As the 2012 presidential election looms closer on the horizon, a debate over possible voting rights and voter fraud is heating up. Fifteen Democratic Senators, lead by Colorado Senator Michael Bennet, issued a joint statement to Attorney General Eric Holder questioning the legality of the voting identification laws in place in 29 states. The senators argue that these laws — which require voters to present photo identification when they head to the poll — unfairly disenfranchise African-American, Latino and poor voters. But is that really the case?

For a hard look at voter data we speak with Dr. Robert Pastor, professor of international relations at American University and director of the Center for Democracy and Election Management.