If Republicans are so sure they can win the vote, why do they keep passing laws making it hard for Democrats to vote? (page 15)

james_woods

OK, so I have a simple question after 8 pages of this:

Do our progressive left here on JWN oppose voter ID laws? ALL VOTER ID LAWS???

If so, how can you possibly know that voters are legitimate, qualified, and not casting multiple votes?

James, we've functioned quite a while without photo id laws. I think some type of identification is usually required. If the law is reasonable, I would not be against it. If it is without political agenda that is. Consider why they wouldn't want to accept student ID's. These kids register, name their district, get on the list, and show up with a student ID. Now, consider the gymnastics necessary to commit fraud on a level that would really impact anything. An imposter would have to register with false information gathered from the student, make an ID to look like that student, and show up at the polls. How many times woud the imposter have to do this? How many people would he have to imitate? I just can't see this scenario playing out. So why not accept student ID's? What is the argument behind it?

If I thought the real issue was voter fraud, and that the measures adopted actually prevented the fraud, of course I would support it. But it appears there is another motive. There should also be some consideration to those that providing such ID's would be extremely difficult. States need to allow sufficient time to educate citizens and enough time for them to take action. A lot of elderly voters who are no longer "linked in" will show up at the polls unprepared to be turned away by a poll worker that not only knows them personally, but has accepted their ballot for decades.

If photo ID's are going to be required to vote, then they can't charge for them. Period. It's a poll tax. Those are illegal. And they won't be able to charge for supporting documentation to get the ID, such as birth certificates (a lot of elderly people don't have them. My grandmother didn't) or social security cards. For those that can't provide supporting documentation, alternatives must be offered. So until a state is willing to issue free birth certificates, free photo ID's, and are willing to cover the cost of SS cards, I don't see how this will be anything other than a poll tax. Voting is a right. Renting movies and writing checks is not.

I am just as suseptible as anyone to partisan thinking. But I think I have looked at the many sides of this issue, and I don't think it's a good idea to just dismiss concerns as coming from a bunch of liberals that just want to commit voter fraud. The concerns are real. I also don't think the current laws really address valid fraud.

NC

bluesapphire

I answered already but I'm always ignored for some reason.

I'm all for it. Would be good to have ID's for everyone.

Make them free. Go to old people's doors and walk them through the application and take their pictures then mail them their ID's. Set up a stand at colleges so kids without transportation don't have to somehow get to a DMV.

Heck! Let's encourage these people to get to the polls by getting them all ID's!!!

Make these part of those laws. You got my vote.

james_woods

OK, so about how many people do you think are prevented from voting by ID laws?

bluesapphire

While these elderly are being visited to get them their free ID's so they could vote, take with you voter registration cards so they could fill them out while they are at it.

Have them all register as permanently vote by mail for their convenience!!!

Same with the table set up for all the students who are now getting ID's.

WOW! Look at all that Democracy! Thanks Republicans! What a grand idea!

NewChapter

OK, so about how many people do you think are prevented from voting by ID laws?

Even one is too many. I don't have the numbers yet, just anecdotal evidence.

Bluesapphire: Sorry, I wasn't ignoring your posts. Your opinions have been strongly in line with mine and I was in debate mode. LOL I agree---hand out ID's like skittles! Then the problems wouldn't exist. AND TRUE, if we go out of the way to make sure everyone has an ID, then they would be reminded and invited to vote! GO REPUBLICANS!

NC

james_woods

Even one is too many. I don't have the numbers yet, just anecdotal evidence.

And this is exactly the way I feel about fraudulent votes and fraudulent voter registrations.

NewChapter

But I'm not willing to punish citizens for a lawless few. I won't support instituting poll taxes and disenfranchising the weaker among us.

NC

botchtowersociety

Cool. I am not in favor of a poll tax either. Fortunately, photo ID is not a poll tax, as has been upheld by SCOTUS. It is a reasonable requirement to ensure the integrity of elections. Remember every fraudulent vote negates a legal one. It disenfranchises those that participate honestly in our democractic process. They are the victims of a crime.

NewChapter

It's been supported by SCOTUS because it wasn't deemed an unnecessary hardship. States are reaching beyond what has already been allowed. They are pushing the ruling. Don't assume that because it was upheld in one state that it will be upheld in another. Every law has it's own components. The original law in Ohio had wording to require full ss#'s. That won't pass muster. I believe Indiana's has been upheld because it imposed no financial burden. Other states are not being so careful.

NC

If Republicans are so sure they can win the vote, why do they keep passing laws making it hard for Democrats to vote?

Share this