A new Texas law requiring voters to present a photo ID along with a voter’s registration card has been criticized by some Texas lawmakers, but the simple act of bringing an ID will ultimately keep election results honest.

The previous law required voters to present their registration card and another form of ID or to sign an affidavit at the polling place. Now, the additional form of identification is limited to a passport, concealed handgun license, military ID or other state-issued photo identification cards.

This new law was met with undeserved criticism from citizens and lawmakers. Some accuse the Republicans of proposing the bill to cut into the minority-voting base that the Democrats have tapped into, assuming that minorities are less likely to have a photo ID.

However, photo IDs aren’t difficult to get. Those who don’t have a driver’s license or other form of acceptable photo ID can get a state-issued identification card at the Department of Transportation. According to the law, anyone who cannot afford the ID will receive one for free.

Whether the intentions behind the new law were pure, voter fraud is still a legitimate concern for the state. Seven states have adopted similar laws that require residents to present a photo ID along with their voter registration card when they vote.

In fact, the Texas law was modeled after Indiana’s voting laws, which took effect in 2007 and are the most stringent of the seven states.

Although the new law may seem like an inconvenience to voters or a way to steal away another party’s votes, it actually serves to protect the integrity of the voting system.

This law will keep the system fair, allowing  representatives to hear their constituents’ voices accurately. This legislation shows citizens that the government takes the right to vote seriously by making it harder to commit voter fraud and increasing consequences for voting illegally – carrying a sentence of mandatory jail time.

The hassle of getting an acceptable ID is worth it when it comes to protecting the integrity of our right to vote, because the right to vote is worthless if unlawful voting compromises the election.