Over the past decade, a total of 34 states have passed voter ID laws with the same guidelines from state to state. These laws require voters to show proof of photo identification in order to vote or receive a ballot at polling places. The original purpose of voter ID laws was to prevent voter fraud. However, the laws have made voting more difficult for some Americans, such as minorities, women, students and seniors, by requiring a government-issued photo ID. Many people assume that everyone should have a government-issued photo ID or driver's license. This concept is irrational and false because there are still people in this rich country who cannot afford a good meal. According to Abranmsky (2013), "current population survey data show that 15 percent of Americans, or approximately 46.5 million people, live at or below the government-defined poverty line – which , as most who work with the hungry, the homeless, the uninsured, and the underpaid or unemployed know, is itself an inadequate measure of poverty. If a person cannot afford a meal, how can they obtain identification? This statement gives an idea of ​​the approximate number of people living below the poverty line. Those without IDs are mostly poor students, low-income minorities and the elderly. In a study titled "Citizens Without Proof: A Survey of Americans' Possession of Documentary" (2006), it was shown that 11% of eligible American voters (or more than 21 million citizens) could be disqualified from voting by due to lack of appropriate voting rights. ID photo (page 3). Even if the percentage of people living below the poverty line were greater than the number of people who could not afford an ID, their right to vote could radically change a... middle of paper.. .... uary 3). Court rejects Pennsylvania voter ID law | MSNBC. Accessed April 27, 2014, from http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/court-rejects-pennsylvania-voter-id-lawCITIZENS WITHOUT PROOF: AN INVESTIGATION OF AMERICANS’ POSSESSION OF DOCUMENTARY PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP AND PHOTO IDENTIFICATION. (2006, November). Retrieved from http://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/legacy/d/download_file_39242.pdfHarmon, K. (May 29, 2009). Can you lose your fingerprints? - American scientist. Retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lose-your-fingerprints/ KHAN, N., & CARSON, C. (August 12, 2012). Who can vote? - A National News21 Project 2012. Retrieved from http://votingrights.news21.com/article/election-fraud/VOTING RIGHTS INSTITUTE (nd). The Real Cost of Voter ID Laws | Democrats.org. Retrieved from http://www.democrats.org/the-real-cost-of-photo-id-laws