Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer took aim at New York for its policy of requiring a valid ID to receive the coronavirus vaccine but not for voting.
“Look at that. NY requires ID for COVID vaccinations — a driver’s license, passport or other proof of residency,” Fleischer said on Twitter. “Why is it ok to require ID to save someone’s life, but not ok for voting? Asking for IDs is sensible, here and for voting.”
Look at that. NY requires ID for COVID vaccinations – a driver’s license, passport or other proof of residency. Why is it ok to require ID to save someone’s life, but not ok for voting? Asking for IDs is sensible, here and for voting. pic.twitter.com/5eem1fs8IA
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) March 11, 2021
Fleischer included a screenshot from the New York Department of Health’s website detailing what residents need to bring in order to receive the vaccine.
“Sufficient identification includes a driver’s license, passport, or any legal proof of your date of birth and residency,” the website reads. “Note that non-NYS residents may be vaccinated if they work in NYS in an eligible occupation.”
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In a subsequent tweet, Fleischer criticized what he saw as a double standard in the state’s identification logic.
“Using the same logic critics of voter ID use, what NY is doing is tantamount to vaccination suppression,” Fleischer said.
Using the same logic critics of voter ID use, what NY is doing is tantamount to vaccination suppression.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) March 11, 2021
New York is 1 of 15 states that does not require any form of ID to vote, though voters who have not provided an ID by Election Day are only allowed to vote by a sworn-affidavit ballot and not on a typical poll site scanner.
Following concerns of election integrity during the 2020 election, Republicans have made a push in many battleground states to implement stricter voter security measures, including mandating identification.
Many critics have balked at the efforts, saying the GOP-led push is akin to “voter suppression.” Instead, House Democrats in Washington passed a massive overhaul of the nation’s voting system that would make the entire country more like New York, allowing people to vote with a sworn affidavit if they do not provide identification.
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The bill faces an unfriendly climb in the Senate, where near-universal GOP opposition in a split chamber is almost certain to sink the legislation.
