Response to “ID requirements endanger voter rights”:
The writer of the aforementioned article argues that the proposed law could prove detrimental to minority voting in South Carolina. Certainly, that is a cause for concern. However, the author’s reference to a recent National Association for the Advancement of Colored People report was mistaken; according to the actual report, 25 percent of African-Americans and 16 percent of Latinos do not possess valid photo identification, which is completely different than saying they “do not have any form of government-issued identification” (i.e., Social Security). The lack of valid photo ID is easily remedied in South Carolina through our state’s provision of free state-issued photo IDs to anyone over 17.
The writer also raises a concern that out-of-state students do not have state IDs, which could make it difficult for them to vote here. While 28 percent of the student body may be out-of-state students, a much smaller proportion of these students have actually changed their legal residency to South Carolina, which is a requirement in order to vote. For those few students who have changed residency, they can also take advantage of the free ID service.
From personal experience, I have seen negligence in the polls. When I registered to vote, I opted to provide proof of residency at the polls rather than mail a photocopy. Imagine my surprise when, come election day, I was only asked to provide my voter registration card. I was never asked to prove even my residency, much less that I was the same person to whom the card was registered. While widespread cases of voter fraud have not been reported, it is much better to be safe than sorry. Because of the availability of free IDs, the proposed Senate bill hardly exists to jeopardize the voting rights of minorities or college-aged individuals.
— Caroline Hendricks, second-year European studies and biology student