North Dakota is the only state in the country without voter registration, which makes voting easier in theory. The American Civil Liberties Union, however, calls the state’s voter identification laws the most restrictive in the nation. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians are suing the state over voter identification laws. In response, a federal judge told the state it must allow voters to fill out an affidavit to vote in the 2016 general election. Lawmakers argue these affidavits allow people to vote illegally by claiming they live where they don’t.
A new law would allow legal electors to vote on election day using set-aside ballots, then return with a valid ID within six days
Opponents say this would still disenfranchise a large portion of voters, especially Native Americans. “The current system isn’t working. They don’t understand that what they’re filling out is a legal document and they can be prosecuted by falsely swearing to that legal document,” said Michael Montplaisir, Cass County auditor.
“When it comes right down to it, voting is a fundamental right. It’s not like getting on an airplane,” said Jennifer Cook, ACLU North Dakota.
Full Article: Lawmakers considering changes to the state’s voter ID laws.