Should New York require a government-issued photo ID at the polls every time you vote, as many other states have done? Should the state purge its voter rolls to target non-citizens?
The Advancement Project has released a new report alleging discrimination by 23 states that have such policies. The multi-racial civil rights group says those policies target voter registration and participation by Hispanic citizens.
These policies are new, the group alleges: "As with the voter purges based on alleged noncitizenship, state laws requiring documentary proof of citizenship—such as a certified birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers—to register to vote were previously unheard of in the U.S."
In New York, you will be asked for ID only once at the polls—the first time you vote if you did not provide identification with your voter registration form, according to Project Vote Smart.
Such "current and valid photo identification" include but are not limited to:
- Passport
- Government ID card
- Military ID card
- Student ID card
- Public housing ID card
- Any ID specified by HAVA and New York State law as acceptable
- Utility bill
- Bank Statement
- Paycheck
- Government check (social security, tax refund, military paycheck, or paycheck stub)
- Other government document documents with your name and address including but not limited to: voter registration card, hunting, fishing, or trapping license, or firearm permit.
Check with Project Vote Smart for more about registering and voting in New York State.
