Why not make it easier to vote?

Re: "The lie on voting rights" letter from Larry Casey.

The article states that the Democratic Party wishes to allow anyone to vote without proof of being a registered voter. That is not what I believe is their aim. Having been an election judge in both local and national elections, I think they (Democratic Party) are wondering why local polling places are being reduced and qualifying to vote is becoming more restrictive in some states.

Considering that less than 40% of registered voters actually vote in any given election, why would any state make it more restrictive? It already is difficult enough to vote for some citizens, as they must work and have children requiring care.

Mr. Casey states that we require ID to purchase cigarettes, alcohol and enter a movie theater or restaurant, which is not always the case and has nothing to do with requiring your ID to be the same as when you first registered to vote or forcing a citizen to travel to another district to be able to physically vote.

Some states have been voting by mail for years and the process has been virtually painless and where this is the norm the percentage of voters actually voting is higher. Voter ID is not what is questioned, but rather why would a local government want to make it more burdensome on a citizen to vote?

Democracy requires participation by the people, not making it more difficult on the people to participate!

Mike Kelley

Gurnee