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Letter by Diana Stover of Queen Valley
Being a citizen of the United States brings responsibilities, as well as rights.
We hear a lot about our rights, not so much about our responsibilities.
Voting is a right and a responsibility. Our laws define who can vote, what identification is necessary to prove eligibility, and the legal methods and means to cast a vote.
It is the responsibility of citizens to provide the proof they are eligible and to return their ballot in a legal manner. There are those who consider this voter suppression.
But is it financial suppression to require people to show up with identification when cashing a check at the bank? Is it traveler suppression to require people to show their identification before getting on a plane?
How about buyer suppression to require documentation to buy or rent a house, to open a credit card account, or get a loan? Are we suppressing education by requiring students to show ID to register for college?
The votes of rightful voters are suppressed by the votes of illegitimate ones; a vital reason people must be required to provide proof of their eligibility to vote, and vote in an appropriate manner.
It is beneficial if the government can securely provide multiple ways to attain voter identification, to register to vote and to cast a vote.
Ultimately a secure election process takes the effort and is the responsibility of every citizen of the United States.
