A flood of voter ID laws.

• Author: Bowser, Jennie Drage
• Position: STATESTATS

The number of voter identification bills over the last two years is unprecedented in the world of elections. No single election issue has garnered this much attention without a federal mandate. Not only is the volume of legislation notable, so too is tile political polarization this issue has caused. It's hard to separate election policy and politics, but few issues break along such starkly partisan lines as voter ID.

Fifteen state legislatures have passed voter ID legislation (although the bills were vetoed in three) during the last two years. The more controversial bills limit acceptable IDs to a few types of government issued photo IDs, without which voters will not have their ballots counted. The less controversial versions have a lengthier list of permissible IDs, no photo requirement, and some options for citizens without IDs to still vote. Supporters say these laws are necessary because at least 46 states have had some kind of voting fraud conviction or prosecution in the last decade. Opponents argue they will hinder many citizens" rights to vote, especially minorities, the elderly and students.

Types of VOTER ID Laws

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Notes for 2012:

* Laws in Alabama and Mississippi are awaiting preclearance under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.

* Wisconsin's law was declared unconstitutional, but still could take effect if the ruling is reversed by a higher court.

* In South Carolina and Texas...