Commentary: Mr. Devries (Las Cruces Sun News-6/26) is incorrect. Voting is a constitutional right. His stated ID examples aren't. Also, he ignores lack of meaningful evidence of US voting fraud. Even former NM Secretary of State (SOS) Duran couldn't find such here. Voter ID is a solution to a non-problem; any cost related to a new "voter ID" for citizens is a poll tax. Why do it?
Democracy is being stolen with partial support from the courts and republican elected officials who either don’t care about court rulings or use them to advance suppressive and Jim Crow-style practices. Another methodology may be emerging - an un-nuanced tiered system. Previously, two states so experimented. Federal Courts deemed Illinois’ system too restrictive and Mississippi’s by the US Department of Justice because of the Voting Rights Act (VRA).
Arizona is implementing its 2004 statute this November and is suing to modify Federal election forms for state citizenship requirements. Kansas' Sec. of State announced 6/23 it’s moving forward with its two tiered system. Votes will not be counted in state or local races this November for anyone registered on Federal forms without citizenship proof for the state… Or more simply - two sets of ballots - one for national races, one for state and local races. “We really hope that is not the start of a trend.” (ACLU Voting Rights Project) Two tiers is cumbersome, messy, confusing and slow, with lots of governmental fraud potential.
US voting rights varied until the 1960’s. The 2013 gutting of the VRA - on specious grounds at best by the Supreme Court - re-opened suppression opportunities. It's time to again reinforce the VRA and "one person one vote.” Make voting easier for all American citizens.
“The elective franchise, if guarded…, will peaceably dissipate all combinations to subvert a Constitution…”. (Jefferson)