Dems are screaming about this tactic which sez the Republicans are trying to "disenfranchise" the young, the poor, the old, people who speak English as 2nd lang ( or don't speak it all ) as categories of people who don't have photo ID driver's license.
Now, I'm not gonna talk about validity of this "tactic" either way, but I am puzzled about something. I've had driver's license for over 40
years & being honest, largely have voted for Deomcratic candidates during that time.
If someone doesn't or can't drive, ok, but if one is a committed voter, what's the BFD about getting a photo ID card from the DMV ? Isn't it practical to have a photo ID card anyway ? What does one need to get a photo ID from the DMV ? 2 pieces of ID ( Birth certificate & SS card ? )
I'm a bit puzzled about this, so feedback would be welcome.
It also makes it rather difficult to vote after you are dead. lol
I am sure that WW has a different take on this, but does anybody really give a fuck what he has to say on the subject? I know I don't. lol
Seriously, you raise a valid point. You would think everyone would have a ID since you need it to open a bank account, cash a check, drive a car, board an airplane, etc. Per the Dems, this law is targeting students, minorities, elderly, and recently divorced women (name change). Think about it, they pretty much vote for Democrats. Estimates put the number @ 5M voters, not a small number.
I can't seem to find valid reasons against the law, other than Dems claim the law will disenfranchise the above named groups by making it harder for them to vote.
Obviously getting a valid ID appears to be a major roadblock for Dem voters.
-- Modified on 10/19/2011 5:49:13 PM
"You would think everyone would have a ID since you need it to open a bank account, cash a check, drive a car, board an airplane, etc." What constitutes a "valid" form of ID can be different for opening a bank account, cashing a check, driving a car, board a plane, from that which is required to vote in differing electoral precincts across the country. In a highly mobile society, say like with college students, there can be some difficulty navigating the laws regarding obtaining drives licenses or voter ID's in the voting district where they are attending school, and having them, and or their school residence be deemed valid when attempting to vote. Not an expert on the issue, but have heard the problem voiced by people I've met, who have run into such difficulty.
While the post has numerous points that can be argued in opposing fashion, unfortunately the above is not one. College kids can do just like I did when I was in college, and just like any other normal registered voter who is living and or working away from their home base. They can get off their lazy behinds, take an active role in society, and vote by mail.
Its unfortunate but my non-companion business does require me to travel. And on occasion I am not in town for local or even once a national election. Its not difficult it just requires an extra hour of your time.
This is how our Military does it as well. In 2008 there were over 30 million early and absentee votes. I am not here to argue the validity of the votes cast or the suspicions of voter fraud. Only stating that mobile or not, voting is not difficult.
College Students have a right to vote in the district they live in. Being a student does not mean you are not a resident of the area, even if your residence is the college dorm. As long as they meet the residency requirements of that state. (That can be as short as 10 days to up to 30 days).
The first day of school, they go to the DMV and say, "I am a resident of this state. I need to drive. I need a license." They get it.
Even if they can't get it in time, they can still vote in their state of prior residence. Absentee ballots are simple to get.
If you are in college and can't figure out how to get ID, there is something wrong with the admissions office that let in an idiot.
But even if something is wrong with admissions, the students have a right to vote! Even if they don't belong in college!
Voter ID is the 21st Century version of the Jim Crow laws!
It has nothing to do with voter fraud, and everything to do with voter suppression.
I heard an interview today with election official in a state that has implemented voter ID requirements. He has asked if he ever had anyone vote under a false name. His reply, "No, not ever".
So why does the GOP keep looking for nonexistent problems? Could it be that by suppressing a small percentage of voters they may be able sway close races in their favor?
How does the person interviewed, an election official, know if someone voted illegally? If he knew he would have stopped it. If someone came who was illegal, and he didn't know, the fact that he thinks no one voted under a false name is his lack of knowledge. Not the lack of existence of the problem.
Who cannot get a valid ID in a very short time?
Anyone who would oppose such a basic concept is basically a thief who wants to steal elections. You need Id to buy liquor, cigarettes, get into some businesses and drive, but not to vote?
That is just f@@king moronic!!
Remember going to vote. The little old man or lady volunteer who looked you up on their voting registry? I've had several incidences where they couldn't find me, but with much persistence on my part, they did. Now, imagine the same little old man or lady saying, I don't think that picture looks much like you. Or, that ID looks suspicious to me. I'm not going to approve you to vote. You know what. They would be wrong. And, won't know what their motives might be, or if it's just an honest error. And, later you will not doubt be deemed as a legitimate voter, but you will still not have voted. The more obstacles there are, to keep someone from voting, the easier it is to deny the right for someone to vote, purely on subjective criterion.
against the demographics listed in my OP.
Couldn't the Dems circumvent this by having a drive or campaign to get these folks picture ID's ?
This whole thing mystifies me.
and had to get a replacement ID because I was going to be flying on a mini-vacation. It took about five days in CA to get a state issued ID.
Full disclosure - because I needed it ASAP, I had to push for a rush job and fax info to Sacto, but I got it. If I had been able to wait 10 days, it would have come in the normal course of affairs.
The truth is that almost everyone has ID already, since they cash checks etc. There is only one reason to not require fraud proof ID IN ANY AREA and that is fraud.
Now, I'm not gonna talk about validity of this "tactic" either way, but I am puzzled about something. I've had driver's license for over 40
years & being honest, largely have voted for Deomcratic candidates during that time.
If someone doesn't or can't drive, ok, but if one is a committed voter, what's the BFD about getting a photo ID card from the DMV ? Isn't it practical to have a photo ID card anyway ? What does one need to get a photo ID from the DMV ? 2 pieces of ID ( Birth certificate & SS card ? )
I'm a bit puzzled about this, so feedback would be welcome.
Just because you have a photo ID, does not automatically mean it will be accepted as being valid. The person inspecting it can deny it as being valid for numerous reasons, like they don't think you look enough like the picture on the ID, or they believe it's a fake. I've personally known people, mostly women of course, who when trying to buy liquor or get drinks in a bar, nightclub or restaurant, were turned down, despite having a valid photo ID. In those cases, those were honest mistakes. Now, if someone doesn't want you to vote, they can claim to same, and you will not vote, even if you can prove later that your ID is valid.
Second point, is voter fraud that big of an issue when stacked up against voter suppression. I would like to see both of them eliminated. However, if you don't prevent voter suppression, which includes any means to make it more difficult to vote in one precinct than another, then using the means to reduce voter registration and voting fraud is just another tool for voter suppression.
...even though she's been voting since the days of Jim Crow.
...implementing their new voter fraud law even though there have not been any cases of voter fraud in S.C. for a decade.
the Republicans for.
And, in due time, the Republicans will come up with something stupid to blame the Dems for.
It's all just bullshit politics.
But the claim that you don't need a photo ID -- which almost all adults have to have to survive in the current commerce of the United States -- in order to vote is laughable.
I don't see how the Dems can even argue this with a straight face. There are much bigger issues out there.