Indiana's legal victory requiring voters to show a picture ID before being allowed to vote is a major victory for America and its citizens.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Indiana's law in a 6-3 ruling.

Indiana's Republican-controlled Legislature originally pushed for the picture ID law to cut down on voter fraud. What could be simpler to protect the integrity of the voting process than a photograph?

But not one Democrat voted to support the law. Instead, Democrats appealed it all the way to the Supreme Court, basically saying the law imposes a serious burden on voters because it forces them to prove their identity.

Say that again?

The high court got it right, though. The law is not about getting more people -- especially noncitizens -- to vote, but about protecting a basic American privilege and the sanctity of the ballot box.

Only American citizens can vote in government elections, and that's the way it should be. And poll officials should have the tools to ensure that each person who

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votes is the same person who registered to vote.

Indiana law requires voters to present a current driver's license, passport or other photo ID issued by either the state or the federal government before voting.

Left-wing liberals say the law places a disproportionate burden on the poor and minorities without the slightest justification.

They must mean that it's burdensome to obtain a photo ID; we find the argument absurd. In Indiana's case, the Registry of Motor Vehicles provides free picture IDs to drivers and nondrivers alike.

Massachusetts can learn from Indiana's model and profit it from it.