OPINION - EDITORIAL

The court speaks

With Thursday's ruling from the Arkansas Supreme Court, the state's voter identification law has been declared seaworthy, no holes. And now we can put one more matter to bed before early voting starts in a couple of weeks.

It's not an undue burden to require identification before casting a ballot, and the law sees to it the defense liberals typically use against the measure is disarmed. Opponents have argued requiring an ID card to vote is too burdensome because ID cards cost money. And if you have to pay money for an ID card, you're essentially having to pay for the constitutionally given right to vote.

Thankfully, our betters in the Ledge provided a way to solve this problem in their recently-upheld law. The Arkansas Secretary of State's office told us anyone who needs one can pay a visit to their county clerk and be provided a voter identification card, no charge. How about that? No charge.

Our county clerks have been given equipment that can produce a voter identification card the same day it's requested and without financial burden to the person who needs it. Now even those who struggle to make ends meet can still get a card and vote.

And if you happen to forget your ID card when you go to vote? No worries. The law states you can still cast a provisional ballot. Seems like all the loose ends have been tied up, and no dead folk will be voting in this upcoming election.

The ID issue on the ballot early next month? It's a backstop, we're told, to enshrine such requirements in the state constitution. So a court can't come along later, maybe much later, and throw the whole thing back into doubt and confusion. Either way, for now, the law's on the books. Have your ID ready when you vote.

Editorial on 10/16/2018

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