Of course you should have to produce an ID when you vote. The cost of having an ID? Who are they catering to with that?

I think using an idea is not a bad idea..."the cost of prcuring a legal photo identification disenfranchises many voters".? that is crazy. You should have an ID!

You need an ID for just about everything, how many people do you know that do not have a photo ID. This is a small price to pay to ensure that only eligble voters participate in our elections.

Great minds think alike.

Of course, unless you wish to encourage unauthorized votes by non-citizens.

Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III

I think it's a waste of government resources. Voter fraud is an overplayed issue and this is just another time wasting government bureaucracy. Whoever gets the contract to produce extra IDs will be happy, I'm sure. There has, afaik, never been a known case of voter fraud that having an ID could prevent.

I'm far more worried about the electronic voting machines, especially knowing how easily they can be manipulated. Voter ID won't prevent a motivated group from committing fraud that way. Seems like this is a distraction from that issue.

there should be some kind of proof ID wise, but not necessarily a "government issued" ID as that just seems to be another way to make us get an ID even if we don't want one and pay the $$ for it.I know the majority of the voting population have drivers licences or passports, but what about those that choose not to travel or dirve? Voting is a right that we shouldn't have to pay for. I have heard the arguments, we need an ID to buy alcohol etc. but those are priviledges, not rights. Find a way to verify residency without us paying more $$ and I am all for it.

An ID should be an absolute must. It would ensure a fair and just vote and election. The fact of "poor" people and others being disenfranchised is a crock. The state laws mandate a fair and valid election process. By not verifying peoples ID we as legal citizens and taxpayers are being subjected to voter fraud by illegal aliens and others who have no business voting. This to me is Disenfranchising the honest people.

This ought to be a no-brainer. Unfortunately, Mass politicians, especially our esteemed Attorney General (think Fells Acres), don't seem to be in possession of a brain between them. You know, I used to be a registered Democrat, but clearly this is simply a ploy to keep a large portion of their "demographic" voting. In case you missed it, Massachusetts has turned into a welfare state.

The only way to eliminate cost as a factor in disenfranchisement is to ensure there is NO cost: (a) no cost to apply in Massachusetts (b) no cost to apply for any required back up material, such as a certified w/seal birth certificate from Massachusetts (c) the Commonwealth of Massachusetts reimburses for the fee that other states required in order to obtain a birth certificate and finally, (d) methods are put into place to support alternative methods for those individuals who do not qualify for the release of a birth certificate from other states, such as the state of New York, which requires either photo identification (ironic) or 2 items of the following: utility bills in your name for your residence or a government agency issued letter dated within 6 months of application. (Think about people who are married, and the utilities are in the spouse's name... no proof available to even APPLY for a birth certificate).

So, all in all, because the ability to vote is a right, a right which must not require purchase or poll tax, if we can determine that there is a way to make it all entirely without cost to the voter, then cost would not be the driver in disenfranchisement.

Then we can deal with the other factors, such as dealing with what happens if birth records weren't kept or don't meet the state's requirement, and that the name isn't something like "Baby Boy Johnson", as has certainly been done for birth certificates in the south, in the past, etc.

I would need more information:
- How much would it cost to enforce such a law? (i.e. What is the additional cost to train election officials and to audit that they are really checking voter IDs?)
- Is there any evidence of voter fraud? (i.e. How big is the problem that this would solve?)
- How many people would be unable to vote because of this requirement? (i.e. How many citizens would be unable to afford a government issued ID?)
- Do the costs and potential downsides outweigh the benefits?

Without that information, I'd lean towards being conservative and leaving the system unchanged (and not spending more money!)

I really like the sweet old people who volunteer to check in voters and I appreciate their time in the election process. However, I doubt that I would have any trouble getting past them with a fake ID. Requirements for voting are silly and would not prevent any type of voter fraud, they would only slow down the process and keep a few registered voters from participating because they are dumb enough to forget their ID at home.

Thanks for the good discussion so far, everyone. Some articles on this subject from around the nation if you're interested:

Federal court strikes down Texas voter ID law: http://seattletimes.com/html/politics/2019027211_apustexasvoterid.html

National Study: Voter impersonation a rarity at polls: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/us/voter-impersonation-a-rarity-at-polls-national-study-finds-648821/

This one is an opinion piece by conservative author Reihan Salam, but he provides a fairly even-keeled argument: http://www.nationalreview.com/agenda/312318/voter-id-conversation-reihan-salam

Yes, I believe that ID's should be shown when voting. It wouldn't even be a minor inconvenience.

I think we should ask Kevin McDonald to put something together and present it at his next meeting with the town. He knows what is best for everyone.

Should it be done? Probably. There has to be a way to make sure that the vote is valid. There just have to be certain safeguards to make sure the process is efficient and covers all citizens.

Should it be done now? Absolutely not. The notion of passing ID laws this late into the election year is clearly an attempt to help a certain party, regardless of the law's validity. If it was to be done, it should have been done months (possibly even years) ago to make sure everyone was aware of and had time to respond to the laws.

How is this even up for discussion. Anyone who is against ensuring that only eligible voters vote obviously has alterior motives. The cost of a state ID is only $25.

Supposed voter fraud is today's version of "the sky is falling, the sky is falling." There has been one instance of voter fraud in this state since 2000. The national numbers aren't much higher. See http://votingrights.news21.com/interactive/election-fraud-database/
M.Edwards

I find it amusing that we waste time and resources over something like this (how many instances of voter fraud has there been?) yet we still have dodgy ballot boxes (yup hanging chads are still a possibility). Put the government's election budget money to good use and spend it on something that makes a real impact on voting.

There's no need for it.

No, you should not have to pay to vote. If you do any sort of research, the amount of illegitimate voters is sooooooooooo tiny that it's a ridiculous argument!!
Also- I've been dirt dirt dirt poor and barely scraping by and that $25 that everyone seems to think is such a small fee, when you are fighting to scrape together bus fare etc, $25 can go a long way. It can be used to purchase something else besides the privilege of voting. Because that's what it will become, a privilege to those that can afford to pay vs the RIGHT that it currently is.
If your argument is going to be 'well then let's just have free voter ID' that will single out a lot of people from voting. Those that may have a questionable past that are afraid getting an ID card will flag them in the system and cause them to be easily tracked down. Yes, if you did a crime you should do the time HOWEVER statistically speaking, such a thing would alienate a large voter population and that's not right.

And I'm not just talking about armed robbery or something like that but child support issues and so many other things that people don't seem to be stopping to think about how there would be consequences and ramifications for such a law.
Not everyone has photo ID (MA state license etc) and those that don't have ID aren't always shady. I lived in Boston for 5 years before I got my ID (once I moved to Melrose and needed a car) before that, I never found the need for one. I don't write checks, not all landlords require license for renting, etc.
It seems people take their own lives and experiences into consideration when they jump to say 'well but it's THIS EASY to do it, anything else is an excuse!'. Stop and think first because people go through a lot of things that you may not ever consider because it just hasn't happened to YOU.

Jamie, I bet you don't think anyone's abusing welfare either.

MA Taxpayers gave $93M to Illegal Immigrants for ER Care in 2011. They gave another $68M to the Kennedy Family (as if they can't afford it) for a Museum for Ted. Anyone telling you we can't afford voter ID's is someone who is for voter fraud!

there is nothing preventing any person, organization, party, etc. from obtaining a registered voting list from any town and seeing who has not been voting in the last several elections, and then having people go in claiming to be Bill Smith at 123 My Street. That is a valid concern. You can say it DOESN'T happen, but you have no way of knowing if it does. The possibility is there, and the opportunity is real. We need to safeguard against it. The majority of people in the world don't rob banks, but we still have security systems in place to help prevent it.

I would be surprised if a single A Republican voted against voter ID

I don't see any issue with someone needing some sort of identification. You could bring a license, passport, birth certificate, ss card, etc. If you're eligible to vote you'd have at least one of these anyway.

I don't think anyone has mentioned this above, but studies show that 25% of African Americans in the US do not have a valid photo ID, and many elderly, poor, and students do not have ID either. In Pennsylvania alone, the voter ID law would affect approximately 700,000 people, all to "fix" a problem that isn't happening. Even in court, the people trying to pass this law in Pennsylvania admitted that there were no cases of voter fraud in the state on record.

I agree with the people above who say it shouldn't cost to vote. I had to get a birth certificate for my son recently and it was $50 to get a copy from the state. Then there's the cost of the ID itself. You may not think it's a big deal, but for some, it is.

Everyone should have to show an ID to vote. If it is a case where the elderly can not afford $25 to buy one, They should get one for free. it could be good for 5 years just like your drivers license. That amounts to $5 a year.

Watch how easily dead people can vote in NH.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taO8MPP94HU

After this video was released, NH passed a new Voter ID law requiring voters to have photo id’s before voting. This law goes into effect on 11/1/12. Voters who don’t have a photo ID can get one free by presenting a voucher from their town/city clerk or the Secretary of State to any NH DMV office that issues identification.

This is such a solution looking for a problem. My entire adult life I've heard the plea for more people to vote so, if anything, the problem is voter apathy not voter fraud. By the way, the courts in Ohio just turned back the law blocking early voting. Even in Texas the court overturned the voter id law because of the effect on the disadvantaged. If you are too poor to have a car and don't drive you don't have a license. My son will be starting driver's ed soon and it will cost over $750. I understand you can get a state-issued id but again, if you don't drive how do you get to the registry without incurring even more costs?

I just love it! The data compiled over many years by both Government and private agencies involved with civil rights show that voter misrepresentation at the polls is practically non-existent, yet some people on this string STILL want to require IDs to be able to vote. These people should go out more often on Sundays, because they are totally oblivious to the social and financial realities of this country.

The real reason for this is that Government-issued photo identification requirements have a disproportionate impact on minority voters, but that’s OK with the Republicans, since their constituency is with the 1% and certainly not with the minorities.

Here are some facts:.
- In the United States, 25% of African-Americans do not own a photo ID.

- In Missouri, the Secretary of State identified nearly 240,000 registered voters who are mostly elderly, disabled, poor, and minorities, who also lack a government issued photo ID.

- In Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee did a study of voting-age citizens in 2005 and found that 55% of African-American males and 46% of Hispanic males lack a driver’s license (for females, 49% and 59%, respectively)

Etc, etc…

But I guess that for the people who still insist that a photo ID is the prerequisite to exercise one’s basic democratic right facts do not matter. Only their prejudices and political views are important, even though they violate the democratic ideology they pretend to embrace.

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Y E S

Local post offices could process Voter ID’s.They take passport photos and process passport applications already.

It is so easy to get a phony license, so it would be also easy to get a phony ID. Pay the price you can get anything on the black market.

Voter fraud is virtualiy non-existent in the United States. The claims that a voter ID law is necessary to prevent fraud is an alarmist scare tactic, a distraction from the real problems we are facing as a country. At the same time, there are many people who live their lives without a government-issued ID. Most of these people are poor. Some of them are just young. I personally didn't have an ID until my early 20's. I didn't get my driver's license as a teenager, I had my childhood bank account for years, and I wasn't a drinker.

This is another irrelevant wedge issue to help people choose Democrat or Republican without looking at the fact that neither party represents any large number of Americans. Special interest and the super rich control the two parties that stick together to destroy any additional competition to keep this a two horse race.
How many people could show up and pretend to be a registered voter that they know won't vote? Enough to impact a national election? Not a chance.

raymay, that happened to me too losing my license when I was younger. I had to bring in my birth certificate and a picture ID. since my picture ID was misplaced I was able to use my yearbook bc the timeframe was acceptable. So the DMV is not wrong, you show birth certificate and a picture ID (yearbook picture) we should of had a passsport to avoid all this.

In June, Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Mike Turzai listed off a number of legislative accomplishments. "Voter ID, which is going to allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania: Done." Nuff said...

The amount of of voter fraud in this country is negligible, this is just designed as an extra hurdle before the voting booth. I'm more concerned with what happens after I cast my vote, with the electronic voting machines and all. . .

The US Constitution clearly states;
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax."

By requiring an ID that has a cost is a form of tax, even if for political purposes it is called a "fee".

The objective of these laws is to ensure that fewer people vote. Over the centuries we have seen various tools to limit who can vote. These range from literacy tests, poll taxes, certification of residency, and property ownership.

How hypocritical for many implementing these laws to claim the mantle of being people who purport to be constitutionalists.

This is a great topic, Dann. Without completely weighing in on whether we SHOULD require ID, i.e. whether the required cost of a Constitutionally guaranteed right is worth the integrity of the voting system, let me say this regarding the evidence of fraud, nationally: The article which you posted earlier by Mr. Salam, which I would advise everyone who weighs in on the issue to read, explains exactly why no reliable study has ever been made on the percentage of likely fraudulent voters. Simply put, you cannot make an accurate study, or even a good estimate, without running a controlled experiment - i.e., one where undercover fake voters present themselves to vote, and then the experimenter counts how many of them get caught versus how many get away with it. Even then, the study is not very accurate, for other reasons. In each national study so far, the voters who were examined are only those voters who have been complained about as being fraudulent. In other words, if you get away with fraudulently voting and no one complains, then you're not counted as a fraudulent vote! And complaints about fraudulent voting are ALWAYS politically-based, by both parties.
One last piece of food for thought: Most cities and towns require a minimum license fee of $100 for a firearms identification card and/or license to carry. Isn't that a Constitutional right?

The argument that voter fraud is not too bad or is negligible is ludicrous. One fraudulent vote disenfranchises ALL voters. Currently its only Democrats that have been caught registering dead people via ACORN or stuffing the ballot box's in Chicago. Or intimidating voters in Philadelphia.
Democrats professing we don't need an ID better hope to God some opposing party doesn't start their own ballot box scam.

Democrats have no problem with voter fraud but are bending over backwards to prevent our sons and daughters who are in harms way from voting. Shows where their minds are at.

US citizens have the rights, also the duty...Laws and fees go along with being a US citizen. You want to enjoy these rights, participate in all process, then raise your hand. Get your papers and all are welcome. The melting pot bubbles for all. If you have a green card your almost there. If you have nothing, 0 rights to participate...And why should you. I can't vote in Canada for example. I'm not Canadian. Show your license what's simpler than that. The reason less than 40% of US voters don't vote is there to lazy. Most illegals want nothing to do with voting anyway. Oddly some would have them to vote twice, dead or alive. What's up with that.

You need an ID to use your credit card at the local mall, to cash a check, to buy beer. And someone thinks it's in-American to require one to vote for our elected officials? It's too easy to steal a person's identity - esp at the polling place. The books are wide open!
It should be a requirement!

I absolutely agree that you should have to show an ID in order to vote. My daughter is registered in Tewksbury for years now and has never voted. Whose to say that someone comes up to the desk, gives her name and address, and votes for her.

It's all very well for us in our affluent suburbs to speak of getting an ID with such ease.. However, there are people who do not live near a registry, do not have cars and work hand to mouth in other parts of the state and country, so if we are to require an ID, we need to provide a way for people to get them without it costing a day's pay and transportation costs to get to the place of registration.

hi

I cannot remember the last time I used an id to use a credit card. You don't even have to sign if you spend less than $25 but that is beside the point. Poor people don't have credit cards or checking accounts. That is why check cashing companies are all over poor neighborhoods!

so, here is a good senario.
i go and vote, my neighbor who works here, goes thru the motions of street, name, first name, and crosses me off..
i go back an hour later, with same neighbor working there, and i use my other neighbors name and address, who is registered and does not vote, address and name, and the voter person working there who knows me, can't challenge me? would that be correct?
saul
jason st

They should also require an ID to buy alcohol and tobacco and then no one would be able to get those products until they reach a certain age.

thanks meggle...so i understand that the people crossing off names, are not to challenge anyone that they know, who vote more than once....nor is anyone at the polls to challenge anyone they know who voted twice.
well, this seems to be an unfair way to vote to me, when a person can vote more than once at the polls. i am in favor of voter identification.
why would a particular party object to that?

What's with all the hatin'? Can't we all just get along?

I am adamantly opposed to voting ID card. As it is now, only about 40% of the American electorate bother to vote in a presidential election (it's even worse for senatorial and local elections). Most of the people who bother to vote, according to some on this string, must be voting twice or more, and that should be their right for taking their precious time to go to the polls. Furthermore, if IDs are required, it would show the true number of voters and the whole world would laugh at us for wasting the supposedly greatest form of government (many people die everyday for that right, you know).

so, i guess if i went to vote, and my name was crossed off, indicating that i already voted, and i didn't, what could i do?
the argument for voter id's is overwhelming, isn't it?

There seems to be a political party that looks sideways at voter cheating but claims unfair. Then this party makes it difficult for service people to vote. One party champions illegal activity at voting stations, then attempts to use the power of the US government to confound champions who have no voting stations.This is suspect, and should stop. Better us use of efforts would be to promote citizenship.
We can always use more tax payers.

Voter ID is nothing but a political football. It shouldn't even be a question. After working this issue for several years I am convivced that if the Secretary of State was a Republican it would have passed without delay years ago. Passing should be painless and simple. Voting is the most important act most people will perform. If we allow corruption in the voting booth to continue it will not be long before we have corruption everywhere. We must start taking voting serious. As creativity grows our methods for enforcement must grow. This must be passed imediately stop making everything so complicated. We throw away billions of tax dollars every year certainly we can afford this mandatory need. Our future depends on acting responsibly. This is the place to start. I'm sick of my vote being cancelled by someone that is not a citizen or has never paid taxes in this country.

Kevin - you are so right on - for years there have been tactics to keep people from voting.In the early 1960's people died because they taught illiterate people to write their names to meet the requirement to vote. In parts of this country believe it or not some citizens do not have a license or ID. Plus voter turnout is so low now I don't know what effect required Ids might do to further lower it.

Don - I agree about it becoming hard to become a citizen. I have Irish friends (one is a PHD!) who are trying to become citizens - working here on Visas for 5 plus years but somehow need to be here 5 more to get to start the process. And that's Ireland. When I think of folks born in food poor or warring countries, I think Thank God we was born here.

Of course you should show an ID. if you have nothing to hide there should not be a problem.

Folks, this had been a relatively civil debate up until now, with strongly worded arguments but people generally avoiding base level attacks. Refrain from that and we'll be OK; stray from that and we'll have to moderate the comments more stringently.

Republicans should have to present three forms of picture ID to vote while Democrats should have to show none. That could pass in Massachusetts.

Reverend E. Reverend Pimperton III

The argument that requiring an ID 'disenfranchises the poor and minority voters' is such nonsense it's laughable. To me, it means that they must want anyone to vote, registered or not, citizen or not. Voting is a sacred right and needs to remain as such. I don't think there are many people in today's world who can live without some type of ID, since you need it to buy cold medication, pick up many prescriptions, take a Greyhound Bus, etc. Of course, they need to ask for the ID when people register, as well, that's the key. I also think it's nonsense that there is no voter fraud. It's just too hard to catch and prove.

Some one came in the dead of Night and taped an Obama sign over my Romney Sign at my cottage in N.H. And your not worried about Voter Fraud?

Look around at a divided America and ask yourself; is this is a noble goal? If the American people fail to place the country before party we will share the misery equally. Ideas should mean something. Emotions led us into this downward slide, we must think our way out of it; or face the consequences, which promise to be very unpleasant for years to come.

Reverend Pimperton has it correct. We must unite, have the laws of the land imposed on everyone equally.

If anyone proposes legislation to combat voter fraud, Democrats will loudly scream that the proposal could "disenfranchise" some voter, somewhere. We must ensure, they argue, that voting is easy and accessible to every single voter. Every voter, that is, except the men and women of our military.

Make no mistake, the Democrat lawsuit is intended to disenfranchise some unknown number of military voters. The judge should reject it with prejudice.
The lawsuit seeks to restrict military voting.
This is the history, and happened before, last election, the election before etc. You can spin this with legal speak but it has a clear history DNA. http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/obama-campaign-lawsuit-seeks-to-make-military-voting-more-difficult/question-2856893/

The issues of our time are very complicated: the world economy, Iran, Climate Change, ... If someone is not able to get up and get a photo ID, do you really want them voting? I would argue they should just stay home.

We seem to be veering off into accusations of one side or other of this debate, instead of focusing on the facts. Let me try to provide a summation of the arguments from either side to reset and refocus the discussion.

Those opposed to voter ID laws argue:

- Voter fraud is rare, according to studies: http://bit.ly/OngaQw

- As many as 10 percent of eligible voters in the U.S. do not have the documents required by voter ID laws and ID requirements fall hardest on people who have traditionally faced barriers at the polls: http://bit.ly/M0ipUq

- The issue is non-partisan because Republicans have also been implicated in voter fraud cases: http://indy.st/Ul5OAu and http://bit.ly/QtDBcs

- Amendment XXIV of the Constitution states that the right to vote "shall not be denied or abridged ... by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax," which means the government cannot require to buy something in order to vote: http://1.usa.gov/cAuM0q

Those in favor of voter ID laws argue:

- Voter fraud is hard to identify, lessening the impact of those studies: http://on.wsj.com/QbhRiJ

- Obtaining the proper documents to meet a Voter ID law's requirements costs little to nothing and are easy to obtain. (Note: Pennsylvania's Voter ID law waives cost of obtaining an ID card: http://bit.ly/HsprhG)

- There are obvious flaws and loopholes in the system, so why wait until actual fraud happens and fix the problem now?

I'd also like to point out these two well-written op-eds debating for and against Voter ID laws from the Christian Science Monitor:

The conservative case against voter ID laws: http://bit.ly/Ul8gH7

Voter ID laws are inherently reasonable, not racist or Republican: http://bit.ly/OU7WcJ

But then all those busloads of winos that the Democrats round up every election and ferry about from polling place to polling place could only make one trip! Whyever would we want to do such a thing? Wouldn't it hurt the economy to put all of those ward bosses & party loyalists out of work?

Can anyone explain how an ID is difficult to fake for someone interested in stealing an election? Bouncers at nightclubs go out of their way to find a punk with a fake ID they can exert power over and yet the bars are full of underage kids. The sweet elderly volunteers are great for volunteering but would not be difficult to fool with a fake ID.

Dan, how are you going to protect DEPLOYED troops from having there votes included is my contention. Conus (state side) troops can vote normally. I myself had an absentee ballot in 08 sent back to me, from the town for insufficient postage all the while knowing and stamped, that mail postage is waived from war zones (except parcels). This was an official ballot form slightly over the normal APO size limit is all I could figure. Thus my vote would never count even if I rushed it out of my FOB to Kabul, and on at my expense with limited time. The DOD goes through hoops to ensure deployed troops get the means to vote in any election only to see these ballots returned for obtuse reasons.(mostly blue states BTW. Meanwhile a dead persons vote from some graveyard in Illinois is counted twice.
Do not tell me that voter fraud is not an issue or has been for a long time. My family has to get the ballot, put it in another package and send it to me at expense.
In 2007, the US Election Assistance Commission reported that more than 70 percent of military ballots in 2006 election were not counted. In 2008, thousands of ballots arrived late, were never sent or simply never arrived. This Ohio BS is just another layer of problems stuffing or stifling votes. Creating voter apathy is just another way to roll. The way I figure it I should be able to vote 3 X's this November. yes it wasn't isolated.
http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/military-voting-low-record/2012/08/31/id/450541

George - I am saying that if kids without much to gain other than access to a club can fool trained bouncers who are itching to be tough guys then groups that have a powerful political office to gain could easily get by elderly volunteers. I do not think there is much voter fraud taking place through false identities but if you believe that there is a widespread conspiracy to steal elections by using the name of a registered voter who does not show up to the polls then you should realize that ID requirements are useless. Perhaps you would be happy if we required a sedula.

I must mow the lawn Dan, but this good! However quickly,there has been issues in NY, IL, Cal, Va, Fla. granted that some are back & forth color claims on some of these states. The most egregious being Cal & NY...If you must vote early just do an absentee ballot like most. I had to during the recent gas blower wars as I was away. Also a suspicious time? Summer one vote ballot what up with that. But compromise should be king on that one hopefully... Signal you later...Happy Labor day to all!

It's a voter suppression effort cooked up by the Republicans.

Steve,

Better check under your bed every night... there could be a Republican under there.

Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III

Why stop at a lousy ID card to be able to cast a vote. Why not go back to the original idea of the founding fathers which, until 1850, allowed only adult white male property-owners to have the right to vote (about 10 -16% of the total population). Maybe while we're at it, we should abolish the 15th Amendment which would solve the problem of the African-Americans who do not have driver licenses, thus no IDs.

Finally, a literacy test for voting, such as the one enacted in Massachusetts in 1857, would be a good idea.

You don't have to look too hard to find voter fraud and there is a case under investigation right here in Massachusetts and the perp appears to be a Republican!

http://www.wggb.com/2012/08/15/voter-fraud-confirmed-state-takes-over-east-longmeadow-election/

Or Independents...That's the trouble with you guys it's always someone Else's fault. You just can't wait for things to evolve. We live in a primitive world, very lucky to have what we have. Very lucky...And it's slipping fast. There's not a large enough mirror to fit your big egos in, you have been dulled and spoiled by hopium...Perhaps you should stop looking for boogie man under beds, and take a good look at what thou has wrought. Rules are for Republics, not monolithic societies. None of you would not survive what you envision. You give the impression that you have 0 ideas how to protect fragile basic freedoms. It is more valuable than you can possibly imagine. It's as simple as a one citizen one vote. If you fudge that one...Well get use to soldiers in our streets. Unity not diversity. We need Athenians as well as Spartans to survive. Or have we forgotten this basic of rules.

Quas, you are correct. I am in favor of Voters showing ID's and new voters registering by mail already have to show an ID the first time they vote so I don't see what the big deal is.

Do I need to attach identification to my voter registration form?
Yes, if you are registering to vote for the first time in Massachusetts. Because of a federal law, the Help America Vote Act of 2002 passed by Congress, if you registered to vote by mail on or after January 1, 2003, you will be required to show identification when you vote for the first time in a federal election since registering by mail in 2003, or you can send in a copy of your identification with your voter registration form.
Acceptable identification must include your name and the address at which you are registered to vote, for example: a current and valid driver’s license, photo identification, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document showing your name and address. If you send in a copy of your identification with your mail-in voter registration form, it may not be returned to you.
If you do not provide such identification, the Help America Vote Act of 2002 requires that you may only cast a provisional ballot which will be counted later, but only after your eligibility to vote has been determined.

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howreg.htm

I'm hearing a lot of the professional "talking points" being restated here. Too bad. Not sure you realize how your are being influenced to support someone's end.
Want to "demonstrate" a case for voter fraud to further your end? Simply submit tens or hundreds of obviously (or not so obviously) fake absentee ballots. Once discovered you can point your finger and say "hey look, fraud. We told you so. Now is the time for new laws and regulation to prevent this scourge."

The goal is to get as many people to vote lawfully, correct? If IDs are going to be used, stick to the constitution and avoid taxing people by making it free. Also, make the ID as easy as possible obtain. However, I think you would find those who are offering up these new voter ID laws completely against 24th amendment or making it easy since the true objective is not authenticity but preventing participation.

Here's a breakdown by state. Thirty three states already have Voter ID laws in place.
http://www.ncsl.org/legislatures-elections/elections/voter-id.aspx

Keep in mind when someone or some group would like to create cause for certain ends, the motives need to be understood. You can often find these private organizations resorting to what is called "false flag" operations. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_flag
They create fake issues or situations to prove an end. These private organizations are funded by people who want certain outcomes. If you knew just how many PR organizations and lobbying groups practice this on the public you might begin to think differently about motives of what you are hearing on a range of issues. It is often subtle and repetitive propaganda over a long time horizon. For example, do you really think that any new oil drilled from public lands or tar sands is going to stay in the US? That is the narrative, drill here and it will make us energy independent. Sounds nice, we generally like the concept of being energy independent. However, the truth is that the companies involved with oil extraction will sell it in a global market to those who will pay the highest price. So this drill, drill fallacy is propagated over and over by people who know full well that it will do nothing to ensure energy independence. Anyone who questions drilling must be cast as against energy independence.

Same for Vote ID laws, if anyone against them make sure you label them as wanting fraud rather than someone feeling voting is inalienable and we should look with great suspicion on those who should put conditions on us.

Meh, I'm betting that the majority of people whose panties are bunched at the idea of a non-citizen sneaking a vote in have never given a moment's thought to the idea of Diebold counting all the votes. Typical case of faux-news induced misplaced hysteria.

Dan here is one blurb from Virginia Fairfax County...Not sure if DOD is negligent in getting troops to vote, there just providing a service as directed. It is however low priority over there, like bathing, kidding...Usually an adjunct at the end of a mission brief (reminders) but still plenty of time to act. Signs on a latrine door, bunkers or dining facility. Again plenty of information and instruction.
My experiences was that most all were eager to vote. But 1st you need a ballot? Still on my own experiences, 1st time no ballot, second time after making extra special arrangements, ballot arrived a few days before the election. 3rd time I had it delivered as early as possible by my wife in a package and sent it right back only to get the ballot returned to me a month after the elections. Last I heard the DOD has limited powers over USPS. And USPS has nothing to do with county or who ever is responsible for absentee ballots. So it looks like military citizens wishing to vote are now blamed for apathy? Or is it total capitulation to corruptions, or plan old ineptness. Either is disgusting.
Question, If your in the precinct, why would someone need an extra 3 days? To make a physical mark? Is someone crawling to a poll or what? Why not just get an absentee right? Make sure your ballot/vote is in stupid early, safe and then counted once when its time.
http://xbradtc.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/military-voting/

Just the fact that Obama's "Fast and Furious" AG, racist Eric Holder, routinely sues every state that tries to keep elections honest - says everything anyone should need to know to convince them why we need a photo voter ID law in every single state.

From today's Drudge: You need an ID to get NEAR the DNC in Charlotte.
http://twitchy.com/2012/09/02/suppression-dnc-charlotte-identification-required-even-just-near-convention-site/

I have no problem presenting an ID to vote. If I can't get behind the steering wheel of a car, out of a liquor store or onto an airplane at Logan airport without one, then I should expect to be turned away as required by law at all the above mentioned places. Voting should be no different.

Could photos be added to EBT cards? Then you would have "free" IDs.

One arguement being made is that cost would prevent some from obtaining a valid ID. I presented one option to provide free IDs. I never said it would cover all cases and didn't mention "poor" people.

Joe Gray, can a state pass a law that denies the freedom of the press? Passes a law that tells you that you must be a Catholic? Right, they can't. The Constitution is the law of the land by which other laws are derived. A Voter ID law that says only white people who own 10 acres of land would not be legal because the Constitution says it is. Every state, as a condition of being part of this country, agrees to uphold the Constitution and view it as taking precedence over all. When state officials are sworn into office, they take an oath to uphold the Constitution. So yes, states can pass laws, but not if it violates the supreme law of the land.

If you want to learn some more about the Constitution, you can read about it here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Constitution#Federal_relationships

Hi Parker. It seems that your implied definitions show that over 30 states are breaking Federal constitution or something to that effect. Many states have passed laws requiring voter ID. Those states laws are still standing. Which circles me back to not understanding why this is being dragged into a Federal constitutional area of debate, when the article above clearly wants opinions on whether MA should pass such a law. We disagree, obviously. I'll say "yes" and hold back from shoveling out random links that no one is going to click on and follow ayway. Might be a spam trick to make me see an ad for broomhandles or something. :-)

I don't know how Diana defines "poor". Actually, many of the EBT benficiaries I see at the supermarket appear to be better off than most. They don't have money for food, yet have money for tattoos and body piercings. Then they load their brand name groceries - no generic or store-brand for them - into some pretty nice vehicles - paid for by the rest of us through some government program that rewards you for having illegitimate children.
Maybe, she means all the phonies in Reading living paycheck to paycheck so they can drive big SUVs, living in a house they can barely afford, maxing out their credit cards on expensive vacations keeping up with the "Jones". Now that's "poor", but they probably have a valid ID. Hey, but the "free" full-day daycare, I mean Kindergarten, will help.

;-)

Yes

OT - Just to set Daniel straight, the phrase "separation of church and state does NOT appear anywhere in the Constitution and the first clause of the 1st Amend does NOT mean the same thing - not even close. Leftists routinely take the separation phrase out of context from a letter Jefferson wrote in reply to a Baptist (?) minister who implored Jefferson to make the USA a Christian nation by law. In contrast, the 1st Amend PROHIBITS CONGRESS not school teachers, (the ONLY branch that is ~supposed to be~ afforded Constitutional power to ENACT LEGISLATION), from making laws (not prayers - which they still have before sesssion) in regard to promoting any given religion OR infringing upon our right to exercise any given religion. If Congress is so prohibited then the other two branches have ZERO authority as well but that didn't stop leftist activist judges from prohibiting school prayer and they were not only magnificently wrong but injured everyone's civil right to freedom of religion.

Good one...
So after one persons review, there looks like there ARE many ways to prove who you are at the polls. just need competent peeps to check them...It should be free for the undefined poor who won't vote anyway but cost the people living in Reading with big cars and lavish vacations living day to day to pay for them. EBT cards are cool, but no religious overtones while voting. Get the unreliable machines that count them tuned up, get political subliminal s banned from tweaking the process.The constitution the original blue print, is apparently irrelevant. And my beef that deployed soldier votes can be discarded...My quick count looks like 3-1 for voter ID. America, "err" Massachusetts, home of the Adams boys..."We can do this"

Interesting approach to debates here.

Throw out an opinion that's presented in a way that makes it seem like fact --> get challenged by opposing view --> ad hominem attack --> repeat of opposing view --> throw up hands and leave debate with another ad hominem attack.

Kids, take note.

Where did that "Phil" troll come from and why is he disrupting threads?

Voter Fraud is negligible. They say maybe 10 instances across the entire country. There's no money in it because the GOP hasn't found a way to pay off people to fake it.

Hey this isn't shop lifting PAP. Voter fraud comes in all forms is the point...At least read a few post before you bleat... Negligible...Better word is closer to blatant. Check out the 1960 election, there still pissed about that one.

Definitely must upgrade the term "voter fraud"...Sounds more like an insurance scam.
Voter identity theft...Or felonious constitutional theft of personal citizen rights.

The illusion is that you have the right to vote. When a Supreme Court steps in and throws out the Florida vote so that George W. Bush won't be "irreparably harmed" they harm the entire country. Corporations and politicians hold on to power like a drug. The deceptive GOP doesn't even like its current candidate (Romney). It is stuck with him, and they know that without keeping voters away from the polls Romney has less of a chance. It's truly reprehensible because enough people won't come out and fight for their civil rights, their First Amendment rights, etc.

A Raleigh-based group devoted to reducing the potential for voter fraud presented the N.C. Board of Elections on Friday with a list of nearly 30,000 names of dead people statewide who are still registered to vote.
“Since there is no voter ID law in North Carolina, anybody can walk in and claim to be anyone else.”
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/09/02/3497857/group-says-it-found-30000-dead.html#storylink=cpy

They will only be making phoney ID's Just like Handicapped Placards. If a law went through you can bet that the crooks will be pumping out cards by the thousands.

When I was a Democrat we were taught, "What To Campaign On."

We can't talk about unemployment, it's too high.
We can't talk about our approval rating, it's too low.
We can't talk about the deficit, it's too high.
We can't talk about the credit rating, it's too low.
We can't talk about taxes, they're too high.
We can't talk about the value of the dollar, it's too low.
We can't talk about gas prices, they're too high.
We can't talk about the budget, we have none.
We can't talk about the economy, it's in shambles.
We can't talk about electric cars, no one wants them.
We can't talk about energy - wind and solar don't work.
We can't talk about Israel, never been there.

Looks Like All We Have Is Smear. Source: FB photo, Author unknown.

And now that I'm a Republican we are taught, "What To Campaign On."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5i3F0YnkP0&list=UU67f2Qf7FYhtoUIF4Sf29cA&index=1&feature=plpp_video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9L9A1IMTQo&feature=relmfu

Source: BadLipReading

"Old News" that the Supreme Court interfered in the voting process? Or "Old News" that the Jeb Bush/Katherine Harris controlled media wrote what they wanted you to quote? It was disgraceful, just as disgraceful as JFK allegedly stealing the election from Nixon. Votes must count. All this nonsense about "voter fraud" and dead people --- all 30,000 of 'em -allegedly registered to vote, blame the clerks who oversee this - and get paid to oversee it - and fire them. It's very simple. They want us all bickering so that the election can be riddled with inefficiency, like Republican voter machines that switch a vote from Democrat to Republican. Never talk politics or religion and Romney is giving us both - a candidate his own party despises and the "politics" of Joseph Smith thrown in to boot. Has it really come down to this?

I think we should let all the Deceased People vote again.

This thread is getting off topic again and getting a little trollish. Keep it on topic. We're talking Voter ID laws. Keep it civil and refrain from base level attacks and we'll be OK; stray from that and we'll have to moderate the comments more stringently.

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Yes.
If for no other reason, it would get liberals all worked up :)

Big fish...
What crook can possibly make cake on stolen deceased folks names and phoney ID's on a presidential election, come on are you serious? What low life would chance something that crazy & despicable? The only possible player is who ever is worried and would do anything to try and tilt an outcome?? Some one with some experience in this sort of thing, but who? Someone would have to pay off these low brow crooks...Sounds positively seedy, and a truly desperate act.
OOps, my duh, now I get it.
Man it's like I had a Sears Tower fall on me there for a second.

Back in Edgar Allen Poe's time (he died around October 7, 1849) people allegedly hired people to do that sort of thing, buy votes using a variety of names. From WIkipedia:: "ne theory, dating from 1872, indicates that cooping – in which unwilling citizens who were forced to vote for a particular candidate were occasionally killed – was the cause of Poe's death. [74]. With cameras everywhere these days it would be silly to even attempt it...unless your name is GOP hack Ann Coulter who was allegedly investigated for voter fraud. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/08/ann-coulter-under-investi_n_165007.html Oh, wait a minute...Republicans want to stop voter fraud, and one of the biggest Republican names is alleged to have done it!

Noone seems to be talking about the best example we have of voter suppression. During the 2008 election, when black panthers in PA blocked a polling place and intimdated people into not coming in to vote. Despite video evidence and many witness accounts, our AG Holder has refused to press charges in this case.
And in reference to voting machines, I've long felt that the style we have in Somerville is the best of both worlds. Only the counting is electronic, and there is still a paper trail for hand-counting if necessary.

No excuse to not enforce an uncorruptible voter ID. Those who gain by lax stadards are either non citizens who are here illegally, or criminals who are in hiding, while others sell theirs for drugs or booze. The so called studies are corrupt to support those who want to take over our country and dump the constitution. Yes, voter picture ID. It also could be used to discourage the fraudulent takers of welfare.

GOP hack Ann Coulter should be forced to take me to a lavish dinner and explain this mess. If it's reported in the Huffington Post it must be true, there so fair and accurate. This guy Dan Borchers sounds a little creepish. Christian conservative perspective? He have a web site devoted to chasing down Coulter> If this is fraud example or what, sounds like she voted in the wrong place is all.
I agree Barbara picture ID would go a long way to curbing all sorts of fraud. Isn't that a good thing? This is all confusing and simple at the same time.

Voter Fraud committed by the GOP: Diebold had to change its name to Premier Election Solutions. "This suit eventually led to a victory for the plaintiffs against Diebold, when in October 2004 Judge Jeremy Fogel ruled that Diebold abused its copyrights in its efforts to suppress the embarrassing memos." Unbelievable. Blackwater changed its name to Academi, and Dick Bush and George W. Cheney didn't bother to change their names - along with Sarah Palin they were denied entry to the Republican National Convention. Those are the facts.

WE CANNOT BE A 1ST WORLD COUNTRY FILLED WITH 3RD WORLD VOTERS...

ISN'T IT BAD ENOUGH THEY RECEIVE THE BENEFITS OF THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT HAVING TO GIVE BACK OR STAND BY THIS COUNTRY.

WHEN WILL PEOPLE WAKE UP TO REALITY...THAT IS THE REAL QUESTION

Wow.

If the concern has tailed off into illegals voting then the argument for ID's is even less important. I hear constant complaints that non-citizens can get a drivers license so obviously they all have ID's to get into the poll. Citizenship should be checked when a person registers to vote and the non-citizens will be kept off of the registered voter list.

3rd world NONE registered voters, it would indeed be a very lonely place... Agree with that! I dig legal 3rd world Americans.
4th 2nd 12th world non registered voters what's the difference. I agree with the majority and the law...Play by the rules of THIS land and then get behind your favorite candidate...I have 0 problems from folks trying to get shed of some horrid sh-- hole country, I've been to them. But freedom is not "err" free...Despite what some may invoke. There are a few rules. The process is a little tough especially if you don't know the language, but the rewards are great. You get to Vote, pay your share of taxes and welcomed into the club with back slaps, and big thanks for coming!!! Live a full American style life, or not. You will have the choice once your sworn in like everyone else....If not hit the bricks, sorry but you can't vote here. You shouldn't even PAHHK here actually. And if your caught stealing votes or misrepresenting ...Well you just better not, see...Or someone might give you the stink eye around here, see.

Does everyone here understand the reasoning the gov't wants this...do you realize that when you sign for any ID you are actually signing a contract with the gov't to play by their rules...it's unconstitutional. It's trickery and underhandedness... In other words when you place your signature on your license you are actually signing a contract with the gov't to obey the laws that surround the rules that surround it. However, this is a rabbit hole I don't think anyone here is ready to go down....and very difficult for most to understand. However the gov't has us believing its really something else...EVIL DOINGS!!!

Don't vote and you have no say, AT ALL. Allow the no ID crowd to exempt the underground to ignore rules and watch more freedoms to disappear. Along with your comfort zone. Believe me I think government over stepped it's authority big time. But this is a good thing to do. Actually it's what it's suppose to do. As opposed to backing Real estate or student loans, or social issues. I don't even want them delivering mail or running trains. Local & Federals can keep a eye on it and keep A LEVEL FIELD and step in when needed, even then I'm worried what they may do.
This a peoples Republic and up to peoples to slug it out in debate. hopefully legally and civilly. It will be a rabbit hole if we get distracted.

Q can't hang...leave Dan alone he's having fun. Just tune out...It's your right.
Oh and vote legally! And your right, they don't vote, it's the legal voters that foul!

Daniel,

Thank you for providing adult supervision for this unusually long string of comments. A nudge back to the subject at hand has been instructive.

In my case, I intend to vote early and vote often.

Your spiritual advisor,
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III

Jason,

How is that lazy and irresponsible? Also, what about the people who don't believe in banks, and therefore keep all of their money in their mattress? Yet anther case where an ID would not be needed.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Voter ID is a solution in search of a problem.

Really?

It is Aron, it's lazy and irresponsible.

Voting is a Civic Duty.

You go ahead and keep your money in your mattress and try to buy a house. Get a loan to buy a car, try it I challenge you.

Jason,

You seem to have mistaken the hypothetical with reality. I have several bank accounts (both private and business), a car, and an apartment.

Also, I've voted in every election in which I was able since I turned 18. Now spare me your pity moralizing, please.

Oh, excuse me. The car is a lease. So I don't *exactly* own it.

His point that you can't have all those things WITHOUT a state issued ID, so you essentially just proved his point.

People who keep their cash under a mattress (whom are probably 0.00004% of voters, are not likely to care to vote since nothing that happens affect their mattress) don't need to cast a vote, so who cares? This doesn't affect them.

I'm all for voter ID. If an individual wants to be a part of this country, they know they need to be identified as such, so this will not hinder anyone who votes regularly.

Reverend E Brother you crack me up! If you can't be riveting be witty. Not that your not riveting. Quite the opposite.
Also if I may, "If you can't dazzle em with brilliance...Baffle em with b_ll sh_t"
Groucho Marx... Not the ruthless dictator, the funny one...

Aron how can you be so sensible with auto finance, but the other way (I'm just saying) on voting? I commend you for voting! There are way to many Americans in early graves water and land, that insist we vote. But we must protect the hive. And it's never ending ongoing very tough work being in the America biz.. Unfortunately, or not, nothing stays the same. And no one can be trusted. Not even Reverend E! Kidding, he's a man of the papal.

Correction Marx (the father of socialism) was not that ruthless or a dictator...But he had a mustache...Comparisons end there.

If we require ID's then how will illegal aliens get to vote?

Ted Coates? Are you out there?

Showing ID to vote is common sense. Those who rail against it (such as the democrat party and the labor unions) are (for the most part) disingenuous -- they require ID to vote in labor union elections and to get into party functions, yet claim it is "unfair" to require the same in order to vote in other elections.

ANY vote cast by someone not eligible weakens the opinion of EVERY person who is eligible. If one really, truly believes in the "will of the people," then one must promote the idea that only those eligible, registered, and identified be allowed to exercise franchise.

Arguments on cost of ID are mostly specious -- the folks to whom this will be an "undue burden" already must have ID to buy cigarettes, alcohol, get money from their bank account, et cetera ad nauseum. Additionally, they are -separate- concerns, related to but not conjoined with the desire to prevent voter fraud. Another separate - and quite legitimate - concern is vote-COUNTING fraud. That needs to be addressed as well -- but it cannot be addressed by the same methods that will work for voter ID. That fraud occurs in a different part of the system, and must be addressed there.

Anyone who has read of the registration of tens of thousands of dead voters, "Mickey Mouse," warehouse-dwelling voters, etc. cannot deny that voter fraud exists.

You don't have a constitutional right to vote in a labor party election, or to get into party functions, or to buy cigarettes, or alcohol, or have a bank account.

You DO have a constitutional right to vote at no cost.

Ad nauseum, indeed.

Just make sure everyone gets out and votes no matter who you like. I vote in ward one and been to the poles different times and very few are there. With all the knowledge you young men and women have get out there and practice your rights. Where there is Unity,There Is Strength !

Please, get out and vote. If elections could change anything at all, they would have been cancelled long time ago.

Diana did you mean to say that you don't need ID to buy butts or booze? In this state, in these current X's? I hope I read that wrong. Yikes CVS and the local packies may question that, I would...All have been stung and suspended then subsequently tested regularly...I'm a former booze merchant myself back in the roaring 80's-90's BC (before computers).
We had many checks and we tried very hard to establish a reputation as a tough challenge within the fake ID world (Boston back Bay). My old beef with fake ID's, and that was always the case not that we didn't check, is that the onus is on the merchant not the attempted fraud suspect. If they were successful, and something happened they always said "we got it there". Not "we are guilty of fraud". This is the rub, if reversed, and the attemptee was held responsible for fraudulent actions It would definitely trim attempts huge If caught. Of course the domain owner must be also be in the responsibility loop.
These fraudulent attempt to misrepresent, or encourage, there must be heavy consequences. Voting, under age, identity, etc.
These are the X's we live in.

Yes, ID should be required and of course there will be fake id's - we should crack down on the people allowing the fake ID's to be made...and be like other countries that require paperwork to be in the country....the end.

A breaking twist on this debate: Today, the Justice Department gave the OK to New Hampshire's Voter ID law, which requires a photo ID, but allows those without a photo ID to vote after signing an affidavit that lets the state follow up with a letter in order to weed out any fraud: http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/05/justice/new-hampshire-voter-id/index.html

So, does this satisfy the Constitutional requirement that there isn't a poll tax? Is it sufficient enough to give the state the means to crack down on fraud?

Sorry D wrong post...Thanks

This is a good step and a decent compromise by NH Live free and wield a huge snow shovel...
Diana, was going with the everyday ID issues and how they can flip on responsibility. You know the creeping incrementallsm that has slowly compromised & eroded the Constitution.

I still have no idea what an ID requirement will accomplish. This argument has spun off all over the place but there is still no reason for additional government taking of liberties. Non-citizens can get ID's but can not register to vote. Pretending to be a registered voter who will not go to the poll requires intimate knowledge of an individuals plans to not vote so would be impossible to do on a large scale. There is no legitimate need for this nonsense. We should focus on the frauds whose names appear on the ballots instead.

A Democratic state legislator from east Arkansas, his father and two campaign workers pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to commit election fraud.
"In a nation in which every person's vote matters, protecting the integrity of the electoral process from those who seek to win office by cheating the system is critical," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Duke
"Voter fraud schemes such as that carried out in the 2011 District 54 race have the devastating effect of eroding public confidence in elected officials and disenfranchising voters."

Today, I voted, without an ID, FOUR times. However, since I am a fair-minded fellow, I voted only once for each of the 4 candidates.

I had a hunch about you, quasimodo

I voted in all 6 precincts

Absentee ballot fraud, is not ID fraud? Fraud - Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraud
Neither is acceptable...Is this an argument to justify two wrongs as something arbitrary? If Ms Tucker wants to call out an issue great! That's what good journalist are suppose to do. But she just ends up bashing the apparent opposite party of hers. Poor journalist. Folks in rural areas that can't get to a poll can use the absentee ballot. Just like old white guys do...All they have to do is register ONCE, and have a physical address. to receive the ballot. And half a buck to mail it. Or give it to Ms Tucker to deliver...
I'm sorry but there seems to be more excuses to not vote than to vote. I'd rather everyone has a chance to vote, but this is getting ridiculous. How do some of these folks find there shoes in the morning? I tried 3 x's to vote the last big elections, (I do locals also) and every time, during the big elections by absentee, I was 1/2 way around the world dealing with wars, and was able to vote. But of course they were never counted. Was I defrauded...YES I was, and I'm not good with that Ms Tucker.

As if on cue...
http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/Ark-lawmaker-pleads-guilty-to-election-charge/qjc8PtXwfkC8frDCgwLNrg.cspx

It is not unreasonable for people to have to prove who they are. Once upon a time, everyone knew everyone and proof was not necessary. Times have changed.

When you register to vote you should have to present some form of ID but not when you vote on an ongoing basis. You are already registered so it should be unnecessary.

So when its time to not vote anymore, do you show an ID at the pearly gates? Who's in charge of that list?
Do you know how many people don't vote on vote day. Who's in charge of that list?
Your leaving a bunch of stuff out there Liz F.
We have to many boxes unchecked which means that's a lot of potential issues stolen that's left on the table for the unscrupulous. Do you feel the trust? I don't not now not then, not ever. With the tightness recent years every vote is eyeballed. We all remember that guy with the bug eye looking at chads in Fla right .
Want some other cool examples? Here's an oldie but still relevant...After this your on your own to research.
http://jpfo.org/filegen-a-m/athens.htm

Wind Dummy, I looked up "The Battle of Athens," sometimes called the McMinn County War and on Jan 1, 2012 the state of Tennessee implemented a Photo ID to vote law!

http://mcminnelections.com/

Tennessee NH, wow...Wonder what that means for Misseschusetts?Jim that example had everything...Violence, brutality, schemes, patronage, personal gain, etc the works. I feel it is still relevant to present era politics. Much more subtle of course but the untrusted are still hard at work. What's very troubling is it's right in our face. However big phony voices and emotional razzle dazzle, mask the slight of hand. A bucket of cash also works, or the promise of.

To some there cannot be any hardship placed on anybody trying to exercise their 'right to vote' yet no hurdle is high enough for others trying to exercise their 'right to bear arms'.

If the issue of having an ID to vote is cost, have the Super PACS pay the Registry of Motor Vehicles to create them. You'd create jobs and the rich would pay for the poor to vote. For those who say it's a problem because then you'd have to follow the rules like a contract, no kidding! This is America. There are rules. Follow them or leave.

I've already said that I'm in favor of Voter ID. Here is another reason in favor of it that has not been mentioned anywhere is these comments.

I would hardly call 18 voters a "process." More like a very small and random sampling. Not one of the 18 had to show an ID so there is no way to tell if they were the actual people they said they were.

Quick note about the voting processes on site...Many instances, not reported, is that folks not associated with poll people, hang around and sniff out voter trends. Either by asking the poll people acting as friends or outside at exit polling. If they notice trends that concern there interests, they report it on to more unsavory types who begin the tasks of, well that's when it gets wonderful. Do not be fooled by template answers. Poll workers generally do the specific grunt work. They are not trained to be counter spy finders.

Wendy Rosen drops challenge to Andy Harris after allegations she voted in two states - baltimoresun.com
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-wendy-rosen-withdraws-20120910,0,3764352.story

Oh no. That silly democrat.
Giving up a seat to the GOP. How smaht' is she...

Democrats say voter fraud is virtually nonexistent, and describe voter ID laws as a pretext to make it more difficult for the poor, minorities and other traditionally Democratic-leaning groups to vote.
Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, commended the "swift and decisive action" of Democrats to demand Rosen's withdrawal.
"The action taken today by the Maryland Democratic Party sends a clear message to Marylanders — we will not tolerate any violation of election laws," Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat said.
Out the other side of his mouth. We'll see right?
She apparently is not an illegal alien. This is the beef, the poor and illegal are not the big problem as led to believe. It's looks like the party itself.

Everyone will need a Drivers license or a Federal ID in 2014 or you will not be able to board a plane or enter a Federal Building. So why not use the ID for voting?? Florida has already complied. Here's what it's about----

Additional proof of identity documents are now required by the "Real ID" Act, passed by the United States Congress in 2005 as a result of the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001 when obtaining a drivers license. Florida implemented the law January 1, 2010. The new "secure identity" driver license is identified by a gold star in the upper right corner.

You ask: What are the restrictions and when will they become effective?

The most significant impact will be the ability to board airplanes and enter Federal Buildings. For those born after December 1, 1964, a valid "standard" Driver License can be used for the above until December 1, 2014. For everyone else, a valid "standard" Driver License can be used for the above until December 1, 2017.

OK Here ya go :-) Below is a link to the states that require voter ID's and those who don't. Massachusetts is one that does not require and ID.

http://www.ncsl.org/legislatures-elections/elections/voter-id.aspx

All true, but I think they could have made a better choice with the messenger? Holy _hit! That was hard to watch, credibility and message lost...I was more focused on what she was gonna say next. Man I've heard better language in a barracks! So out of place and o score for coolness. Was that a pubic service announcement? Terrible.
FID card may be the way to go actually. Photo, address and clearance with expiration. I have no problem with that idea at all. If you can't qualify for an FID card you probably shouldn't be voting anyway, because your a felon or illegal. Problem is it costs. But so does a drivers license and any other qualifying ID. Strange times indeed, but probably still necessary. We brought all this on ourselves. All for one etc.

BTW I don't find Silverman all that shocking or creative in her attempt to draw attention to voter issues Her attempt was kind of sad and a cringing uncomfortable forced comedy...Carlin, Rickles, Lenny Bruce, Dick Gregory, Dennis Miller, even Roseanne Barr are and where very good at original funny shock political humor, it's all in the timing, she should practice more... Voter fraud in the U.S. deserves a way better venue than that.

Why are we fixing an Issue that happens .0004% of the time? The extremely rare instances of fruad do not influence the outcome of elections. What it is ment to do is restrict voting. Poor people, Elderly people, people who do not have a drivers license will not vote. Some may find it more work than its worth and not vote. Every citizen has the right to vote and we should make it as easy as possible and encourage voting. Why fix a problem that does not really exist?

Its a BS scare tactic to control voter turnout!

It is quite clear that voter fraud put Al Franken in office in Minnesota, and that in turn saddled the nation with ObamaCare. You have to show ID to get certain medicines at the drug store, buy liquor, fly on a plane, and even enter many places of business (I'm in a technical profession, and have to show ID just to visit many customers). Just try and visit your neighborhood school without showing ID.
It is not difficult to obtain ID. Every citizen has a right to vote, and every citizen also has a right to know their vote is not being cancelled out by someone who shouldn't be voting.

Voter fraud put Al Franken in office? Care to provide us with proof?

Oy veh:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=voter+fraud+franken

RH, where do you get that figure? Since Voter Fraud occurs using the Inactive Voters List. Those who votes have been stolen don't even know it.

Are you joking AL? That election was text book fraud, almost a "How To" or "Voter fraud for Dummies" go ahead and search < voter fraud Al Franken >, Were you out of the loop for those forgettable 9 months?
" But today, much of the dirty work is done by lawyers".
That should tease you enough to check. Try this one...Warning it will upset your stomach.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/yes_vote_fraud_real_B5KsHFqcgUjYJCivnI6IuN

if we had a national voter ID law, we'd have a different president in the white house right now!

No, Fatty. We wouldn't. Barack Obama won fair and square. Get over it, loser.

Did Fatty and Aron just wake up from a drunken stupor? The last previous comments on this issue were made on October 30, 2012!

Oh, I know Tom. I got a notification that Fathead had replied in such a timely manner, and I felt the need to put him right.

Be well!

Who wouldn't want a voter ID system in place and why? Makes no sense at all to not want to allow any fraud unless that's wanted.

Show me your papers!

Was there was no better proof of voter fraud than than last elections foolishness?

Are all the Catholics in hiding today?

They should also require ID's to get into a bar. That way we would never again have anyone under 21 in a bar.

Military Absentee Ballots Delivered One Day Late, Would Have Swung Election For Romney...

This argument is weak... I've experienced this many times and Never received an explanation or an answer.
Every time I voted absentee none of my deployed votes ever made it...This last one took the prize, and probably the most egregious and disgusting of them all.
I have not been served. Then lied to, insulted and then ignored. I have a feeling this military mess is not the only example of major MAJOR election fraud. The voters have been miss served. This surpasses corruption.
If your getting a smirk on your face when you read this you are the problem. If it pisses you off good. Support the ID at the ballot.

If a simple act like showing an ID we already have, that can be produced on request for proof who you are, and will help solve this BS, then do it.

Read more: http://www.duffelblog.com/2012/11/military-absentee-ballots-delivered-one-day-late-would-have-swung-election-for-romney/#ixzz2M2p4hhB0
Follow us: @theduffelblog on Twitter | duffelblog on Facebook

Jon, I guess you missed the Stat Smith Voter Fraud case.

No kidding John?!... It did make light of a tough issue. Seems like the only way truths can get out. Got you looking which is what it was intended to do.

UPDATE: Duffel Blog link removed - satire. But read the rest.

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2012/11/more-voter-fraud-military-absentee-ballots-not-counted.html

Military votes have been confounded, many just dumped, delayed, ignored, uncounted, and the rest ultimately returned to sender for BS reason.
Ask anyone affected like me and people I know.
While it is true the site is satire, and funny by the way, it exaggerated and probably wouldn't have swung the election either way. But the fraud was real. Combined with the other frauds it is significant. Do the extra research. You'll be appalled.

Why would someone be against this?