OUR TIME DAILY TRANSLATION
We've heard you say it many times: "Politics is like a foreign language." Well, we agree.
Each week, we summarize, simplify, and interpret different major news stories and how they affect our generation. We'll give you our take, and you can decide for yourself.
LET’S IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
THE FACTS
New laws in Idaho, Kansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas require voters to show specific types of government-issued identification before casting a ballot.
A study conducted by the Brennan Center found that obtaining these specific IDs (for example, a birth certificate or marriage license) will cost citizens money and time.
Supporters of the new laws argue that voter IDs will prevent against voter fraud.
WHY WE SHOULD CARE
Minorities, young Americans, and the elderly are the most likely voters to lack a government issued ID. As a result of voter-ID laws, these demographics will have more difficulties voting than other groups.
Many people compare the new laws to a poll tax, a common method of voter disenfranchisement in the post-civil war era.
OUR TIME OPINION
No citizen should be expected to spend money in order to vote. It is important that the right to vote is protected under the law.
