All qualified voters can cast a ballot

Our voting process is sacred. As a poll watcher for years, I have watched Iowans line up and solemnly cast their votes many times. It reaffirms that a democracy is the most stable governing system as it derives its legitimacy from the will of the governed at every election. However, Iowa has secured the ballot with an ID requirement without any proof of systemic fraud. Iowa has only had 17 cases of voter fraud since 2011. This ID requirement may actually silence the voice of voters by denying a substantial number of qualified voters the ability to cast a vote. It is undemocratic to place artificial barriers in the way of qualified voters.

Voters must present an ID from a limited list of State of Iowa issued IDs, U.S. Military or Veteran IDs, Passports or Tribal IDs to vote in person. However, if a voter doesn't have one of these IDs on Election Day, another registered voter from the same precinct may attest for such voter by both voters signing an oath related to the voter who doesn't have those IDs. Never forget, on Election Day everyone who is a qualified voter can cast a vote either by properly registering to vote in person at the polls or casting a provisional ballot which will allow the voter to later correct any deficiencies which may prevent the ballot from being cast and counted. Qualified voters should never be turned away.

Slaton Anthony

Mount Vernon