Study: Stricter voting ID rules hurt '04 turnout (USA Today)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-02-19-voter-id-study_x.htm

By Richard Wolf, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Voter identification requirements designed to combat fraud can reduce turnout, particularly among minorities, a new study shows.

A study by the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University shows turnout in 2004 was about 4% lower in states that required voters to sign their name or produce documentation. Hispanic turnout was 10% lower; the difference was about 6% for blacks and Asian-Americans.

The study, presented to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission this month, comes as voter identification requirements are being subjected to increased scrutiny. Two researchers last year told the Election Assistance Commission that they found little evidence of voter fraud at polling places.

Thomas O'Neill, who led the Eagleton research team, said the new study shows that "the harm may be as great as the benefit."

The commission's chairwoman, Donetta Davidson, called the study "premature." More work needs to be done, she said. "You can't make determinations based on one year," she said. "We have new states that have ID requirements now that weren't in that review."

In 2005, Indiana enacted the nation's stiffest photo ID law. Yet turnout increased 2% in November compared with 2002, the previous non-presidential federal election year.

In local races before the November elections, "we could not find one instance where a legitimate voter could not vote," said Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita, a Republican.

Under federal law, first-time voters must verify their identity. Nearly half the states go further, requiring some identification from all voters — ranging from a signature to a government-issued photo ID, which is required only in Indiana.

Photo ID laws in Georgia and Missouri have been blocked in court. A photo ID law in Florida allows voters to choose from many forms of identification.

FULL STORY AT LINK.

[Karenina]

1. As they were DESIGNED to do.

:kick: