Where I live, we didn't used to have voter id laws, and it actually took longer to vote because they had to find my name on a list. One time, I even found out my name wasn't on the list at a particular place near my home because they had assigned me to another voting location(that was frustrating).
Since the the voter ID law was instituted, they simply scan my state issued ID(drivers license) and I vote. Quick and easy. I don't know whether it stops fraud(just consider all the kids buying alcohol and tobacco with fake IDs), but it sure is easier.