I could have jumped into any message here - any would do. There's no system here, partly because of the generally confederate sentiment. Yep, I know, this is a federation because the confederates lost the civil war, but by definition, a federation would have more in common than the states which are united do. See below...

>>I think it is a real problem - there are millions of people who don't drive or can use other things that require photo ID.
>Most states have an ID card that can be used as a form of identification for those without a drivers liscense.

Most, but not all. There is no system.

>>How are housebound people to get an ID?
>How are they going to get to the polling place? That sounds like an unfeeling comment but I think it's legitimate. If they can arrange to get to a polling place they can arrange to get some valid identification. If they are truly housebound they can still vote by absentee ballot.

Why would they have to arrange anything? Back home it was normal to have teams of party activists (from several parties) get in the car and drive to these people and collect their absentee ballots. All official, of course, they had their authorization - they were organized by electoral committee.

>>How are those who don't drive (or drive anymore) to get in ID?
>Most states have an ID card that can be used as a form of identification for those without a drivers liscense.

Most, but not all. There is no system.

>>What are the very poor to do?
>I'm not sure that this is particularly relevant. I would expect most have some sort of valid ID so that they can qualify for whatever aid programs they participate in. I would not be surprised to find "action groups" organizing to fund the cost for those who can't afford to get the ID card.

Afford an ID? Wow. If the government wants me to have an ID, it better pay for it, or make it ridiculously cheap. I've had an ID since age of 16 (though it was mandatory after 18, but I just wanted to have it), and it never cost more than a bus ride.

>>All this requirement can do is to reduce the numbers who vote - which will be used as 'proof' that there must have been voter fraud going on befor.
>I'm appalled that I can walk into a polling place, sign the register, and get a ballot without having to prove that I am who I say I am. I've asked poll workers how they protect against voter fraud and the answer is basicly a shoulder shrug

That's democracy? Anyone can vote anywhere? In some states, right. There's no system.

There isn't any sort of unified system which can sort of guarantee that everyone can vote once and only once? Sheesh, you should see how it's done in some less sophisticated countries. First, you're automatically registered when you come of age and your address is known, simply by being in the citizens' registry. When there are elections, you get an invitation - your polling location is there, open 7:00 to 20:00 (yes, everyone knows that day has 24 hours :) - in your mail. If you don't receive it or there's any other fault, there's a period of about ten days, which ends a week before the election day, when you can complain and get your registration straight.

When you vote, the ballot committee checks your ID, matches the address on your ID and on your invitation (yes, you must bring it) to their lists, circles your name or marks somehow that you've shown up, and then you get your ballots to circle the ordinal numbers of the candidates of your choice.