Apparently IDs are really expensive in some states?

(This problem could be solved by subsidising IDs for the poor and/or just reducing ID costs overall.)

not just expensive. in many states people can only get id during the work week and during work hours, assuring that people who cannot realistically take a day off work are unable to vote. also, in large states getting said id can require a many-hour drive, preventing people without cars or without the money to afford other long-distance transport from driving

Also, in some states, voter ID laws make it difficult and time-consuming to be issued a valid voter identification card if your current legal name differs from the name on your birth certificate - which is an issue for many trans folks, most married women, and practically all immigrants (i.e., because immigrants will typically lack an American birth certificate).

also showing our ID in australia is purely so we can get marked off the list and not get fined for not voting, because voting is mandatory here.
It’s to make sure everyone (or as many people as possible) votes, whereas the voter ID laws in the states are usually geared towards *preventing* certain groups of people from voting.

Always be suspicious of any law that’s ostensibly to solve something that’s not actually a problem. There’s basically always an ulterior motive at play.

As has been noted, the burden of voter ID laws falls disproportionately on marginalized people. People who tend to vote Democratic. It’s no coincidence these laws are being passed by Republicans.

They’re ostensibly to prevent in-person vote fraud, but… that’s not a thing.

Here in Canada, I can literally show up to the polls with nothing but a neighbour who says “Yeah, this is her, she totally lives at this address” and they’ll let me vote. Voter fraud of the type that ID laws would prevent… just doesn’t happen.

Preventing Democrats from voting so Republicans can boost their numbers, though… that happens. A lot.