Post Reports Could new laws make voting harder for married women?
May 27, 2025
Patrick Marley and Yvonne Wingett-Sanchez, both democracy reporters from The Washington Post, dive into new voter ID laws and their implications for voting rights. They discuss how requirements to prove citizenship disproportionately affect women who change their names after marriage or divorce. The conversation highlights personal stories and broader political motivations behind these laws, raising concerns about voter disenfranchisement. They explore how these changes potentially suppress voter participation among eligible citizens, particularly in states like Arizona and Texas.
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Origins of Proof-of-Citizenship Laws
- The push for proof-of-citizenship voting laws largely stems from false claims about undocumented migrants voting, popularized by Donald Trump.
- These laws aim to prevent voter fraud that has not been proven to occur on a meaningful scale.
Texas Law's Large-Scale Impact
- Texas considering proof-of-citizenship law is significant due to its large voter population and applying to both new and existing voters.
- The law would require officials to verify citizenship for about half a million existing voters in Texas.
Name Changes Hinder Women's Voting
- Women who change their names due to marriage, divorce, or other reasons may struggle to prove citizenship under new laws.
- One woman was denied expedited airport security clearance because her documents had different names, illustrating challenges faced by voters.