So for one thing, which doesn't directly address the question, voter ID laws are being pushed for the most part from one side of the political spectrum, and som

So for one thing, which doesn't directly address the question, voter ID laws are being pushed for the most part from one side of the political spectrum, and some of those have acknowledged that they are doing it with a partisan goal [1]. So given that it's pushed by only one side, with no clear evidence that it's trying to solve a widespread problem, it smells to those on the other side that they are trying to win elections not by advancing the better argument, but by keeping their opponents away from the polls. As to why it's seen as disenfranchising, there are no general requirements in the United States to have a form of ID to exist in daily life. Poorer people who live in cities are less likely to have the resources or need to own a car, and if you don't own a car, why would you have a driver's license, which requires spending potentially hours at the local motor vehicle department, getting access to documents like birth certificates (which may well be in another state), and paying a fee [2]. Some states have free state photo IDs, but many do not, and even those IDs take some time and effort to get. Estimates of how many people are deterred from the polls because of lack of ID are tricky, and while the numbers are fairly low, America was founded on the idea of liberty and justice for all. [1] https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/17/us/some-republicans-acknowledge-leveraging-voter-id-laws-for-political-gain.html https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/17/us/some-republicans-ackno... [2] http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2012/08/voter_id_laws_why_do_minorities_lack_id_to_show_at_the_polls_.html http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/20...