A system that demands photo ID to purchase cold medicine, buy a firearm, or board a plane—but not to vote—has abandoned logic in favor of loopholes. Consistency is not a luxury in democracy. It is the bedrock of public trust.
This week, the contrast sharpened. As legislators double down on ID mandates for commerce and security, they continue to oppose ID requirements at the ballot box. These aren’t minor inconsistencies. They’re fractures in the foundation of civic legitimacy. The same government that verifies your identity for a fishing license says it’s an infringement to confirm it at the polls.
No society can sustain faith in outcomes governed by double standards. The integrity of the vote must match the scrutiny applied elsewhere. This isn’t about restricting access—it’s about equalizing expectations. If fairness matters, then fairness must be enforced everywhere.