To the Editor:

The amendment on the ballot reads “Constitutional amendment to require voters to provide photo identification before voting in person.” 

This is a solution in search of a problem. Voter fraud is a ruse that demagogues and self-described nationalists use to fire up their base. It is in fact practically non-existent. 

Significant numbers of citizens lack photo ID. If it was easy to obtain such, or if they had any need for such, they certainly would have gotten such. Their rights shouldn't be limited by the majority, who have such. 

The problem that remains unaddressed is the much more damaging attack against our vote and our democracy by foreign entities and radical right-wing extremists. Attempted manipulation in the form of specious imputations, out of thin air, is a specialty of those who feel that their place and power are somehow diminished by other people exercising their rights. If you think America can't be manipulated thusly, I offer practically any video of our current president, whose "truthful hyperbole" is in fact lie after lie after lie. And the crowd laughs and cheers (at his mocking of Dr. Ford, for example).

 Educate yourself, who would have thought we could be fooled so badly?

Bil Aylor

Bryson City