Voter ID laws are defended as preventing fraud and attacked as suppressing legitimate votes. Empirical research on fraud shows it is extremely rare—far rarer than voters blocked by ID requirements. Supporters argue even rare fraud matters, and ID requirements are minimal burdens. Opponents point out that obtaining ID can require resources (time, documents, fees) unequally distributed across populations, making the burden appear minimal only to those unaffected.
The passage suggests that
what seems like a 'minimal' requirement may affect different groups unequally
voter fraud is more common than voters blocked by ID laws
all citizens have identical access to identification documents
there is no empirical research on voter fraud
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the best answer. The 'minimal burden' varies by who bears it.
- Context clues: Resources needed are "unequally distributed"; burden "appears minimal only to those unaffected."
- Meaning: The same requirement is trivial for some and significant for others.
- Verify: The contrast between how supporters and opponents perceive the burden shows unequal impact.
💡 Strategy: When a requirement's burden varies across groups, infer unequal effects.
Choice B is incorrect because fraud is "far rarer than voters blocked by ID requirements." Choice C is incorrect because obtaining ID requires "resources...unequally distributed." Choice D is incorrect because "empirical research on fraud" is cited.