Politifact Rates as “Half-True” Obama Statement that U.S. Only Advanced Democracy Making It Harder to Vote

Yeah, but its reason for saying half-true is the diversity of the U.S:

Obama said in Austin: “We’re the only advanced democracy in the world that makes it harder for people to vote.”

This statement leaves out important details–such as that only nine U.S. states have strict photo-ID requirements at the polls and 16 states haven’t imposed any such hurdle. So, the practices Obama is singling out aren’t uniform.

Also, a very few advanced democracies — Spain, France and Belgium — require photo IDs at the polls though it’s worth noting that those nations also make it easy for each citizen to have the accepted ID.

On balance, we rate this claim Half True.

I think the question is much more complex, and I’d point to new laws in places like Canada, for example, thaat also seem to be making it harder for some folks to vote. It is actually a complex question. You can’t just focus on voter id, for example.

I’d rate Politifact’s analysis here “half-assed.”

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