Voter ID cards
I think photo IDs are interesting, in that they themselves aren't a complete verification of someone's identity, much like a copy of a birth certificate likewise is a guarantee that someone was born in the country. It is a document that indicates a government organization has processed your application for a photo ID and was sufficiently convinced
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I was an election judge a couple of times, both to do my civic duty, but also to see how the system worked.
Individual voter fraud is easily detected. I come in and select my precinct. I sign the voters registration list and take a ballot. Let's say I'm intent on committing voter fraud. First, I have to know the names of someone in the precinct** - yes, doable, but try it sometime. Even with google, it takes a little work. Next, I need to arrive early before that person is likely to vote. Sure, so between 50% and 75% of people never vote, so luck is on my side.
Congratulations. I've stolen one vote. But try that again. Can't do it here - most likely one of the 4+ judges will remember me (trust me, they're pretty bored, and also know most of the usual voters by sight). So, I need to find another precinct.
Wait, not so fast. Often, multiple precincts will vote at a given location. So, I'll need to get to a new site. And I'll have to have done my homework just as before.
End result, lots of work to steal one vote. Even more to steal two.
Ah, but what about detection? Joanne Q Public comes to vote. But someone has already voted in her place. Most unusual and irregular. The head election judge is notified and if it isn't an honest mistake, a report will certainly be made to the County Clerk.
Note, too, there may be observers present, who will also report to whomever (party heads, newspapers, etc).
End result, easy detection of fraud.
Does this happen? I'm sure it does, but it's likely to be an honest mistake, or an isolated nut job. I've never seen it happen, nor did any of the long-serving judges I asked.
End result, individual vote fraud is incredibly rare and is a problem that any "fix" will place burdens on both the voters and the election judges. Oh, and won't actually fix the problem.
** Yes, I could do a provisional ballot, but that *is* subject to verification.
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