“Voter ID bills try to solve problems that don’t exist”

Douglas Hess oped for the Des Moines Register:

Iowans should take pride in knowing that our state, like many Midwestern states, has a reputation for relatively even-handed public administration. Unfortunately, some officials are bruising that reputation with proposals to add new identification requirements to vote in Iowa and restricting access to absentee ballots.

Secretary of State Paul Pate is correct when he asserts that elections in Iowa need more funding. Moreover, his office’s proposed bills (here and here) include some reforms that could increase convenience for voters. Unfortunately, his proposal also includes unnecessary voter ID requirements.

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