No Wonder Libs Don’t Want Voter ID Programs

[erfalf]

You do realize that PA requires a PHOTO ID...right?  Most birth certificates don't have those...

But to get an ID he would need proof of citizenship, then he gets the photo id. That was the point Cramer was making.

[nathanm]

It's not just proof of ID/citizenship that is required. You also must have proof of your address.

[Hoss]

But to get an ID he would need proof of citizenship, then he gets the photo id. That was the point Cramer was making.

If I read correctly he also said his father didn't have a DL.  Once again, these things cost money to obtain (state issued ID/DL).  In essence, it can be considered (loosely) as a poll tax.  Why is it so hard for people to understand what the Republicans are trying to do?  They've even admitted as much.

House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) suggested that the House's end game in passing the Voter ID law was to benefit the GOP politically.
"We are focused on making sure that we meet our obligations that we've talked about for years," said Turzai in a speech to [Republican State Committee] members Saturday. He mentioned the law among a laundry list of accomplishments made by the GOP-run legislature.

"Pro-Second Amendment? The Castle Doctrine, it's done. First pro-life legislation – abortion facility regulations – in 22 years, done. Voter ID, which is gonna allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done."

[swake]

But to get an ID he would need proof of citizenship, then he gets the photo id. That was the point Cramer was making.

It is often difficult for the elderly to travel if they are home bound and a wait at a DMV or tag agency is out of the question. It was for my mother the last few years she was alive.

[erfalf]

It is often difficult for the elderly to travel if they are home bound and a wait at a DMV or tag agency is out of the question. It was for my mother the last few years she was alive.

Generally speaking though, there are ways to write these laws that would achieve the same ends without effecting the elderly. I know in Georgia or Indiana (can't remember, they were one of the first to have this type of law) you can still vote absentee without an ID. A guy works in my office (WW II POW, one of the most amazing people I have ever met) that can barely get around without a walker, and I know without a doubt that it would take significantly more than any of this gobbly goo to keep him from voting. I understand some have more issues than him, but still, effort has to be made regardless of your situation. People just can't vote for other people (well they probably do sometimes but...  )

I even saw in the paper yesterday (Wall Street Journal) a graph that showed the percentage of early votes cast, and I was blown away. I had no idea the proportion was so high. Nearly 80% of Colorado's votes were early in 2008. That's crazy.

Let's just remember, voting is not required by law, so therefore it is always an inconvenience in that it requires action if you want to do it. There is no penalty for not voting. I understand that we want as many people to vote as possible, but I also don't think that the idea of id is a terrible one (although some are admittedly devised poorly).

[Townsend]

I even saw in the paper yesterday (Wall Street Journal) a graph that showed the percentage of early votes cast, and I was blown away. I had no idea the proportion was so high. Nearly 80% of Colorado's votes were early in 2008. That's crazy.

I'll ignore the other things wrong with your statement.  I'll just ask, Why?  Why is that crazy?

[Conan71]

I'll ignore the other things wrong with your statement.  I'll just ask, Why?  Why is that crazy?

It's a disturbing trend if the "early" votes are also absentee.  Without enough safeguards, it can lead to ballot box stuffing.

[erfalf]

I'll ignore the other things wrong with your statement.  I'll just ask, Why?  Why is that crazy?

I always assumed the vast majority of votes were cast in person on election day. Nothing political, just changed my assumptions.

[Townsend]

It's a disturbing trend if the "early" votes are also absentee.  Without enough safeguards, it can lead to ballot box stuffing.

Where's all the worry when it comes to issues at the polling stations?  Hell, just locally we've had two recent stories where ballots have disappeared only to show back up when it's questioned.  "Oh, here they are.  Fell under this polling machine."

"without enough safeguards"...What safeguards are there now?  I mark a paper with my vote, I place it in a machine.  Someone empties the machine and can "oops, I lost some" at any time.

[nathanm]

It's a disturbing trend if the "early" votes are also absentee.  Without enough safeguards, it can lead to ballot box stuffing.

Absentee or "absentee?" (Early voting in Oklahoma is considered absentee voting)

The stats I've seen for other states break down absentee and in person early voting. Absentee is about where it's always been, but early voting is up dramatically in the states that have the most early voting hours. Makes sense, since even here in Oklahoma there are as many early voting hours as there are regular voting hours.

[RecycleMichael]

I love voting early. It allows me to completely ignore the last days of ads.

I am opposed to ID laws, but personally don't mind showing my driver's license. It is a good picture.

[RecycleMichael]

This is a 3 minute video that a friend of mine helped produce for a voter ID law in Minnesota.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOGjZoI55UE&feature=youtu.be