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Learning Objectives

  • Characterization of Voter ID laws timeline and nature in the U.S. in 2012.

  • Critical evaluation of implementation costs of state Voter ID laws.

  • Positions of Presidential candidates in 2012 and 2016 elections regarding Voter ID laws.

  • Texas governor's stance on voter fraud incidence in Texas and issues related to available evidence.

  • Different types of voter fraud and which can be addressed by Voter ID laws.

  • Reasons behind the lack of factual basis in claims of voter fraud.

  • Tension between elections security through Voter ID laws and voter participation.

  • Events and current state of the Voter ID requirement in Texas post-federal court challenges.

  • Definition and functionality of voter registration drives.

  • Main components of the Texas voter registration drive requirements enacted in 2011, illustrated by UTD student Julia Shomenta.

  • Historical perception of Texas voter registration laws as harsh by advocacy groups.

  • Weaknesses in the arguments for easier voter access as well as for increased election security.

  • Common problems in arguments for or against Voter ID laws.

Voter ID Laws as of 2012

  • Voter ID laws gained traction in states post-2011; previously, only Georgia and Indiana mandated photo IDs.

  • A surge in states considering or enacting stricter voter ID laws in the lead-up to the 2012 elections, some requiring U.S. Justice Department approval.

  • Types of Voter ID Laws:

    • Strict Photo ID Requirement:

    • Photo ID necessary on Election Day or within a few days for votes to count.

    • Certain states, like Washington, allow voting without a photo ID if certain criteria are met (i.e., signed affidavits).

    • Non-photo ID Requirement:

    • Some form of ID required, but photo ID is not mandatory (e.g., North Dakota).

    • Vetoed Laws:

    • Some governors vetoed strict photo ID laws in 2011.

    • States Without Voter ID Laws:

    • States like Vermont and Maine do not require voter IDs.

The Financial Costs of Photo ID Laws

  • Estimated total cost for implementing photo ID laws across 35 states: up to $828 million over four years.

  • Breakdown of costs per state (examples):

    • California: $113.6 million.

    • Texas: $78.2 million.

    • New York: $66.3 million.

  • Concerns raised about these costs contributing to the disenfranchisement of voters, especially during fiscal crises.

Positions of Presidential Candidates

  • 2016 Election: Debate over the necessity of photo identification for voting.

    • Pro-Photo ID:

    • Mitt Romney (R): Advocated voter ID for preventing multiple voting, emphasized that IDs could be obtained free during voter registration.

    • Con-Photo ID:

    • Barack Obama (D): Opposed voter ID requirements, highlighting historical challenges faced by minorities and lack of significant fraud evidence.

    • Other Candidates: Candidates' positions varying; specifics were not detailed.

Incidence of Voter Fraud in Texas

  • Texas Governor Greg Abbott claimed rampant voter fraud, but investigations revealed limited evidence (e.g., 5 fraudulent votes among 1 million cast).

Types of Voter Fraud Targeted by Voter ID Laws

  • In-person voter impersonation is the main type aimed at by Voter ID laws.

  • Other types of voter fraud, such as mail-in ballot voter impersonation, remain inadequately addressed.

The Perception of Voter Fraud

  • Many claims of voter fraud stem from inflated voter rolls, but such inflation does not equate to fraud.

  • Voting irregularities encompass a range of issues; not all are solvable with photo IDs.

    • Key distinctions: Voter fraud involves individual actions, while election fraud involves officials.

Implications of Voter ID Laws

  • Voter ID laws raise concerns over undermining free and fair access to voting under the guise of preventing non-existent fraud.

  • Claims of massive voter fraud in recent elections often deemed baseless by research and studies.

Voter Registration Drives

  • Defined as coordinated efforts to facilitate voter registration for unregistered individuals; may involve paid solicitors.

  • State-specific regulations govern the conduct of voter registration drives, with many efforts facing legislative restrictions in recent years.

Changes in Texas Related to Voter Registration Drives

  • Recent Texas laws have increased challenges for voter registration groups, potentially violating First Amendment rights.

  • New restrictions include requiring state residency for workers, mandatory training, and in-person delivery of registration forms.

The Debate on Voting Access vs. Security

  • Discussion centered on whether security and access to voting can coexist; potential policies and attitudes required for acknowledging both sides' concerns.

  • Identified weaknesses in arguments from both perspectives, including use of exaggeration, incomplete information, and lack of respect in discourse.

Future Topics in this Lecture Series

  • Transition to practical problems or exercises designed to deepen understanding of these topics.