Trans Voters Face Barriers in Voter ID Laws. Here’s What to Know

[Jessica_Rose]

Trans Voters Face Barriers in Voter ID Laws. Here's What to Know

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/trans-voters-face-barriers-in-voter-id-laws-here-s-what-to-know/ar-AA1sQsJT?ocid=windirect&cvid=42fc4d92155d4fc78485bd5daaa69e60&ei=28

Story by Tori Gantz (24 Oct 2024)

Restrictive identification requirements and voter ID laws can make it difficult for youth in the United States who identify within the Two Spirit, transgender, and gender-nonconforming (2STGNC) umbrella to cast a ballot. Ahead of the 2024 general election, a few voter ID groups are determined to ensure these young people are not disenfranchised.

While more than 825,000 trans adults in the US are eligible to vote in the 2024 elections, at least 210,000 do not have identification that accurately reflects their current name and/or gender presentation, as was cited in a September Williams Institute study. All 50 states and the District of Columbia mandate that people's voter registration match their legal name. The Advocates for Trans Equality's #VotingWhileTrans guide says that gender discrepancies on IDs should not be a valid reason to deny a regular ballot.

"Due to varying state laws, many trans people can't update their IDs to reflect their gender identity," Ash Orr, the organization's press relations manager, tells Teen Vogue via email. "Many people, especially those with low incomes, in rural regions, or limited access to resources, struggle to obtain photo IDs."