Indeed, some studies, such as one from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, suggest photo ID laws may have contributed to a decrease in voter turnout in some states.
Voter ID laws probably have both effects. They could increase voter turnout among those who sense that their votes prior to the laws were canceled out by voter fraud, while decreasing turnout by those committing the fraud.
In 2012, more than 9 in 10 registered Wisconsin voters were estimated to have a valid form of photo ID. That left around 300,000 registered voters without a photo ID at the time. Mayer, who conducted the estimate, said it is unknown how many unregistered voters may lack the proper documents to obtain a free, state-issued ID.
I do not believe those numbers. Considering the number of activities that require some form of ID, it is hard to imagine that *anyone* (of voting age) does not have ID. I think those "estimates" were pulled out of the air, like many "estimates" that leftists toss around to advance their agenda.
As for the "harder to cheat" portion, Mayer conceded photo ID laws could be effective against in-person voter fraud. But he and others note that there have been few documented cases of in-person voter fraud.
Considering that voter fraud overwhelming works in Democrats' and other socialists' favor, do we really expect cases of voter fraud to be documented? You hear the stories every election--for example, about boxes of voted ballots miraculously being "found," giving the victory to the Democrat. What Democrat, having won by fraud, is eager to document that fraud? For them, the ends justifies the means.
I also don't buy the meme that voting needs to be made easier. I don't want people voting who are too lazy to take time to read the issues and study the candidates--i.e. the people who "benefit" from easy voting.
“I also don’t buy the meme that voting needs to be made easier.”
If I were King....not only would all voting be done in person on the day of election, they would have to show two forms of picture ID, and climb a tree to cast their ballot!
Early voting is a form of vote fraud. Our local Dems know who is voting and for whom well before election day.