The objection of Senator Obenshain to the Board of Elections' proposed rule, to allow an expired, government-issued ID to establish identity for voting, is an insult to the people of Virginia, an assault on the constitutional right to vote, and an attack on sacred and innate rights held by all Virginians, not only held by those of rank and privilege.

The Obenshain objection strongly suggests that his interest is not in voter identity but voter suppression. It is well documented that among the thousands of Virginians who do not have valid photo ID, the majority are young voters, senior citizens and minorities. These groups of citizens have as much right to vote as the Senator. However, under his unnecessary, restrictive interpretation of which government-issued photo ID's are "valid," many more younger, minority and senior voters would be denied their right to vote because of the new photo ID requirement.

Our society suffers when participation in voting is denied to so many for such trivial reasons as invalid photo ID. As a society we need to make voting more available to our citizens, not less available.

Those arguing for more restrictive rules on the right to vote have presented no evidence of voter fraud or any other justification for restricting who can vote to those who drive motor vehicles or vacation in foreign countries.

Reject the Senator's request to restrict photo ID even further than what is necessary for a fairly administered election.