The day after the U.S. Supreme Court said it was OK to require voters to show proof of their identity at the polls, a bill that would mandate the same practice in Oklahoma was mothballed for this session. Go figure.
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Sen. John Ford, R-Bartlesville, waved the white flag after being peppered with questions from Democrats who, like their brethren on the national level, view voter ID requirements as onerous toward minorities, the poor and older voters — that is, toward folks who usually vote Democratic. You'd think the party that screamed fraud after the presidential elections of 2000 and 2004 would favor common-sense efforts to reduce the possibility of that occurring, but no.
In its ruling on Indiana's voter ID law, the Supreme Court said it's a stretch to argue that the requirement is an undue burden on voters. Indiana makes voters show photo identification such as a driver's license or passport, and makes free IDs available to nondrivers. Those who don't have a photo ID are allowed to cast provisional ballots that are counted if the voter turns up at the county courthouse a few days later with proper identification.
Under Ford's legislation, valid ID would include not just a driver's license or passport, but a voter identification card, a state identification card, a photocopy of a current utility bill, a bank statement, a government check, a paycheck, or other government or tribal document that has the voter's name and address. Hard to believe anyone would have trouble meeting those criteria.
Requirements regarding absentee balloting had some members concerned, and there may indeed need to be some tweaking to that language. But that should be easy enough to remedy. Ford said he didn't think he had the votes he needed, "and it's very important that it pass.” He's right about that.
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If a person can get to a voting booth to vote they can get to a tag office and get an ID card and to the resistration office to register to vote. And if want to exercise their right to vote tthey can do this at their liesure in the monmths before an election not the same day.
Voter identification requirements are a costly solution without a problem. Where is the evidence that Oklahoma voters engage in voter impersonation? The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law found: "Fraud by individual voters is a singularly foolish way to attempt to win an election." The simple reason - Severe penalties in state and federal law - fines up to $10,000 and up to five years in prison.
Who would be impacted and why does it seem particular factions and corporate interests push Jim Crow 2.0? Eleven percent of Americans surveyed in a recent study do not have government-issued photo ID, such as driver's licenses or state-issued non-driver's photo ID. Studies show these new requirements would target and disproportionately impact women, the elderly, students, people with disabilities, lower income people and people of color.
Some legislators are willing to waste time and taxpayer money pretending to fix a nonexistent problem that attacks the most needy among us. Why? They would rather discourage and disenfranchise 1000's of citizens to win elections while feigning outrage at a fake boogeyman.
Robert: How many instances of fraud have been documented in this state? As for Sherlene, you just keep on truckin'! What is great about this country is that even Sherlene has the right to express her opinion and vote. I wonder how many times she has actually excercised that right...
Sherlene, Calm down and get that GED you so obviously need. The tone of your posting rages with hate and feeds the fire of intolerance and bigotry. I will personally pay your moving expenses to Arkansas or Mississippi where you belong. Even a trip up the turnpike to Tulsa would be a win-win situation. There you could have that backyard bunker you dream of, stocked with canned food, guns, ammo, and the latest copy of the Enquirer. Sorry, but you are one twisted mind.
Sherlene - After the 1968 Democrat Convention in Chicago top democrats decided you people are too stupid to vote on your own so they have to decide for you.
If voter fraud is so rare, what's the problem with preventing it? Fraud had been the democrats bread and butter for decades - of course they oppose the Supreme Court ruling.
I think that everyone should have to show a picture ID to vote. There are too many illegal immigrants here now who will influence the Presidential Election. I also think that is the reason it was shelved! Our Govenor endorced Barack Obama against the people's votes. I mean how hard is it for you to prove who you are? It is just another protection, by the State to get all of the illegal votes they can, and our Govenor is proving to be an elitist just like Obama. He will need all of the illegal votes he can. We put a hault to path to citizenship plan twice and we will do it again. What kind of Govenor do we have that goes against the peoples vote to back someone for President who has followers!? And is being called the messiah!
Check this out.
http://obamamessiah.blogspot.com/
Do a story on it.
Concerned: I am arguing that people have the right to vote, and that the present system works well. My argument is AGAINST the need for an ID law. Fraud as you outlined (someone presenting fake ID) is rare, if it occurs at all. If it does occur, statistically, it has little or no bearing on an election outcome. The current system of registration works now and has worked for years.
The Supreme Court ruling that ID's are constitutional just shows what a joke they are. Republicans like to make it harder to vote, especially for the poor. We are not even close to living by the constitution in this country. Next thing, Bush and his cronies will want a tattoo for all of us.
Jay, I'm unsure why you think my scenario is highly unlikely. I want to vote whether I drive or not. If I don't have a DL, I would be required to use another form of ID. ANd just because I'm of voting age, doesn't mean I get a utility bill in my name. These people may not be statitically significant in your eyes, but they still have the right to cast a vote whether they are 1 in a million voters or 10% of the population.
Concerned, Central Oklahoma - May 6, 2008 10:40 AM
Is there enough fraud to find this legislation necessary? If it is that easy to prove who you are, then that won't change the amount of fraud. It seems like this is just another feel good piece of work.
The use of alternate IDs - utility bills, answers the potentai lviolation of the 24th amendment that would come if only gov't issued IDs are used (IDs that cost money to obtain). The real questions is is how rampant is voter fraud. In the scenario put forth by Concerned is not only highly unlikely (who is going to that much trouble to cast a vote) but statistically not relevent. Of more concern is the quality of voting machines. At least Oklahoma's machines leave a paer record.
Concerned -- utility bills at least ensure that the person who is casting the vote is probably alive (which would be an improvement upon the status quo).
I think an ID requirement to vote is a good idea, but it does need thorough consideration of all elements before it's passed into law & put in practice. For example, I'd like to know how using the proposed alternate documents for identification without a picture ID works. For instance, a utility bill/bank statement/check stub/car tag renewal notice (a govm't doc)/etc. in my spouse's/parent's/sibling's/roommate's names would prove I'm who I say I am, how? It seems to me many people who do not have a driver's license (costing $21.50) or state photo ID (costing $10.00) would likely live with another person & may not get utility bills in their names. And how do the poll workers know that the utility bill or alternate document that I've just shown them to prove who I am wasn't picked from the trash of people in the neighborhood? Would I have to bring 2 matching ones to prove who I am? (Or even who I want to be?)
Its hard for some people to break old habits such as voting fraud. Its unfortunate Ford tucked his tail between his legs instead of acting like a man who had a pair to reduce fraud in our democratic process.
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Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
Who would be impacted and why does it seem particular factions and corporate interests push Jim Crow 2.0? Eleven percent of Americans surveyed in a recent study do not have government-issued photo ID, such as driver's licenses or state-issued non-driver's photo ID. Studies show these new requirements would target and disproportionately impact women, the elderly, students, people with disabilities, lower income people and people of color.
Some legislators are willing to waste time and taxpayer money pretending to fix a nonexistent problem that attacks the most needy among us. Why? They would rather discourage and disenfranchise 1000's of citizens to win elections while feigning outrage at a fake boogeyman.
Check this out.
http://obamamessiah.blogspot.com/
Do a story on it.
Those who count the votes decide everything."