so isn’t the main problem which need immediate fix is the fact that they don’t have an Id. You do already have to have an Id for many basic thing. Getting an Id should be very cheap (even free for some) and very easy.
Personally, when I came to US as an immigrant it was very cheap and easy for me.
And in my home country in Europe everyone needs an Id to vote and no one complains.
You have the right to vote as a US citizen. Every little thing you do to add friction to that disenfranchises such populations. We're not talking about urban, educated people with means. To get an ID you will need other forms of identification, which depending on who you are and what your background is, can mean you have nothing to present.
Much has been written on this topic. I encourage you to do a little research before jumping to conclusions.
From the top link to a simple google query [1]:
• Rates of identification-ownership are highest among White individuals, while other ethnic groups disproportionately lack necessary photo ID. Thirteen percent of Blacks, 10 percent of Hispanics, but only 5 percent of Whites lack photographic identification.
• Lower-income individuals are less likely to have photo ID. Twelve percent of adults living in a household with less than $25,000 annual income lack photo ID, compared to just 2 percent in households with over $150,000 annual income.
• Young adults are less likely to have photo ID: 15 percent of 17-20 year- olds lack photo ID, and 11 percent of those ages 21-24 lack photo ID.
The way you read this is - hey, we shouldn’t require voter ID.
The way I read this is - holy sh*t, the government must rush and make sure all these people can get an Id easily (has nothing to do with voting).
I think there is actually an obvious good compromise here - Require Id for voting if and only if 99.5% (should be set by specialists) of county’s population has an Id. If the county doesn’t meet this threshold (I’d imagine most poor and republican counties) - don’t require it until it meets the threshold. Obviously people not being able to get an Id is somewhat an urgent problem that needs fixing.
Personally, when I came to US as an immigrant it was very cheap and easy for me.
And in my home country in Europe everyone needs an Id to vote and no one complains.