Democrats consider national voter-ID law: A controversial proposal that could reshape voting access

The debate surrounding voter-ID laws in the United States has taken an unexpected turn as Democrats in Congress contemplate a policy once deemed unthinkable: a federal requirement for every American to show identification before casting a ballot. As the party seeks to pass voting-rights legislation ahead of the next election, an intriguing proposal is being largely ignored—what if the government simply provided every voting-age citizen with an ID card?

In countries like France and Germany, national ID cards are the norm, and citizens are accustomed to using them for voting and other essential tasks. Yet in the American context, the concept of a national ID stirs fears of government overreach, conjuring images of a surveillance state where citizens are constantly asked to “show their papers.” This fear has made national ID cards a politically toxic issue, despite being implemented in at least 170 countries worldwide, according to political scientist Magdalena Krajewska.

Historically, both Republicans and Democrats have rejected the idea of a national ID. Libertarians and civil-rights groups, like the ACLU, have long been concerned about privacy violations and government power. However, as Michael Chertoff, a former Secretary of Homeland Security, pointed out, the rise of big tech companies like Google and Facebook means that most Americans already share their personal information willingly with private corporations. The paradox is that while Americans fear government control, they often overlook the extensive tracking done by tech giants.

While the timing may not seem ideal—given recent public outcry over vaccine “passports” and perceived government coercion—polls suggest that opposition to a national ID isn’t as overwhelming as political leaders think. For nearly 40 years, national ID proposals have garnered majority support, spiking to 70 percent approval in the aftermath of 9/11. In a 2023 poll, 51 percent of respondents supported a national ID for voting, with even higher support among Democrats.

The most compelling argument for a national ID system is that it would address the current patchwork of identification methods that leaves millions of Americans without the necessary documentation to vote. Studies have shown that as many as 10 percent of citizens lack proper identification, with the burden disproportionately falling on Black, Hispanic, elderly, and low-income voters. Kat Calvin, founder of Spread the Vote, a nonprofit that helps citizens obtain IDs, argues that most Americans fail to realize how many people face this obstacle. Despite her organization’s efforts, Calvin estimates that at least 21 million Americans still lack the IDs they need to vote.

While Democrats have traditionally opposed voter-ID laws, fearing that they disproportionately disenfranchise minority and low-income voters, the party has begun reconsidering the issue, largely due to negotiations with Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia. In June, Manchin proposed voter-ID requirements with alternative identification methods, like utility bills, which could make the law less restrictive. Surprisingly, Democratic leaders like Stacey Abrams and James Clyburn have signaled openness to the idea, provided the law is fair and equitable.

However, many progressive activists remain wary of any compromise on voter-ID laws. Kat Calvin, for example, expressed frustration at the suggestion that utility bills could be used as alternatives to IDs, noting that many people her organization helps don’t have bills in their name. Her concern is that any voter-ID law, even with alternatives, could leave the most vulnerable Americans behind unless the government implements a universal ID system first.

The concept of a national ID, however, remains politically unpalatable. Even Clyburn, while open to some form of voter-ID law, firmly rejected the idea of a national ID. This reluctance illustrates the deep-seated fears that continue to shape the debate over voter-ID laws in the United States.

The current debate highlights a fundamental tension within American democracy: the desire to ensure ballot security without undermining the right to vote. As Democrats navigate this challenge, the question of whether a national ID system could ever gain enough political support to become reality remains unresolved. Until then, the issue of voter-ID laws will continue to stir controversy, as the nation struggles to balance security and access in its electoral system.