Knowledge Bank

In this thesis, I examine the effects of voter ID [VID] laws on public confidence in elections. The Supreme Court identified this as a valid state interest justifying the burdens imposed by these laws, but at the time of the Crawford decision, they had no way to examine the truthfulness of that claim. I examine this possible relationship using data from Pew Research Center surveys ranging from 2004--2016. I conduct an event study analysis to demonstrate that various types of VID laws have significant attitudinal consequences. I further present evidence that these effects are strongest among Democrats and non-whites, and that failed VID proposals have a uniquely polarizing effect on public opinion. These findings strongly imply that further discussion and research is needed when considering the true constitutionality of these laws.