A Stitch in Haste

I blogged back in July about a new law Georgia law that requires a government ID in order to vote in person. I was, and still am, generally supportive of the law, which does nothing more than reinforce the principle that it's not "make every vote count," but rather "make every valid vote count."

Is it any surprise that the New York Times disagrees?

People with driver's licenses are fine. But many people without them have to buy a state ID card to vote, at a cost of $20 for a five-year card or $35 for 10 years. The cards are sold in 58 locations, in a state with 159 counties. It is outrageous that Atlanta does not have a single location. (The state says it plans to open one soon.) But the burden is also great on people in rural parts of the state.

This is, of course, utter nonsense.

First of all, the people in "rural parts of the state" almost certainly all own or have access to cars or other transportation.

And for those few who don't, we're talking about $3.50 per year.

And anyone who declares on a form that they're indigent can have the fee automatically waived. No proof required.

If that's the current state of "oppression" in America, then the Times should be celebrating, not lamenting.

As for the "poll tax" histrionics -- a poll tax, by definition, is paid by everyone. The Georgia law is not a tax on voting, but rather a cost of voting. It is not incurred by everyone and indeed is hardly incurred by anyone. And the indigent are exempt.

Hardly sounds like a "national disgrace" (the Times' term).