Regarding the letter “Why is ID not required to vote?” (Nov. 15, TribLive): I am not an attorney, but here’s what I believe it takes for you to vote.

The U.S. Constitution guarantees your right to vote as long as you are a citizen. When you first registered to vote, you had to prove you were a U.S. citizen (and a citizen of Westmoreland County, if that is where you live). To have done this you presented to the Board of Elections your birth certificate or driver’s license or valid passport plus proof of residence. Why a driver’s license or passport? Because to get a driver’s license or passport, you had to initially present your birth certificate.

Once registered, your name, address, etc. is on file at the Board of Elections and at your polling place so they can authorize you to vote. The board even sends you a voter ID card. If you aren’t registered with the Board of Elections and aren’t on the roll at the polling place, you can’t vote. If someone tries to vote using your name, he or she will be charged with voter fraud, prosecuted and, when found guilty, sent to jail and fined.

Regarding the $6 can of paint: The Constitution gives you no right to buy a $6 can of paint. The store selling the paint can demand you do whatever they want you to do that is lawful to buy the paint.

I sincerely hope this answers your question. Should it not, I suggest you contact an attorney specializing in voting rights.

Kenneth Powell

New Kensington

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