In April 2006, a federal judge approved a law requiring all Indiana voters to provide current governmental identification before casting a ballot. However, the law has fallen under scrutiny and is being challenged, just in time for the 2008 elections.
The law, according to proponents, is intended to prevent voter fraud, but it faces strong opposition, mostly from the Democrats. They claim that the law has only prevented qualified citizens from voting and targets the poor, minorities, and the elderly, who cannot afford governmental identification or do not have the means of traveling somewhere to update their IDs.
"It was particularly galling for me since I was a former voting precinct committeewoman, and I, of all people, should not be missing an election," said Criswell.
Supporters of the law, however, who are mostly Republicans, believe the law would help stop voter fraud. And while Indiana has not had any "voter impersonation" to date, Republicans argue that prior evidence that "fraud was actually taking place" is not necessary. Instead, the law would be there to deter any voter fraud in the future.
"The state's interest in deterring voter fraud before it happens is evident from the monumental harm that can come from such fraud."
