Voter ID laws are widely backed by Americans, including Hispanics

Hispanic Americans deeply believe in the promise of this country. Our stories are rooted in sacrifice, hard work, and faith in the American Dream. One of the most sacred rights that dream guarantees is the right to vote.

Hispanic Americans would welcome a voter ID bill like the SAVE America Act that would mandate proof of citizenship during voter registration and require valid identification at polling places, helping to protect the integrity of our elections. According to a recent Pew Research Center poll, 82 percent of Hispanics support showing identification to vote.

Also, for many first-generation Hispanic Americans, presenting ID at the polls is routine and widely accepted, as voter identification is a common and well-established practice in most of their countries of origin in Latin America.

Hispanics understand that in a nation founded on the principles of democracy and civic engagement, it is only logical that citizens should be required to present identification when registering to vote or casting their ballots. We already accept the necessity of showing ID for everyday activities such as boarding an airplane, opening a bank account, or picking up a prescription. Given that voting is arguably the most fundamental right and responsibility of citizenship, applying similar standards to the electoral process seems both reasonable and common sensical. 

It’s worth highlighting that support for voter ID requirements extends far beyond the Hispanic community. In fact, these measures enjoy broad and robust backing across the country. Pew research shows that 83 percent of Americans are in favor of voter ID laws. Similarly, Gallup reports that 83 percent of Americans support requiring proof of citizenship for first-time voter registration. These findings reveal that support for voter ID laws cuts across political and ethnic lines, making it a point of unity rather than division. 

What, then, has prevented voter ID from becoming the law of the land? The main argument of its opponents is that voter ID laws would place an unfair burden on minority voters, claiming that acquiring identification is particularly challenging for people of color and those with limited financial resources. It goes without saying that such arguments are patronizing and imply that certain groups are incapable of navigating basic bureaucratic requirements, which is not only inaccurate but also dismissive of their agency and resilience. 

Consider Puerto Rico, the poorest jurisdiction in the U.S., and with a 99 percent Hispanic population. Despite its economic challenges, Puerto Rico mandates voter ID, yet it consistently achieves some of the highest voter turnout rates in the nation. This demonstrates that, when required, people will take all the administrative steps needed to secure their right to vote.

The opposition to voter ID laws is, therefore, based on premises that do not hold up to scrutiny. It raises questions motive when people actively try to maintain vulnerabilities in the system that could be used for fraud, such as allowing votes by non-citizens and others not eligible to vote.

Despite resistance, renewed efforts to advance voter ID legislation are gaining traction. The SAVE America Act passed the House last month, and now moves to the Senate. 

Ultimately, voter ID laws go beyond promoting fair elections. They are fundamentally about defending civil rights by safeguarding the essential right to vote. Allowing non-citizens to participate in elections dilutes the influence of legitimate voters and undermines the democratic process. 

Voter ID represents a straightforward, effective measure to secure our elections and preserve the rights of citizens. Fair and transparent voting practices will strengthen our democracy and ensure its vitality for generations to come. Let us not forget, as President Ronald Reagan famously stated that, “voting is a precious right that for two centuries Americans have fought and died to protect.” This sentiment should remind us of the gravity of the issue at hand. 

Alfonso Aguilar is the director of Hispanic Engagement at the America First Policy Institute. Vincent Torres is the executive director of AFPI’s New Mexico Chapter. 

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