In 2011, through a variety of proposals, lawmakers in more than 35 states introduced bills designed to suppress the votes of traditionally Democratic voters, including people of color, the poor, people who live in rural areas, seniors and students. Some passed, while others remain alive or will be reintroduced. Several of those measures include new voter photo ID requirements. The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University estimates such laws could disenfranchise 11 percent of voters nationwide who do not have the official IDs that would be required under these new and proposed state laws. Other legislation reduced early voting periods, restricted voter registration and toughened voter registration laws.
The common claim by backers of voter suppression laws is that voter fraud is rampant. But there is no evidence to support this. For example, in Wisconsin there were more UFO sightings (40) than reports of improper voting (14) out of the 3 million votes cast in the 2008 election.
