Editorials: Voter ID - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorials: Voter ID

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By Collin R. Gaston - bio | email

  • Editorials

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:20:04 GMT
    Anyone who takes advantage of one of Alabama's most treasured assets – the elderly – should face swift and steep consequences.  Thanks to a bill passed in the final hours of most recent legislative session that
    Anyone who takes advantage of one of Alabama's most treasured assets – the elderly – should face swift and steep consequences.  Thanks to a bill passed in the final hours of most recent legislative session that

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:20:08 GMT
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
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MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

As the law stands now when Alabamians show up at the polls to vote we do not need a picture ID to prove that we are who we say we are.  As a matter of fact, there is an exhaustive list of acceptable forms of ID other than a picture ID that one can currently use.

Such items as a social security card, a birth certificate, a copy of a current utility bill … just to name a few.  Starting in 2014, if all is approved, Alabama will require photo identification in order to vote.

This has created a number of firestorms nationally including a rather large partisan one between Democrats and Republicans.  Democrats fear that ID laws could suppress votes among people who may not typically have a driver's license and disproportionately affect the elderly, poor and minorities.   Republicans look at it as a way to eliminate voter fraud.  Both sides stand firmly on their positions.

Ponder this – you need a government photo ID to board an airplane, to write a check, to purchase alcohol, to drive a car but some think it's too much of an unnecessary burden on voters that will cause massive disenfranchisement.

Come on – I wish we could trust everyone to do the right thing but that's not the world we live in.  Bring your photo ID, verify yourself, cast your vote legitimately and let's move on.

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