COMMENTARY | Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day to remind us that in the past discrimination was allowed, but today this day represents a day that everyone is equal with the same rights under the Constitution. In Columbus, S.C., many people gathered to honor his memory; however, they also gathered to protest the new state’s voter registration law. This new law requires voters present a valid form of photo identification when voting. Many have protested the law stating it is a form of discrimination against several minorities.
Currently, I live in Alabama, and many years ago my state passed legislation requiring a type of photo identification for voting purposes. In today’s world, you are required to have identification to legally drive a car, buy alcohol, get a college ID, to buy a home, or to get credit. Photo identification should be legally required to be able to vote; however, many people are being extreme stating it is a form of discrimination.
We are in a world rampant in identity theft and illegal immigration. The requirement of photo ID is a way to prevent voter fraud in the country. The election has the potential for abuse, and some people are not above fraud to make sure that their chosen candidate wins. This legislation will help prevent incidents of false voting and multiple voting. Some say it is a discriminatory against some minorities and the poor; however, it really isn’t a law targeting minorities at all. Ideally, getting a driver’s license ID is not really expensive or hard to get.
In our country, voting is a privilege and a right for every citizen regardless of race, sex, disability, etc. We are electing the leaders we hope to lead us for the next two, four, or six years. States should have a right to properly legislate whether or not they want identification. The law has currently been repealed. Under the Obama administration, states are now having to fight just to keep their rights to make laws.
Jeffrey Collins. Hundreds mark MLK holiday outside of SC capitol. news.yahoo.com