New study from key swing state shatters popular narrative against Voter ID: ‘No evidence’
A recent study conducted in the crucial swing state of Wisconsin has found that voter ID laws have not suppressed the vote in the state, contrary to popular claims made by many on the political left. The study, conducted by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL), concluded that there was no statistically significant negative impact of Wisconsin’s voter ID law on overall voter turnout. In fact, the study found that turnout has slightly increased since the law’s implementation, challenging claims that voter ID requirements lead to widespread disenfranchisement.
Critics of voter ID laws have argued that these laws disenfranchise minority voters who may have difficulty obtaining identification. However, the study found “no evidence of a negative effect on turnout from the implementation of voter ID among non-white Wisconsinites.” The study compared turnout in Wisconsin over a 20-year period, starting with the 2004 presidential election and ending with the 2024 presidential election, including gubernatorial elections in between.
Will Flanders, research director at WILL, emphasized that the popular narratives about voter ID laws are not based on data. He stated, “When people make these claims that voter ID is this instrument of suppression, there’s really no evidence to back that up.” Flanders also highlighted that the study specifically looked at the impact on areas with more minority voters and found no evidence to support the claim that voter ID laws disproportionately affect these communities.
Jason Snead, Executive Director of Honest Elections Project Action, echoed the findings of the study, stating that voter ID laws enhance public trust in elections and lead to higher voter turnout. He emphasized that voter ID laws are overwhelmingly popular, with 36 states already having them in place.
On April 1, voters in Wisconsin will have the opportunity to vote on whether to enshrine the state’s voter ID law into the state Constitution. Polling data shows that the majority of Americans support the idea of requiring identification to vote, with over 80% of voters in favor of showing photo identification and providing proof of citizenship.
Overall, the study’s findings challenge the common narrative that voter ID laws suppress voter turnout, particularly among minority communities. The bipartisan support for voter ID measures, as shown in polling data, suggests that these laws are viewed favorably by a majority of Americans. The upcoming vote in Wisconsin will provide further insight into the public’s stance on voter ID laws and their impact on elections.
