Report: Strict voter ID laws may disenfranchise many transgender citizens

The Williams Institute for the study of sexual orientation and gender identity law and policy at the UCLA School of Law issued this report finding that strict photo ID laws could greatly affect the ability of transgender citizens to cast ballots in upcoming elections. It concludes:

Voter ID laws create a unique barrier for transgender people who would otherwise be eligible to vote. Many transgender people who have transitioned do not have identification that accurately reflects their correct gender. In the November 2014 election, strict photo ID laws may create substantial barriers to voting and possible disenfranchisement for over 24,000 transgender people in nine states. Transgender people of color, youth, students, people with low incomes, and people with disabilities are likely overrepresented in that group. In order for these 24,000 voting-eligible transgender people to obtain the updated IDs required to vote in the November 2014 general election, they must comply with the requirements for updating their state-issued or federally-issued IDs. These requirements vary widely by state or federal agency and can be difficult and costly to meet. Voter ID laws, therefore, will create a unique barrier to voting in the November 2014 general election for a substantial number of transgender citizens.