Federal Courts striking down state voter ID laws

BY RUSSEL ABAD

Voter ID laws are stirring up controversy across the country and have become one of the hottest policy topics in this election season.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 protects every American against racial discrimination in voting.

But in 2016 alone, Federal Courts have ruled voter ID laws unconstitutional in five states: Ohio, North Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin and most recently North Dakota.

Voter identification laws require official ID in order for a person to cast their ballot.

Many believe these laws keep eligible citizens away from the polls, especially minority, poor, elderly and disabled voters who may not have the necessary documents or money to get a photo ID.

Recent federal rulings seem to affirm this.

A federal judge ruled North Dakota's voter ID law as having "substantial and disproportionate burdens" for Native American voters

North Carolina's voter ID law was cited said to "target African-Americans" in an effort to reduce black turnout at the polls.

Texas strict voting laws was ruled as discriminatory and most likely to affect African American, Hispanic and poor voters.

Activists have advocated for expanding same-day and online voter registration. This could help stop voter discrimination and disenfranchisement.

Click through the gallery below to see photos of the North Carolina voter ID law:

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