Voter ID Law Will Disenfranchise Older Voters

VOTER ID LAW WILL DISENFRANCHISE OLDER VOTERS

 

RICHMOND _ AARP Virginia joined with other voter advocacy groups today to voice strong opposition to pending legislation requiring stricter identification requirements to vote.

The following is the statement of AARP Virginia Advocacy Director David DeBiasi:

“Older people who have voted all of their lives shouldn’t have to worry about whether their vote will count on Election Day because they might not have the right form of ID.  We want to make sure that when older voters go to the polls on Election Day that their votes count.

“AARP has long-standing policy on ensuring that 50-plus Americans are not unduly burdened when voting and the pending legislation would place an unnecessary obligation on older voters. We have consistently urged opposition to unreasonable identification requirements that discourage or prevent citizens from voting.

“AARP Virginia opposed legislation during the 2012 General Assembly that made it more difficult for older people to vote.  The current proposed voter ID law is even more restrictive and will disenfranchise older, low-income and minority voters.

“Older people who have voted all of their lives should not have to prove their identity to continue to vote.”

 

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as health care, employment security and retirement planning.  We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.  aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP VIVA, a bilingual news source.  AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors and sponsors.  AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Learn more at www.aarp.org.