this post was submitted on 18 Sep 2024
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Can someone eli5 why it is controversial to require proof of citizenship to vote in the USA?
Because there are already multiple checks and barriers to entry in order to register to vote.
"What's the harm in adding one more" you might ask?
Historically speaking, voter fraud happens at extremely low rates, and not nearly often enough to influence national or state level elections. When voter fraud does happen it's predominantly someone (cough republicans cough) casting a vote for a recently deceased relative, and not an illegal alien voting fraudulently. Barriers to voting have a long and storied history in the US of specifically targeting minorities instead of preserving the power of the people.
This is why it is controversial. It's targeting a non-issue, distracting from the actual issue, and intended to suppress the votes of vulnerable citizens.
This appears to be referbcing registering to vote, "new voters". Not to actually vote. Is that wrong?
You already have to register in order to vote. When you register, the state confirms your eligibility to vote. These "proof of citizenship" "tests" that republicans continue to bring up are a very targeted attempt to reduce voter turnout in specific groups of people.
I understand what you're saying and am in agreement if that's the case, yet the article solely mentions requiring proof of citizenship across the country when registering. What tests are they trying to add to the equation? If it's just requiring proof, and everywhere already does that, how is this any different then ensuring some states can't remove that requirement from their local laws?
Whata really concerning is the other person I was talking with just downvoted me and never answered my question. Republicans have a way of making dems look bad in media. If their pursuit is truly just passing a redundant bill saying "in order to register to vote, you must provide proof of citizenship" and nothing else, then there is no reason to oppose this bill. It just gives Republicans ammunition to use in media saying "see dems want illegals to vote!!" . If their goal is to do something nefarious to actually make it more difficult to vote, then democrats should be able to clearly articulate what that thing is.
Gotcha. To answer your question, voter registration is managed at the state level. I'd have to do deeper check, but I don't think it is illegal to try to register if you are not eligible (in most "free" states), you'll just fail to be registered. It's already illegal to lie on the application, and there are provisions to verify eligibility at the state level.
Secondly, if this provison was meaningless, I'm sure Dems would let it pass. This is a (hopefully, but probably not) last ditch attempt from republicans to suppress the vote.
Third, no one with any capacity to reason is going to believe those republican knuckledraggers. Dems shooting down these provisions simply energize the mindless baboons that were still going to go out and vote for trump anyway. I guess it also gives republicans an excuse to say the vote was rigged, but they are going to do that when they lose in November regardless.