Letters to the editor: IDs for voting seems right way

I am writing in response to the Harry’s Gang column (Feb. 26) written by Pete Radosevich about voter ID and the right to vote. First, while being a constitutional right to vote, there are times when this is removed: meaning not every adult American has the “right” to vote.

He stated that it has been proven there is “virtually” no voter fraud in Minnesota. While that may be true, why not make an effort to make it more difficult for it to happen?

In this country we have IDs for almost everything, student, state, military, IDs for police, correctional officers, state employees — they’re only inconvenient or hold you back when you don’t have one, so get one. We truly do not know how much fraud occurs during elections. I’ve worked for years with felons who’ve had multiple IDs; there is no reasonable reason not to have a picture ID when voting: they’re easy to get with proper documentation and they come in handy far more than they’re an obstacle.

I wholeheartedly support a national ID associated with your social security number. It would clearly prove your eligibility and fulfill a checks and balance, ensuring that only citizens vote and that the individual has not had that right removed. I am also completely opposed to mail-in ballots for any other reason except you’ll be out of the country or out of your voting district during the vote. That would need to be proven also; talk is cheap.

Truth be told, I think it’s time to move beyond even IDs. The most important job in America is to be a voter and, since you have to meet requirements regarding most every other job, maybe it’s time to look at that for voters also.

Trevor Weston, Holyoke