August 21 at 5:20 PM
E.J. Dionne Jr.’s Aug. 20 op-ed column, “No retreat on voting rights,” could not be more applicable than in Virginia. The 1902 Constitution of Virginia instituted a poll tax and literacy tests to limit voting by African Americans. The new poll tax in Virginia is photo identification, restricted to certain types of photo IDs. The delegates championing this requirement argue that it will prevent fraud, but numerous studies have shown there is virtually no voter fraud in the commonwealth. Empirical studies show that minorities are less likely than their white counterparts to have the acceptable photo IDs required in Virginia.

The 1902 state constitution was crafted by white supremacists, perhaps no different from the delegates who crafted the new “poll tax.”

Harry W. Wiggins, Lake Ridge

The writer is chair of the Prince William County Democratic Committee.