Yesterday, the Senate defeated Senator Mitch McConnell's latest attempt to attach an amendment requiring photo ID to vote to the immigration bill.

Republicans use voter ID as a wedge issue — you need photo ID to rent a movie at Blockbuster so why not to vote, right?  WRONG.  renting is not a constitutionally protected right, but voting is.  Under the guise of preventing voter fraud, Republicans in Congress and in state legislatures across the country attempt to suppress the vote — mainly that of minorities and young people.

Numerous independent studies have shown widespread voter fraud simply does not exist and requiring photo ID at the polls would do nothing to stop the few documented cases of fraud (mainly involving absentee ballots).

This is an issue of critical importance to young people.  I don't know about you, but I haven't lived at the address listed on my driver's license for 6 years.  Imagine the injustice and chaos on Election Day if millions of young people (yes, millions) are turned away at the polls because their ID does not match the address on the poll books.  We must do everything we can to help our friends and peers re-register at their new address when they move.  But adding an unnecessary, undemocratic, and divisive ID requirement is not the way to help anyone vote.

To learn more, go to the National Campaign for Fair Elections website.