L. Jensen: Photo ID won’t hurt voting access

This is in response to Norman Smith’s letter (Jan. 28) in which he referenced voter ID laws and Patti Gagne’s letter (Jan. 24).

As a candidate for the Legislature, on Election Day I stood at The Green Ladle for a while with Gagne, greeting voters from Ward 6. We welcomed many individuals to the polling place — individuals of every socio-economic background — greeting every person with the equality and respect all human beings deserve.

The right to vote is precious. Voting should never be a difficult process. But requiring a small amount of effort in order to vote is not asking too much of the electorate.

Everyone has the right and ability to vote. A positive reform, such as requiring a photo ID in order to vote, will not change how voters feel when they are in the ballot box making those important decisions. Thinking otherwise only marginalizes the equal power we each hold through our ballot cast. It means our elections are not determined solely by the opinions of the voters.

Any change in the system is bound to affect at least one group of people in at least one way. The influence of political parties cannot be allowed to dissuade the public from a reform that better protects the right to an equal vote.

Regarding a political right to free transportation to the polls — it didn’t make James Madison’s list, but I like to think he would have chuckled and asked why individuals refused to walk with their own two legs.

Luke Jensen, Lewiston