Letter: In support of voter ID for all elections
To the editor,
– I was prompted to write after reading that the League of Women Voters opposes requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. The League argues that such a requirement creates unnecessary barriers and disproportionately affects groups like military families, women who’ve changed their names, and rural voters. They claim it’s not about election reform but about restricting the vote.
I respectfully disagree. The right to vote is sacred, and protecting election integrity should be a shared priority for every citizen. Showing identification is a simple, commonsense safeguard that ensures each legitimate vote counts and helps prevent fraud or error.
Opponents argue that voter ID imposes an undue burden because not everyone has the proper documents. Yet we routinely show ID to fly, drive, bank, access medical care, or sign our children up for sports. If we can do so for those everyday activities, surely we can do the same for something as important as voting.
States can and should make IDs free and accessible to all. That’s a fair solution—not an excuse to avoid accountability. Secure, verifiable elections build confidence and strengthen participation. Requiring voter ID is a small step that yields great trust in our democracy.
-Dorian Baker, retired teacher, former Paso Robles School Board Trustee, current San Miguel resident.
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When you register to vote, you should have to show that you are a U.S. citizen. But you should not have to prove that when you go to vote. These laws need to be perfectly clear about where and when that proof is required. And it should be that way across all the STATES. Congress needs to get off its sad collective ass and pass some new voting laws.
When you register to vote, you should have to show that you are a U.S. citizen. But you should not have to prove that when you go to vote. These laws need to be perfectly clear about where and when that proof is required. And it should be that way across all the STATES. Congress needs to get off its sad collective ass and pass some new voting laws.