What are voter ID laws?

Voter ID laws are laws that require a person to present a form of identification in order to be allowed to vote. In Washington State, the law requires all voters to show an approved form of identification when voting. These include a valid driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID card, tribal ID, and a concealed weapons permit. If a voter is unable to provide one of the forms of identification listed, they may cast a provisional ballot, which the county auditor will review and decide if it is valid. Some voter ID laws also require information on the forms of identification to match up with the voter registry in order to be considered valid. These laws are meant to prevent voter fraud. There has been debate concerning how effective these laws are at preventing fraud. There are some concerns that these laws could create a barrier to voting, preventing eligible voters from casting their ballots. Supporters of voter ID laws argue that they are necessary to ensure the integrity of the elections and the security of the voting process. In Washington State, the law is enforced by poll workers. They are required to check the validity of the forms of identification presented. If a voter does not present valid identification, their provisional ballot may be rejected. Poll workers may also challenge a voter’s eligibility based on their identity. In this case, it is the county auditor that must decide if the voter is eligible.

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What are voter ID laws?

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