Is Voter Suppression a Bigger Problem Than Voter Fraud?

What’s the story?

• Research by the nonpartisan Pew Research Group found that two-thirds of the public said "everything possible should be done to make it easy for every citizen to vote." Only a third said citizens "should have to prove they want to vote" by registering in advance.
• Responses break down, of course, by political party: 84 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say “everything possible should be done to make it easy for every citizen to vote”—only about 48 percent of Republicans say the same.

Is there anything both sides agree on?

• Pew found 76 percent of respondents favor requiring all voters to show a government-issued photo ID to vote.
• Republicans are more supportive of this than Democrats (91 percent vs. 63 percent).
• Majorities in both parties also favor making Election Day a national holiday—though more Democrats than Republicans favor this proposal (71 percent vs. 59 percent).

What do you think?

Do you consider voter suppression a bigger problem than voter fraud? Take action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com / smartboy10)