OPINION:
There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution that deal specifically with the privilege of voting. These are the 15th, 19th, 24th and 26th. The first section of each of these reads: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged … ” It is therefore obvious that the privilege of being an elector (voter) is reserved for citizens of the U.S.
The 14th Amendment tells us there are two qualifiers for being a citizen. First, the person must be born or naturalized within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Second, the person must be subject to or must subject themselves to the rule and jurisdiction of the country. As the Constitution is the “Supreme Law of the land,” (Article VI), we see that the person must affirm, or take an oath, that they will support and defend our Constitution by living according to its statutes. Every person must fulfill both parts of the requirements given in that 14th Amendment.
Consequently, it is not outside the bounds of reason to require that any person who wishes to vote should, at the time of registration, prove by official birth certificate or naturalization papers that they were born or naturalized here. It is also not unreasonable to require that they sign an oath or affirmation binding themselves to the rule of law and jurisdiction of the Constitution.
Thus it cannot fairly be deemed discriminatory that a valid photo ID be presented upon the submission of a vote.
RAYMOND DRYBURGH
Chambersburg, Pa.
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