John Fetterman's Pennsylvania Voter Comment Sparks Backlash
John Fetterman's Pennsylvania Voter Comment Sparks Backlash
On Wednesday, Democratic Pennsylvania Senate nominee John Fetterman sparked a backlash after making comments on the state's voter ID law. Fetterman, who is currently serving as Pennsylvania's Lieutenant Governor, said in an interview that he supports requiring voters to show identification at the polls, but that he believes the current law is too restrictive.
Fetterman's Comments
In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Fetterman said, "I support voter ID. I think it's important to make sure that people who are voting are who they say they are. But I think our voter ID law right now is too restrictive. It makes it too hard for people to vote, especially for people of color and low-income people." Fetterman's comments were met with criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
Democratic Response
Some Democrats accused Fetterman of backing away from his previous support for stricter voter ID laws. In 2019, Fetterman co-sponsored a bill that would have required voters to show photo identification at the polls. The bill was vetoed by Democratic Governor Tom Wolf.
Fetterman responded to the criticism, saying, "I've never backed away from my support for voter ID. I've always said that I believe voter ID is important. But I also believe that our current law is too restrictive. We need to make sure that everyone who is eligible to vote can vote easily and without fear of intimidation."
Republican Response
Republicans accused Fetterman of trying to change the election rules to benefit Democrats. Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said, "John Fetterman is trying to rig the election in his favor by changing the election rules at the last minute. This is a desperate attempt to win by any means necessary."
Fetterman responded to the criticism by saying, "I'm not trying to change the election rules. I'm trying to make sure that everyone who is eligible to vote can vote easily and without fear of intimidation. That is not a partisan issue. That is a democratic issue."
Data on Voter ID Laws
There is a lot of debate over the impact of voter ID laws on voter turnout. Some studies have found that voter ID laws can reduce voter turnout, especially among people of color and low-income people. Other studies have found that voter ID laws have little or no impact on voter turnout.
A 2014 study by the Government Accountability Office found that voter ID laws in Texas and South Carolina had a small but statistically significant impact on voter turnout in the 2012 presidential election. The study found that the voter ID laws reduced voter turnout by about 1% in Texas and 2% in South Carolina.
A 2016 study by the Brennan Center for Justice found that voter ID laws had no significant impact on voter turnout in the 2016 presidential election. The study found that voter ID laws did not reduce voter turnout among any particular group of voters.
Real-life Examples of Voter ID Laws
There are several examples of how voter ID laws have been used to suppress voter turnout. In 2012, a voter ID law in North Carolina was used to challenge the votes of thousands of voters, most of whom were African American. The law was eventually struck down by the courts.
In 2016, a voter ID law in Wisconsin was used to challenge the votes of thousands of voters, most of whom were students. The law was upheld by the courts, but it was later changed to make it less restrictive.
Conclusion
The debate over voter ID laws is likely to continue. There is evidence that voter ID laws can reduce voter turnout, especially among people of color and low-income people. However, there is also evidence that voter ID laws have little or no impact on voter turnout.
It is important to note that voter ID laws are just one of many factors that can affect voter turnout. Other factors include the ease of registration, the convenience of polling places, and the level of voter education. When considering the impact of voter ID laws, it is important to take all of these factors into account.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to require voters to show identification at the polls is a complex one. There are valid arguments on both sides of the issue. It is important to weigh the evidence carefully before making a decision.