Across the United States, state legislatures are considering changes to election laws which could inhibit YOUR right to vote…especially college students!

In 32 states, members of the Republican Party are promoting laws requiring voters to produce a state-issued ID or proof of citizenship to vote.

Recently, New Hampshire House Speaker William O’Brien has received flack for his plan to limit the ability of college students to vote.

In an address to a tea party group in Rochester, O’Brien spoke about proposed updates to New Hampshire voting laws, including a bill barring election day registration and one requiring students to declare residency prior to elections if they intend on voting in their college towns.

During the same speech, which was later posted on YouTube, the Speaker referred to college students as “foolish” and criticized them for “voting with their feelings.” (You can hear for yourself at the 8:30 mark.)

The debates in New Hampshire and other states are quickly becoming an argument between voter fraud and voter disenfranchisement, but is that what it is really about?

The debate over voter fraud has become a perennial issue since the contested 2000 presidential election. While limited by federal law and court rulings, states have authority over how they run elections. Although elections officials say there are occasional cases of fraud, experts say the battle lines are drawn largely along deeply partisan – and largely theoretical – lines.

BONUS: Alexandra Petri of The Washington Post can think of at least  one other group whose voting should be limited…old people!