Don’t be put off by new voting law

Published 10:20 am Friday, October 17, 2014

November will be here before you know it, and that means another Election Day.

But what’s making this one notably different isn’t the candidates or issues as much as the new rule to provide a photo ID at the polls.

Last year, the Virginia General Assembly voted to require that all registered voters present such an identification when they cast their ballots.

That’s hardly a complication to most Virginians who have a driver’s license, a veteran’s ID card or even an employee photo badge.

In daily life, photos IDs are needed for so much else that people do on a regular basis, such as banking, traveling and working. It’s become difficult to even imagine why everyone doesn’t have some form of a photo ID.

But what about those citizens who, for one reason or another, have none of the approved IDs?

Is the new law really such as a hindrance as opponents have claimed? Some have stated that the picture ID is another obstacle to voting. That the rule even somehow targets college students, low-income or impoverished voters, minorities and senior citizens.

Whether it is true or not, a photo ID can reduce the incidence of voter fraud. That’s a legitimate concern, especially in other countries. But it’s one that’s being addressed in Virginia.

We also want to point out that the state has provided plenty of time and an accessible way to obtain a photo ID.

Completing the necessary step is as simple as going to the nearest voter registrar and getting a card made for free. That’s right: free.

Lest we forget, applicant voters should be aware that they first need to ensure they’re registered. The office can do that for you on your visit. Then the picture and signed card have to processed, and that can take about a week or 10 days, so please don’t procrastinate.

Nevertheless, the Constitutional right of being able to vote is a sacred one, and should be motivation enough for anyone to carry out that duty.

To learn more about getting the card, contact Franklin Voter Registrar Jennifer Maynard at 562-8545.

You can also visit www.elections.virginia.gov to learn more about the requirements for voting.