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Delegates are grappling with the complexity of voting rights in America.
Delegates are grappling with the complexity of voting rights in America.
February 24, 2023
By LilyAnn Avery
The House Committee of Oversight and Government recently held a session on voting rights, proposing a new act called the P.O.V. act that aimed to “protect voters' voices.” The proposed bill would allow every voter to show their Voter ID, which is provided with registration, before casting their ballot. Although the bill couldn't be mandated, it aimed to incentivize states to comply with the proposed legislation. States that complied with this bill would receive a 2% tax cut from state taxes as a whole, not individual people's taxes. The House Committee of Oversight and Government would enforce the bill.
The bill was sponsored by several members of Congress, including representatives from SC-1, FL-15, TX-1, VT-At-Large, TX-17, AZ-5, and OK-2. It was also cosponsored by representatives from KY-1, MI-14, and GA-10. The committee members discussed how this act could help increase voter turnout by instilling trust in the voting process.
However, not all committee members were in favor of the bill. The discussion highlighted the complexity and importance of voting rights, with various opinions and viewpoints on how to increase voter turnout while ensuring the security of the voting process. Representative FL-23 was against the bill, stating that accessibility was more important than requiring a voter ID. They argued that “voter ID is racist and classist. Voting is a right, not a privilege”. They believed that mandating a voter ID would not solve the issue of low voter turnout.
Representative TX-1, on the other hand, was in favor of the bill, believing that mandating voter IDs would secure elections and not restrict voter turnout. They also argued that having a voter ID would make people feel safe with their vote.
During the debate, fake IDs were brought up in question as a potential issue, but the authors of the bill avoided answering the question.
After much debate, the committee voted on a motion to amend sc. 3 of the bill and to change the tax cut to 0.5%. The amendment was deemed friendly. The committee tried to move to a moderated caucus, but the motion failed. They then voted on a motion to move to the previous question, which passed. In the end, the bill failed to pass with a 25-27 vote, with the committee members split almost down the middle.
The committee's failure to pass any bills during this session highlights the complexity and importance of voting rights. It is crucial to continue having open and honest discussions about this issue and to find a solution that works for everyone. While some committee members believe that mandating a voter ID would increase security, others argue that it would restrict accessibility and disenfranchise certain groups of voters. Balancing these concerns while increasing voter turnout is a complex issue that requires continued discussion and collaboration.
The P.O.V. act and the debate surrounding it also highlight the importance of voting rights on a national level. Voting is a cornerstone of democracy and ensuring that all citizens have the right to vote is essential. As the committee continues to explore ways to increase voter turnout and ensure the security of the voting process, it is crucial to remember that voting is a fundamental right that should be protected and accessible to all.
Voter ID laws Prominent in Election Security Debates
Voter ID laws Prominent in Election Security Debates
February 23, 2023
By Allison Markman
The debate over Voter ID laws took center stage in the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Thursday evening.
In a speech, Congresswoman Norton from D.C. made the case against restrictive voting laws, stating that the laws propagate voter suppression and hurt minorities. She further questioned their effectiveness, stating “the stats do not show they increase security.” Norton stressed that ID laws undermine votings’ existence as a right.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 11 percent of American citizens lack government issued photo IDs that they would need to vote under a voter ID law. These numbers disproportionately affect minority groups; 25 percent of Black people lack photo IDs compared to eight percent for their white counterparts.
In an attempt to remedy access to photo IDs, Republicans working on the bill proposed offering photo IDs for free, as opposed to their traditional 17 dollars (on average, it changes state by state). However, the ACLU asserts that there are costs associated with obtaining an ID that extend beyond the sole price tag for the card, including document, travel, and waiting expenses.
Still, Republicans support this bill on ideological grounds, arguing it will increase security and trust in elections. Not having voter ID laws “could lead to voter fraud and illegal immigrants voting in our elections,” Representative Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma said. “It's kind of like a precautionary measure like airport security.”
The analogy of airport security arose often in speeches from Republicans. However, the stark difference is that TSA imposed stricter airport security following the terrorist attacks on 9/11, a true attack, whereas there has been no proven fraud in the 2020 election, and this form of a response may not be warranted.
Still, Republican Nancy Mace of South Carolina links voter ID laws with the distrust in the outcome of the 2020 election. “In the 2020 election, a lot of people do not trust the end result, and we need to make sure that our American citizens trust the outcome of their elections, and don't think that there's any form of fraud in our highest forms of government,” Mace stated.
Lorelai Hawkin, a representative from the Republican National Committee expressed her support for Voter ID measures. “[The White House] they think it's okay for electionsthat to be diluted by illegal ballots, and it's not a priority in the America they are trying to shape,” she said in an interview.
Meanwhile, Democrats are turning the issue of election security into one of voter access, attempting to shift the narrative from voter ID to automatic voter registration.
“I think the focus on voter ID laws is kind of a waste of time, because voter ID laws are a very small part of voting rights. And it's more important that all Americans can vote,” California’s Jimmy Gomez declared. “Republicans just want ‘security laws’ because when more people vote, they lose elections.”
Debate on the issue will continue tonight, and the committee will soon take a vote on their Voter ID proposal.
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