A powerful example of how voter ID laws place unnecessary burdens on eligible voters appeared in The Times of Munster, IN on Monday. Diane Pearson spent two days making four visits to two different Bureau of Motor Vehicle branches and making multiple phone calls to the BMV main office in Indianapolis before 
getting her 20 year old daughter, Christina, a state-issued voter ID card. Why was it so difficult you ask? Christina has Down syndrome, lives in a group home, and does not possess one of the state-required residency documents.
Voting is a right enshrined in the US Constitution. The journey Pearson had to take in order to give her daughter the ability to exercise her right to vote is unacceptable. Supporters of mandatory, government-issued photo ID laws have yet to provide evidence of voter impersonation at the polls, yet countless families just like the Pearson's must take extraordinary measures to comply with an unnecessary law. Christina Pearson is fortunate her mother was able to expend a significant amount of time and energy to get her a state-issued voter ID card. However, many eligible voters across the country aren't so fortunate. They lack the time, resources, or the necessary information it takes to get these cards.
Let's hope the Supreme Court continues its tradition of protection the fundamental right to vote by declaring these laws unconstitutional.
For more information read the story, State ID wrapped in red tape.
