arkansas, have implemented stricter voter ID laws since the 2020 election, affecting approximately 29 million voters, including one in six voters in anticipated 2024 battleground states. The new laws have a range of stipulations, from requiring voters to present government-issued identification to not accepting affidavits in place of ID, and have been met with controversy, with critics arguing they disproportionately deter low-income people and people of color from voting. Despite arguments that such laws are necessary for election integrity, studies have found voter fraud rates to be exceptionally low, and a federal lawsuit against North Carolina's law is set to go to trial in spring.
New Stricter Voter ID Laws Affecting Super Tuesday Voting in North Carolina and Arkansas
Super Tuesday sees stricter voter ID requirements in North Carolina and Arkansas. Eight states including these have introduced such laws since the 2020 elections, impacting 29 million voters. One in six voters live in potential 2024 battleground states with new ID requirements including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Varying State Policies and Laws
Policies differ from state to state. Ohio accepts only state or federal government ID, while North Carolina permits student IDs, military, public assistance and tribal cards. Some states provide free ID cards or allow affidavits for identity verification. The stricter regulations are the culmination of years of legislative changes, like North Carolina's law passed in 2018, which was blocked three years later by the state Supreme Court, which ruled the law was “motivated at least in part by an unconstitutional intent to target African American voters.”
Change in Arkansas Law and Federal Lawsuit
Arkansas' new law now requires voters to return with photo IDs to count their provisional ballots. A federal lawsuit against North Carolina's law is due this spring.
Increasing Prevalence of Voter ID Laws
Voter ID requirements have increased since a section of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was removed, which had necessitated federal approval for voting-related changes in states with a history of voter discrimination. Since then, at least 25 voter ID laws have been implemented, some of which have been invalidated in court.
Rationale Behind Voter ID Laws and Potential Disparities
Despite low voter fraud rates, some lawmakers believe voter ID laws ensure secure elections. Critics argue that these laws disproportionately deter low-income individuals and people of color from voting. A University of Maryland report states that 29 million Americans did not have current driver’s licenses and 7.6 million lacked nonexpired government-issued photo IDs in 2020. These laws and their impact on turnout continue to be a contentious issue.
Upcoming Voting Laws and Impact on Voters
More voting laws are expected, with some lawmakers aiming to pass more legislation in the name of election integrity. Critics argue that these laws will continue to inhibit voters. As these changes roll out, voters are encouraged to stay informed about the latest requirements to ensure their votes count.