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* AP…
A lawmaker panel is expected to hear testimony on a measure that would automatically register Illinoisans to vote when they obtain or renew a driver’s license or state identification card.
The director of elections for Cook County Clerk David Orr is among those due to testify Tuesday in Chicago.
The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers reports there are roughly 7.5 million registered Illinois voters, about 70 percent of those eligible
* Erickson…
Secretary of State Jesse White has not taken a position on the measure while awaiting more details, including whether the change would increase waiting times at driver’s license facilities and boost costs to train employees to be election registrars. […]
State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, sits on the subcommittee that will debate the idea Tuesday at a hearing in Chicago.
He said he is not familiar with the proposal, but said he believes making registration automatic could result in uninformed voters going to the polls.
“If you have to go out of your way to register to vote, you usually have a larger stake in the process. I believe an uninformed voter can actually be harmful to the United States,” Luechtefeld said.
Sen. Luechtefeld’s belief goes all the way back to the founding fathers. It’s been a constant source of tension in our political process.
By the way, California recently became the second state, after Oregon, to enact automatic voter registration into law. From the California Secretary of State…
“Citizens should not be required to opt-in to their fundamental right to vote,” Padilla added. “We do not have to opt-in to other rights, such as free speech or due process. The right to vote should be no different,” Padilla added.
Gov. Rauner has, in the past, supported laws that make it easier to vote or to register, so we’ll see what happens this time around.
* Meanwhile…
Illinois’ next election isn’t until March, but you can go ahead right now and register to vote in it. More the procrastinating type? A new state law says you can now also register right up until, and on, the day of the election, at any precinct.
Republican Rep. Mark Batinick of Plainfield says that’s expensive; judging by how many took advantage of a trail run last year, he says “it would be cheaper for us to send a limousine to the people who are too lazy to register to vote, bring them down to the clerk’s office, have ‘em vote, take ‘em out for a steak dinner.”
Batinick doesn’t want to do away with same-day voter registration; rather, he proposes scaling it back, so there’d be set places for voters to register on election day. His proposal says that in places like the suburban collar counties only one, centralized same-day voter registration location would be required for every hundred thousand residents.
* Rep. Batinick must’ve missed what happened in Chicago last November…
Brett Phillips headed to the polls at Welles Park in the early afternoon on Tuesday, thinking he’d outsmarted the lunchtime crowd of voters.
The joke was on him.
“I got here at 3,” said Phillips, as the clock ticked past 6 p.m. […]
At one point, the line of people waiting just to register — there would be another wait to vote — stretched outside the fieldhouse nearly all the way through the park to Montrose Avenue.
*** UPDATE *** From James P. Allen, the Communications Director at the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners…
Hi Rich,
In Chicago, 3,413 citizens used Election Day Registration at five sites at the Nov. 4, 2014 General Election.
We essentially extended by one day the time we used five early voting sites. Those were all in public buildings. The equipment was already in place. So the total cost was really staffing for an extra day. The staff downtown would have been here in either case, so there were no costs associated with this site. The approximate cost, if I calculate it on the high end, was $7,000.
That works out to $2.05 per voter who used Election Day Registration.
Best,
Jim
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:15 am
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“Sen. Luechtefeld’s belief goes all the way back to the founding fathers.”
While I’m sure the founders were lovely fellas, they also thought that women and non-white voters would “actually be harmful to the United States.”
They were wrong.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:21 am
“If you have to go out of your way to register to vote, you usually have a larger stake in the process. I believe an uninformed voter can actually be harmful to the United States,” Luechtefeld said.
Holy crap - AND who decides what is a safe, informed citizen?
You either believe in democracy, or you don’t.
Anyone making claims that we have to screen out citizens eligible to vote, (besides convicts), is on the wrong side of history and are going to look bad to voters.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:24 am
I think automatic voter registration is a great idea, and I think everyone should have to show the drivers license or id card in order to vote.
Comment by Jaded Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:25 am
Jaded, you stole my post! Just kidding. But seriously - that’s exactly how I feel.
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:26 am
The easier the better. It increases the diversity of the voting body. Will more registered voters translate into more Democratic voters? No, I highly doubt it. Apathy is such a powerful force. I think Republicans should not worry. I still think we should do it.
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:26 am
Registration is already easy, but they can make it easier if they want.
The voter list maintenance is what needs to really be tougher. Give me some of each and we have a deal.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:27 am
Trying to bar “uninformed voters” is quite a slippery slope. I mean, everyone thinks at least 40% of the voters are idiots (though we disagree on which ones).
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:27 am
It is pretty dependabe that you can do damage to any legislative proposal with three words, “in california, they…”.
Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:28 am
Luetchfeld’s argument fails to recognize that you also have to “go out of your way” to _actually vote_. For what it’s worth, I was one of the not-so-bright people who got in line at Welles Park at 3pm on Election Day. Thanks to the Quinn campaign for the coffee…
Comment by Notorious RBG Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:28 am
I think making registration should be easier, but I also think to protect the integrity of each person’s vote there should be more stringency in proving who you are and your eligibility to vote. I am always left shaking my head when all I do is state my name and I get a ballot handed to me.
Comment by Shemp Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:35 am
Langhorne, that is so true. Experienced that a lot when I was a staffer.
Dave, I love you man but you’re wrong on this one. We already have uninformed voters going to the polls. Look at how many union voters now regret their low information vote for Rauner. The problem with criticizing uninformed voters is that those disagreeing with you are usually the problem while everyone in support are righteous.
P.S. If you are really worried about it, there are some old Jim Crow laws that may be helpful.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:36 am
The “founding fathers” were against voting rights for just about everybody, including the great majority of adult white males.
Easier. Tne “uninformed voter” is the one who votes for the other candidate.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:38 am
To the post. I like the idea with the obvious point that immigrant licenses be exempted.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:39 am
== I think automatic voter registration is a great idea, and I think everyone should have to show the drivers license or id card in order to vote. ==
When it’s free and convenient to get an ID card, I’ll agree with this assessment. Until then, it’s a poll tax in good intentioned clothing.
Comment by thunderspirit Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:39 am
Democrats want state id’s and driver’s licenses as automatic registration vehicles. Nothing is said about FOID card registration, which likely would favor Republicans. People are supposedly asked if they want to register to vote at driver’s license facilities. Apparently, democrats feel that asking is not enough so they want to make it mandatory because their supporters can’t say yes when asked.
Comment by Muscular Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:39 am
Jaded- my only issue with having to show your drivers license or State issued ID card to vote is there is a fee charged to get a DL or ID card. No one should have to pay anything to vote.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:42 am
Define “informed.” If I watch one debate for each party, am I informed? What if I didn’t watch any of them, but I went to each of the websites of the candidates? What if I only spent 20 minutes total researching the candidates - is that enough? What if I spent 50 hours researching them, is that better? What is proper research? Do I need to read up on foreign policy or state fiscal policy in order to determine what the “best” policy is to determine who I should support? Can I go with gut instinct? What if I prayed about it and believe that I received divine inspiration on who is the best candidate; is that enough?
Basically, VMan is completely correct. So are the commenters who note that “registering” is not at all the same as “voting.”
Comment by Katiedid Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:42 am
Muscular makes a good point in the FOID card registration. Should be an easy compromise if they want everyone to register.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:43 am
==When it’s free and convenient to get an ID card, I’ll agree with this assessment. Until then, it’s a poll tax in good intentioned clothing. ==
We’re talking about automatically registering people when they GET ID. Anyway, how is it possible to exist in today’s world without an ID?
Comment by Excessively Rabid Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:44 am
===Define “informed.”===
Everyone who agrees with me is informed. Everyone who disagrees with me is uninformed. Simple.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:47 am
I don’t believe the new law is structured so as to allow people to register to vote on election day at “any precinct” but rather so as to allow them to register at the precinct that serves their home address. This might be a source of confusion for people who wait until the last minute.
Comment by titan Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:49 am
Uninformed and informed voters are easy to define. An uninformed voter is someone who doesn’t vote the same way I do. And informed voter is someone who does vote the same way I do.
Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:49 am
“I am always left shaking my head when all I do is state my name and I get a ballot handed to me.”
Nope.
In Illinois, you also sign an Application to Vote. The election judges then compare that signature to your signature on your voter registration to confirm that you are that person.
10 ILCS 5/4-22 (in part): “The judges in charge of the precinct registration files shall compare the signature upon such certificate with the signature on the registration record card as a means of identifying the voter. Unless satisfied by such comparison that the applicant to vote is the identical person who is registered under the same name, the judges shall ask such applicant the questions for identification which appear on the registration card, and if the applicant does not prove to the satisfaction of a majority of the judges of the election precinct that he is the identical person registered under the name in question then the vote of such applicant shall be challenged by a judge of election, and the same procedure followed as provided by law for challenged voters.”
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:50 am
Dave Luechtefeld, taking a proud stand amongst racists, sexists, and classists everywhere!
==- Muscular - Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:39 am:==
You have to have a valid DL or state ID to get a FOID card, so you would already be registered under this proposal.
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:52 am
Here’s my question to people who question requiring the use of an ID - who in the heck doesn’t have an ID?! You have to have an ID for everything.
Also - as with any other facet of government - I’m fine with essentially giving away an ID. Those who can’t afford it should be able to secure one from the SOS office for nothing.
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:52 am
Anyone making claims that we have to screen out citizens eligible to vote, (besides convicts), is on the wrong side of history and are going to look bad to voters. - Vanillaman
Just wanted to point out the fact that convicted felons do not lose their right to vote in The State of Illinois.
Comment by Otto Didact Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:55 am
‘’he believes making registration automatic could result in uninformed voters going to the polls.'’
God forbid we ever have uninformed voters…
Comment by Outsider Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:56 am
MrJM,
You stole my thunder.
Heck, we could always follow Georgia’s lead, require a photo ID and then close the DMV’s where the less affluent people live.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:56 am
Easier registration doesn’t mean a whole lot if only a small percentage of registered voters take advantage of their right.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:58 am
==Nothing is said about FOID card registration==
‘Cause nothing needs to be said. Does anyone have a FOID card without a DL or SID?
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 11:08 am
== MrJM - “In Illinois, you also sign an Application to Vote. The election judges then compare that signature to your signature on your voter registration to confirm that you are that person.”
It didn’t happen that way in St. Claire County office during early voting, you walk up to the counter tell them your name and they handed us ballots and we went to the voting machine and voted… That was appealable, anyone can go in if they have a list and vote in place of whom ever in early voting. I even asked if they need to verify anything, they said no we can’t… This type of action needs to be corrected, I wrote a scathing letter about this experience at the time but never heard back at all. par for the coarse.
Comment by Allen D Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 11:14 am
The issue is not the ease of registration it is verification of who they are, and where they live and if they meet legal requirements so that an honest election can be held.
A free photo ID, verification of address, from the state that verifies one is legally eligible to vote is the answer and quite reasonable.
Everything else is political garbage from either side of the aisle.
Comment by Federalist Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 11:19 am
Wow! Who thinks democracy benefits from citizens voting like its a reality TV show. Go read anything on democracy and a disengaged citizen is always a bad thing. So your proposing that it is too hard for anyone to go to the polls and vote on election day. If that is too much of an effort, how much energy have they put into choosing a candidate? Voting in itself is not the goal. I agree that there are uninformed voters now, but making it so easy to vote only increases the number of uninformed citizens voting, thinking that voting is the goal rather than being an engaged citizen being the goal and voting is one of the actions an engaged citizen can do to be part of a healthy democracy.
Comment by Dudeman Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 11:19 am
=== Anyone making claims that we have to screen out citizens eligible to vote, (besides convicts), is on the wrong side of history and are going to look bad to voters. ===
=== Trying to bar “uninformed voters” is quite a slippery slope. ===
Nobody has proposed barring “uninformed” people from registering to vote or voting. The question posed is if people should automatically be registered to vote when obtaining a new license or ID card… not should the DMV conduct a litmus test to determine how informed you are.
As @Muscular rightfully points out that people are already asked at the DMV if they want to register, is it such a barrier to say yes? I don’t buy into the argument that by not automatically registering those that say no is a return to days where women and blacks could not vote. I think everyone should vote, but if someone says no, I don’t think it’s so beneficial to society that they vote. Those that say no are very likely to be less informed citizens — to argue otherwise is kinda silly.
Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 11:20 am
I could agree with Luetchtefeld if our campaigns centered around real debate on issues that impact the public.
Our parties make a mockery of our elections. They make it so you have to go out of your way to actually be informed. The parties have no interest in having a truly informed public, so I have to pass on Coach’s argument.
Our elections are mostly based on fear and slander, not information. We have a President who is anti-american and comptroller who is pro-sex offender. It’s a joke.
Comment by Lil Squeezy Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 11:21 am
Team Sleep - many Seniors do not have valid ID’s anymore. And cannot provide the proof that will satisfy the requirements post 9/11.
Comment by hakuna matata Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 11:27 am
“It didn’t happen that way in St. Claire County office during early voting”
Interesting because early voting is the only time an election official can ask for an ID. Generally, early voting sites have far more precincts than normal polling places and need to verify your address to find the correct ballot. Unless your name is Kwame Raoul, chances are there will be two or more people with the same name in your township.
Comment by Springfieldish Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 11:29 am
So I need a photo ID to exercise my constitutional right to bear arms and apply for an FOID card, but not to exercise my constitutional right to vote?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 11:30 am
Easier.
Comment by Biker Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 11:32 am
What Hakuna Matata said. My father being one of them.
Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 11:32 am
Sounds like a “poll tax” on the right to bear arms, but not the right to vote.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 11:38 am
“Sen. Luechtefeld’s belief goes all the way back to the founding fathers. ”
What founding fathers? The Illinois Constitution of 1818 Art. II, Sec. 27 provided,
“In all elections, all white male inhabitants above the age of 21 years, having resided in the state six months next preceding the election, shall enjoy the right of an elector; but no person shall be entitled to vote except in the county or district in which he shall actually reside at the time of the election.”
Comment by Bigtwich Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 11:40 am
Uninformed voters? You mean the Southern Illinoisans who voted 2 -1 for Rauner and then found out that magic is not a budget plan?
Comment by Dr. X Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 12:07 pm
Being in Colorado now, they have same day registration. They don’t have automatic registration, but it was part of the driver’s license process. (”Do you want to register to vote?” “Yes.” Done.) They also have vote by mail.
Got my ballot today. I can either mail it in, drop it off at a special bin, or I can just vote in person.
It’s great.
Comment by jerry 101 Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 12:11 pm
@jerry,
Sounds good as this would have photo and address but what is the verification process conducted by the state?
Comment by Federalist Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 12:14 pm
=== Sen. Luechtefeld’s belief goes all the way back to the founding fathers. ===
Rich -
With all due respect, this core principle of the GOP goes all the way back to Plato’s Republic.
It’s why we had literacy and poll taxes in the early U.S., not to mention requirements of property ownership.
And it is a ridiculous assertion to be made by any member of the General Assembly, particularly one who is taking his marching orders from one voter and one voter only — who does not even reside in his district.
Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 12:40 pm
Strict registration and photo ID check at the voting booth.
Also clean up the voter lists.
Voting is privilege and duty - not a add-on when you get a drivers license.
Comment by Cannon649 Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 12:55 pm
===hakuna matata - Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 11:27 am:
Team Sleep - many Seniors do not have valid ID’s anymore.===
I call BS. This is the least difficult group to get to register to vote.
Comment by A guy Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 1:10 pm
“I believe an uninformed voter can actually be harmful to the United States,” Luechtefeld said.
Since a servey proved that FOX news veiwers are less informed than people who do not watch any news, I look forward to Senator Luechtefeld’s legislation to weed out those voters.
Comment by BeenThereB4 Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 1:16 pm
“Sounds like a “poll tax” on the right to bear arms, but not the right to vote.”
When the right to bear arms gets an amendment against poll tax similar to the 24th amendment, then your comment will have merit.
Comment by a drop in Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 1:21 pm
“Voting is privilege and duty…”
Voting is LITERALLY a right. (U.S. Const. amend. XV, XIX and XXIV)
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 1:42 pm
Rich
Your quote from Jim Allen is for the costs when it was only at specific sites in a jurisdiction-pilot program from November 14. Under PA-1171, jurisdictions of their size will now have to offer same day registration at each polling place.
Comment by TRL WGN 1 Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 1:44 pm
Guy, you’re missing the point. The issue for seniors isnt registering — odds are they’ve been registered fo some time. It’s producing valid photo ID at the polls.
If you think that’s BS, try the google.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 1:45 pm
As a Precinct Committeeman and Deputy Registrar, I have mixed feelings on this.
I want the privilege to vote to be as easy, open and accessible as possible. I have never missed voting even in off year and local ( and largely uncontested ) races for the past 45 years.
As a Committeeman, I am provided a list from the County Clerk of the 600 or more registered voters in my Precinct. Some of them I have known all my life and when I moved back 20 plus years ago and became involved I still knew almost all the registered voters. Both me and my “opposing” Committeeman are wondering who some of the registered voters are. Many have probably been registered by the SoS when moving and changing their licenses. I do not necessarily see this as a problem, but the majority of those registered by the SoS rarely, if ever vote.
We both know the homeowners and farmers, but the renters and more transient residents are on the voters list, and who could remain on the list for 10 years present a bit of a problem.
They are certainly entitled to vote, but when the County Clerks open early voting and same day registration prior to the elections ( not on election day ) I do not see this as being that much of a problem. Those who feel compelled to vote have their opportunity and have probably had the ability to make reasonable and informed decisions.
Guess I could continue rambling, but I have work to do before the Cards and Cubs play a little later today!
Comment by illini Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 1:47 pm
A guy - Don’t really care if you believe me. Skeptic even says his father is one. I have worked with several seniors over the last few years that can’t get the proper identification for a “valid” drivers license. They may have their old one, but if they don’t drive and didn’t renew in time. Won’t have one anymore.
Comment by hakuna matata Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 1:48 pm
Call whatever or whoever you want, it’s still true.
Nearly one in five citizens over 65 — about 8 million — lacks a current, government-issued photo ID, a 2006 Brennan Center study found. Most people prove their eligibility to vote with a driver’s license, but people over 65 often give up their license and don’t replace it with the state-issued ID that some states offer non-driving residents. In addition, people over 65 also are more likely to lack birth certificates because they were born before recording births was standard procedure. http://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/legacy/d/download_file_39242.pdf http://www.npr.org/2012/01/28/146006217/why-new-photo-id-laws-mean-some-wont-vote
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 1:55 pm
Rich, I have a question. Why are convicts not allowed to vote? Do other states allow convicts to vote? It makes no sense not to let them vote.
Comment by Mama Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 2:27 pm
Someone needs to explain why making it easier to register and to vote seems to be a Democratic value, while making it harder to do both in the name of ID validation is Republican.
It’s got to be more than purely political. Is it a general confidence versus risk mindset?
Comment by walker Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 2:29 pm
Automatic voters registration make a lot of sense when one renews his/her license. All of the necessary info is on their driver’s license. The name & # of their voting district could be added to their driver’s license.
Comment by Mama Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 2:31 pm
==- Just Observing - Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 11:20 am:==
I have never been asked at the SoS if I wanted to register to vote.
==- Cannon649 - Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 12:55 pm:==
Voting is a right.
==- Mama - Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 2:27 pm:==
ACLU: “Illinois: People in prison cannot vote. Everyone else can vote.”
https://www.aclu.org/map/state-criminal-re-enfranchisement-laws-map
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 2:38 pm
Can they vote after they get out of prison?
Comment by Mama Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 2:46 pm
++- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 2:38 pm:.++ Thanks for the info..
Comment by Mama Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 2:51 pm
To the original post - my Father will soon be 94, has not had a valid Illinois Drivers License ( or official State ID ) for years, but has voted absentee in every election these past 10 years.
I’m not certain what these proposed changes are intending to accomplish or what the intent of the changes actually are, but I hope they will be given a fair hearing.
Many of the smaller Counties ( including mine ) do not have access to an online data base that would facilitate quicker, and immediate registration, or transfer of registration.
So will the State make this program available to all Counties ( at no cost to them ) or will this become an unfunded mandate???? Or will some Counties be treated different or better than others??? Does not appear to be equitable as things now stand!
Comment by illini Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 3:20 pm
===Anyway, how is it possible to exist in today’s world without an ID?===
A study in 2012 found that over 10 percent of the US population is have no ID. That works out to millions of people.
For details see: http://www.npr.org/2012/01/28/146006217/why-new-photo-id-laws-mean-some-wont-vote
In a Texas court case it came out that about 600,000 registered Texas voters could not provide ID’s.
For details see: http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/how-many-voters-were-disenfranchised-texass-id-law
The groups least likely to have a government-issued ID are reported to be: the elderly, minorities, the poor, and young adults aged 18 to 24.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 3:32 pm
While I would like to see voter registration made as easy and accessible as possible, I am concerned that we are able to verify that people actually have the right to vote (citizenship) and that they vote in the state, district, ward, etc.. that they actually live in. When I vote for say my alderman, I don’t want to find out that my vote was negated another voter who lives elsewhere. Whatever system is used, I want residency and right to vote to be ensured.
Comment by Buddy Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 4:10 pm
As an election judge, I find that a lot of voters, especially the younger ones, do want to vote responsibly but they have questions. They are often worried that undervotes will spoil their ballots, but theydon’t want to vote in races they know nothing about (library district trustees, judges, regional superintendents, etc.). I wonder how many actually stay away altogether because of something like this? Maybe general voter education needs to be better.
But though I often think we should promote the attitude that responsible voting is the very least one can do in the way of civic duty, the absolute minimum, voting is a right and if a procedure involves a barrier we must remove it. An automatic i.d. requirement looks like a barrier to me.
Comment by yinn Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 4:25 pm
On 9/11/2001, 19 non-citizens attacked the USA. 8 were registered voters. America lost its way when it handed over voting privileges to non-citizens. People that want to destroy us have a voice in who develops and implements our laws. Making it easier for people to register when they have no right to do so is insane! Give free IDs to all citizens. Let the citizens vote. Don’t let people out to kill us have a voice in how our democratic republic moves forward!
Comment by We're Doomed Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:00 pm
WD, you’re repeating baseless nonsense from vote suppression prankster John Fund that was debunked years ago, But thanks for playing.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 13, 15 @ 10:28 pm