Voting Rights FAQ

A primer on new voting laws.

What You Need to Know  - In states around the nation, African-Americans, young voters, the elderly and low-income people may find themselves unable to cast ballots because of new restrictive laws. Conservative state legislators say they are trying to eliminate fraud at the ballot box, but civil rights groups and other advocates, argue that voter fraud is extremely rare and they simply want to turn back the clock by disenfranchising certain groups. Some, like the NAACP, have likened efforts to get new voting laws introduced or passed to the days of Jim Crow when Southern states prevented African-Americans from voting. Here’s what’s at stake. –Joyce Jones

1 / 11

What You Need to Know - In states around the nation, African-Americans, young voters, the elderly and low-income people may find themselves unable to cast ballots because of new restrictive laws. Conservative state legislators say they are trying to eliminate fraud at the ballot box, but civil rights groups and other advocates, argue that voter fraud is extremely rare and they simply want to turn back the clock by disenfranchising certain groups. Some, like the NAACP, have likened efforts to get new voting laws introduced or passed to the days of Jim Crow when Southern states prevented African-Americans from voting. Here’s what’s at stake. –Joyce Jones

/content/dam/betcom/images/2012/041/Politics/043012-politics-vote-2012-voters-5.jpg

2 / 11

What’s a Voter ID Law? - A voter ID law requires individuals to show certain kinds of government-issued or other state-sanctioned photo ID cards at the polls before being allowed to vote.(Photo: Jamie Rose/Getty Images)

Photo By Jamie Rose/Getty Images

Which States Have Passed Voter ID Laws?  - So far, Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin have passed such laws. Twenty-four other states are considering similar legislation. (Photo: John Gress/Getty Images)

3 / 11

Which States Have Passed Voter ID Laws? - So far, Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin have passed such laws. Twenty-four other states are considering similar legislation. (Photo: John Gress/Getty Images)

Help Wanted - You've registered and voted early? Why not become a voting rights volunteer and work as a trainer, poll worker or monitor? For more information, send an email to toolkit@lawyerscommittee.org, visit www.nationalactionnetwork.net/FS2014; or email your interest to ncbcp@ncbcp.org.  (Photo: David Greedy/Getty Images)

4 / 11

How Does the Requirement Disenfranchise Voters? - According to a report issued by the Center for American Progress, more than one in ten voters do not possess photo IDs. Twenty-one million American citizens and approximately 25 percent of African-Americans do not possess a current and valid form of government issued ID, compared to 11 percent of all races.(Photo: David Greedy/Getty Images)

How Many People Would Be Affected? - More than five million people could be affected by the rules already in place, according to a report from the Brennan Center for Justice.(Photo: The Washington Times/Landov)

5 / 11

How Many People Would Be Affected? - More than five million people could be affected by the rules already in place, according to a report from the Brennan Center for Justice.(Photo: The Washington Times/Landov)

ADVERTISEMENT
Are the Specific IDs Difficult or Expensive to Obtain? - States are providing the IDs for free, but individuals may have to pay for certain documents like birth or marriage certificates in order to apply for the IDs, a move that can be costly. Other people may find it challenging to get to the Department of Motor Vehicles because of the distance or due to operating hours that conflict with their work schedule and not being able to afford to take time off to get the ID. In addition, it will likely cost already cash-strapped states millions of dollars to provide the IDs, and that means other more vital services could be cut.(Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

6 / 11

Are the Specific IDs Difficult or Expensive to Obtain? - States are providing the IDs for free, but individuals may have to pay for certain documents like birth or marriage certificates in order to apply for the IDs, a move that can be costly. Other people may find it challenging to get to the Department of Motor Vehicles because of the distance or due to operating hours that conflict with their work schedule and not being able to afford to take time off to get the ID. In addition, it will likely cost already cash-strapped states millions of dollars to provide the IDs, and that means other more vital services could be cut.(Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

What If I Already Have a Voter Registration Card? - Voters who are already registered to vote and have been casting ballots for years would still be required to present a photo ID.(Photo: John Gress/Getty Images)

7 / 11

What If I Already Have a Voter Registration Card? - Voters who are already registered to vote and have been casting ballots for years would still be required to present a photo ID.(Photo: John Gress/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: John Gress/Getty Images

/content/dam/betcom/images/2012/041/Politics/043012-politics-vote-2012-voters-7.jpg

8 / 11

What About My College ID? - Some laws would prohibit students from using their college IDs to vote because they don’t show a local address. Many students vote in the state where they attend school and many don’t have a valid ID from that state. They would be required to get a state-issued ID well before primary day or Election Day. So far, laws in Wisconsin, Texas, South Carolina and Tennessee ban the use of student IDs.(Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2012/041/Politics/043012-politics-vote-2012-voters-4.jpg

9 / 11

What Are Some Other New Restrictions? - Other restrictions include shortened early voting periods, extended residency requirements in order to register to vote and requiring voter registration groups to submit voter registration forms within a certain time period or face fines. In Florida, the early voting period has been cut almost in half, ex-felons who completed their sentences can no longer vote and it is now much more difficult for groups like the League of Women Voters to register new voters.(Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

How Do I Find Out If the Rules Have Changed In My State?  - Electionprotection.org compiled a map of state voter ID requirements and other restrictions that includes new laws passed or under consideration.(Photo: John Gress/Getty Images)

10 / 11

How Do I Find Out If the Rules Have Changed In My State? - Electionprotection.org compiled a map of state voter ID requirements and other restrictions that includes new laws passed or under consideration.(Photo: John Gress/Getty Images)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2012/041/Politics/043012-politics-vote-2012-voters-11.jpg

11 / 11

What Should I Do If My Voting Rights Are Violated? - Voters can report discrimination complaints to the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division by calling 800-253-3931 or the NAACP’s hotline 1-866-MY-VOTE-1. The NAACP hotline also provides information on voter registration, polling locations and tools to report incidents at polling stations. (Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)