Voter ID laws are often enacted with the stated goal of _______________, but actually have the effect of _______________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Voter ID laws are often justified as a means of preventing vote fraud. However, studies have shown that voter fraud is very rare in the United States, and there is little evidence that voter ID laws effectively prevent it. On the other hand, these laws tend to disproportionately affect minorities and the poor, who are less likely to have the required forms of ID and may face additional barriers to obtaining them. As a result, voter ID laws can have the effect of suppressing turnout among these groups.

Voter ID Laws Are Often Enacted with the Stated Goal