Millions of US voters could be turned away at the ballot box in this November’s presidential election as new rules impose tough requirements for identification that observers say could lead to minorities and young people – traditionally more likely to vote Democrat – being excluded.
Almost all the new rules have been enacted in states with Republican governors and GOP-led legislatures. From Wisconsin to Texas, they have passed strict legislation requiring voters to present certain forms of government-issued identification instead of the usual voter registration cards.

In hotly contested swing states such as Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Hampshire, the changes could affect the outcome. Pennsylvania’s authorities says more than 750,000 registered voters in the state – 9.2 per cent of voters – do not have the required forms of ID, such as a driving licence or other government-issued photo ID, to vote in November. President Barack Obama won the state by 600,000 votes in 2008 and polls show the vote hangs in the balance this year.

The changes in many states effectively mean legislators are trying to “cherry pick” voters, Ms Gaskins said. For example, in Tennessee, faculty members at the state university can use their college-issued ID cards to vote but students at the same university cannot.
Students in Texas would not be able to use their state university ID cards either, but the state would accept voters with permits to carry concealed weapons.

Mike Turzai, the Republican leader in Pennsylvania’s house of representatives, admitted as much recently, rattling off a list of his party’s accomplishments. “Voter ID, which is going to allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done,” he said in a speech to fellow Republicans, according to local reports.