80% Believe Voters Should Be Required to Show Photo ID

80% Believe Voters Should Be Required to Show Photo ID
Wednesday, January 09, 2008

A recent Rasmussen Reports telephone survey found 80% of voters believe everyone should be required to show photo identification to vote. Only 13% disagree.

Today the Supreme Court will hear arguments on the constitutionality of an Indiana law, passed in 2005, that requires individuals to present photo identification when voting. Some segments of the population feel this law discriminates against those who are less likely to carry driver’s licenses or passports, such as the elderly, poor, disabled and homeless.

Those who support the law believe it preserves the integrity of the election process and eliminates voting fraud.

In the same telephone survey, 18% of voters believe that requiring photo ID unfairly discriminates against some segments of the population. Seventy-two percent (72%) disagree.

To measure the impact of that argument against requiring voter ID, Rasmussen Reports first asked voters about their views on the subject. Then, the question was asked about whether requiring ID would unfairly discriminate. Following that, we asked a second question about whether the choice before the Supreme Court. After hearing the objections, 77% believe the Court should rule that states have the right to require photo ID of voters. Just 16% disagree.

Two years ago, 77% of voters agreed with laws requiring photo ID to vote.
When it comes to concern about voting fraud, 17% say large numbers of legitimate voters are prevented from voting. A slightly larger number, 23%, believe that a large number of ineligible people are allowed to vote.