Voter identification law invasive to longtime resident

North Philadelphia resident Roland Jones does not like the idea of voter ID laws. Roland Jones, who lives on 18th and West Berks streets, said he has never had to show photo identification in past

opinion_feature
CONNOR SHOWALTER TTN Roland Jones expresses his views on the new voter ID law outside of his home at 18th and West Berks streets.

North Philadelphia resident Roland Jones does not like the idea of voter ID laws.

Roland Jones, who lives on 18th and West Berks streets, said he has never had to show photo identification in past elections.

However, this November voters in Pennsylvania will be required to present proper photo identification for the presidential election after Gov. Tom Corbett signed House bill 934 on March 14.

“It’s a critical law and it’s going too far,” Jones said.

Jones added that a voter registration card should be “enough” for polls to allow voters to cast a ballot for the candidate of their choosing.

Prior to the recent legislation, only first-time voters [newly registered or change of address] had to present identification to vote on the voting machine. No longer will voters solely be able to show a voter registration card to vote.

“[The law] is borderline invasive I think,” Jones said.

Jones added that senior citizens may be inconvenienced by the voter identification law as they prepare to vote. Some senior citizens may not carry photo identification with them, he said.

“Having lived their entire life in this country [senior citizens] should not have to,” Jones said referring to senior citizens carrying proper photo identification.

The law, which is aimed at preventing voter fraud, requires voters to show one of the following valid forms of identification: driver’s license, state identification card, elderly care identification, passport, student identification card, employee identification card or military identification card. Voters who do fail to show proper identification would be able to vote provisionally, according to Sean Carlin’s March 20 Article  “Campus split on voter ID approval,” p. 1.

“By voting you change these laws,” Jones who plans to vote in November, said. “By casting your vote it empowers you to change stupid and unnecessary laws.”

Connor Showalter can be reached connor.showalter@temple.edu.

1 Comment

  1. This is a satirical piece right?

    If not, please take Mr. Jones through security at the airport, and then ask him again about what inconveniences are reasonable in order to validate identification.

    Generations of Americans held the right to vote as sacred. Now it isn’t worth carrying a piece of plastic with you?

    I need a driver’s license to buy decongestants at the pharmacy! Somebody needs to advise them that they would fail the Mr. Jones convenience test.

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