Yeah, Illinois is sure turning out great. It will be a failed state in 10 years.
Certianly not Kansas, with Kobach as Attorney general.
Interesting to note that some of those advocating mandatory voting also are among those who decry sensible and effective voter-ID laws. Obviously, you couldn't have a system of mandatory voting without such laws. It will be fun to watch such people, who typically consider themselves "pro-choice", tie themselves in knots trying to explain that irresolvable conflict.
But it's a theoretical discussion in any case. Mandatory voting isn't going to happen, because it's against the best interests of too many politicians.
But it's a theoretical discussion in any case. Mandatory voting isn't going to happen, because it's against the best interests of too many politicians.
I can easily imagine that anyone who lives within 50 miles of a flooded area, will be declared ineligible to vote for the next ten years. After all, such people might vote irrationally, they might forget all the soothing prayers made on their behalf by Vice-President Pence, Joel Osteen, Jim Bakker and others, and start harping about how they deserve government handouts. This minor rain storm that came in off the gulf has clouded their little minds, and rendered them self-pitying. Maybe, land itself should get some voting rights. I think any cattleman who runs his herd on a hundred square mile patch of land, should have the right to vote 640,000 times, one vote for each acre. Now we're talking about the greatness of America. Go Trump 2020, Go Trump One Trillion AD. Just wait until I explain these patriotic ideas to our beloved President. He will not only start smiling, he might even step over, and give me a pat on the back.
The solution is necessarily automatic voter registration ( although it is a massive first step towards fuller participation is deciding all of our futures )
The solution is mandatory voting ( preferably by paper ballot via mail ) The very least being, that there should be a national day off on election day.
Even with incredibly popular and once in a generation candidates like President Barack Obama and you get voter turnout of about 60%.
That needs to change
The solution is mandatory voting ( preferably by paper ballot via mail ) The very least being, that there should be a national day off on election day.
Even with incredibly popular and once in a generation candidates like President Barack Obama and you get voter turnout of about 60%.
That needs to change
2
Why?
What are Republicans afraid of? Trump pretends to be a populist as do the tea party people. Hasn't a Republican mantra for years been about taking responsibility? Voters are those who are ultimately responsible for democracy, not politicians, not Russia and foreign actors, and not officials.
People can sign up to become organ donors when they apply for their driver's license. Becoming a voter would be a good thing.
One of the greatest disgraces of the Roberts Court was gutting the Voting Right Act. The new Jim Crow laws have few justifications.
People can sign up to become organ donors when they apply for their driver's license. Becoming a voter would be a good thing.
One of the greatest disgraces of the Roberts Court was gutting the Voting Right Act. The new Jim Crow laws have few justifications.
1
The first version of the Illinois law, that Rauner vetoed, was terrible, and deserved to be vetoed (although not for the reasons he stated). The law did not give people visiting the DMV the option to opt out from automatic voter registration right then and there. Instead EVERYBODY's data, regardless of their citizenship status, would automatically be transmitted to the Illinois State Board of Elections, to be sorted out there. The only thing that a person could do at the DMV is to refuse to sign a declaration that he/she is a U.S. citizen, and the only way to actually opt out from the automatic voter registration was much later, by mail, after receiving a written notice. That left non-citizens at the mercy of the Illinois bureaucrats, hoping that these bureaucrats would not screw things up and would not erroneously register them to vote against their will (and against the federal law). The problem with this is if a non-citizen is registered to vote, even by mistake, and even against his/her will, the consequences under the federal immigration law for that non-citizen can be quite severe and the federal law (up to possible deportation). In this situation the burden, under federal law, falls on the non-citizen to prove that he/she was not at fault, which could be difficult if not impossible to do in practice. The new law, that Rauner has just signed, is much simpler and more straightforward, and avoids these pitfalls. As usual, the devil is in the details.
Republicans see no problem with exercising the power of the purse in tying Federal dollars - tax dollars the people in the state they are trying to intimidate contributed to - to hold as a sword of Damocles - requiring the state or county or city to comply with totally unrelated and widely rejected federal mandates before they receive badly needed Federal funds for uncontested citizen uses.
Holding federal tax dollars hostage, criminal extortion by the federal government, run rampant against states rights, and the local rights of people to decide if their communities want to be compassionate to immigrants or not. In any other forum, these same people would be crying bloody murder about the feds trying to take over State and local rights.
Hypocrisy, thy name is conservatism, thy leader is Trump.
Holding federal tax dollars hostage, criminal extortion by the federal government, run rampant against states rights, and the local rights of people to decide if their communities want to be compassionate to immigrants or not. In any other forum, these same people would be crying bloody murder about the feds trying to take over State and local rights.
Hypocrisy, thy name is conservatism, thy leader is Trump.
1
When large swaths of The People, Demos, are prohibited from voting, that state or nation no longer qualifies. And generally, as far as I know, it has always been used to sway the ultimate vote toward a specific outcome.
There is not other reason to restrict qualified Americans from casting their rightful vote, other than hateful Racism and other forms of Ostracism.
Isn't this how the Nazis devised the society that they wanted? Weed-out the unionists, then the Socialists, then there Jews, etc/ Where might you fall in their ranking order?
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
There is not other reason to restrict qualified Americans from casting their rightful vote, other than hateful Racism and other forms of Ostracism.
Isn't this how the Nazis devised the society that they wanted? Weed-out the unionists, then the Socialists, then there Jews, etc/ Where might you fall in their ranking order?
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
2
Oregon was the first state to have automatic registration and has had 100% vote by mail since 1998. Voting here couldn't be any easier and our turnout shows how easy it is to encourage voter turnout. In 2014 when voter turnout in the U.S. as a whole was 33.9% in Oregon it was 69.4% and 78.9% in 2016.
4
In an earlier comment I suggested that every person voting in a national election should be subject to the same federal registration rules. I was ridiculed by some who thought I was naive, did not know that votes were not cast directly for the candidate but for an elector to the college.
Once again, deflection and ridicule take the place of logical argument. I did not suggest a vote for the candidate is direct, not subject to the Electoral Colleges out dated system.
I was simply making the valid point that anyone kept from casting any ballot at all was being excluded from the process, any process, any election process, the electoral college process that would result in the seating of a President and of the system seating the Congress. Even the Electoral College members must have a mandate.
Bring it on. Show me where I'm wrong. That people voting, allowed access to the process, should be subject to 50 different standards. Bring it on.
Once again, deflection and ridicule take the place of logical argument. I did not suggest a vote for the candidate is direct, not subject to the Electoral Colleges out dated system.
I was simply making the valid point that anyone kept from casting any ballot at all was being excluded from the process, any process, any election process, the electoral college process that would result in the seating of a President and of the system seating the Congress. Even the Electoral College members must have a mandate.
Bring it on. Show me where I'm wrong. That people voting, allowed access to the process, should be subject to 50 different standards. Bring it on.
3
wonder why many Repulicans think cheating and skullduggary is prevalent in voting matters? Could it be projecting from personal history?
Look around you, really look around you then tell me that everyone should be able to vote. Most people don't have a sufficient stake in this country, myself included, due to their financial status to have a voice in taxing others. John Jay said it best. "The country should be run by those who own it."
2
So when they say "Who should be the judge?, you feel qualified to stand up and say, I will!", or choose those who can, and not think that the very Idea that you think yourself qualified to do that doesn't immediately disqualify you as the judge of everyone else?
3
The more obstacles the GOP puts in the way of the people exercising their most basic democratic right the harsher the judgement will be upon them the day that every American who is eligible to vote can and does. They will not forget who stood in the way of them exercising their democratic right.
3
Illinois is on the verge of bankruptcy, the only lessons you can learn is dont vote Democrat
2
Chicago is Democratic. The rest of the state is a Republican.
So blame goes to....?
So blame goes to....?
1
Illinois was made bankrupt by the Republicans who promised they could run the state better! Ya' sure ya betcha!!!
1
Look at Kansas. That is where the Republican experiment in cutting tax revenue has played out at its most extreme.
Texas is about to be an interesting example also.
Texas is about to be an interesting example also.
1
August 31, 2017
Surely getting the voters to participate is need of a quantum leap of access to offer way beyond the two party fixation that - what - gave us an anti politician inept RNC leadership and is feeble anti historical leader Mr. Trump. Light up the systems with expanding the parties and personalities with standards of civic testing to the matters of the mechanics of our election system - indeed making our choices more robust and with registering the greater imaginations for exercises that are - people power and agenda competence is a can do for modernity's tools properly expressed beginning from our schooling from early education and towards life long enjoyment - for it's about the conversations of truths and directions that self-reforming almost as if a parliamentary flavor to enjoy learning what is possible immediacy justifications to live well, smart, and eternal.....
jja Manhattan, N. Y.
Surely getting the voters to participate is need of a quantum leap of access to offer way beyond the two party fixation that - what - gave us an anti politician inept RNC leadership and is feeble anti historical leader Mr. Trump. Light up the systems with expanding the parties and personalities with standards of civic testing to the matters of the mechanics of our election system - indeed making our choices more robust and with registering the greater imaginations for exercises that are - people power and agenda competence is a can do for modernity's tools properly expressed beginning from our schooling from early education and towards life long enjoyment - for it's about the conversations of truths and directions that self-reforming almost as if a parliamentary flavor to enjoy learning what is possible immediacy justifications to live well, smart, and eternal.....
jja Manhattan, N. Y.
2
If liberals are so concerned about voter ID laws, they should spend their time helping all voters get IDs instead of complaining about it.
3
But then the Republicans would enact some new obstacle. It is gerrymandering plus the voter ID laws that are clearly racist for the most part, plus a host of other tricks (moving voting locations away from minority neighborhoods, closing the usual voting places, limiting the days and hours, etc.) Georgia has been home to a number of tactics, and some GOP politicians have stated that it is to stop blacks from voting.
This article highlights the importance of enabling citizens to easily cast their vote. Trump's "Voter Integrity Commission," plans to create a national voter database with sensitive personal information on every voter that identifies their political affiliation!
What will Kris Kobach, the creator of Crosscheck, a badly designed voter database system that improperly erases many legal voters from the rolls, do with millions of US citizens voter data? Who will have access to this data and for what purpose? This unprecedented national database would have too much personal information on each voter in one place.
Intelligence organizations confirmed Russia hacked our US 2016 Election . A foreign power or its proxies attacked 21 to 39 state voter databases.
How many voters were deleted in various states from the 2016 Voting Rolls by Mr. Kobach's ill-designed Crosscheck? How many voters are in the crosshairs of Kobach's Crosscheck with this Voter Fraud Commission? Will these unsuspecting voters discover they are no longer on the rolls when they go to vote in upcoming elections?
Will the national voter database be shared with datamining organizations such as Cambridge Analyatica that played a prominent role in Trump's 2016 Campaign where it microtargeted voters in swing states?
These issues must be thoroughly investigated to ensure our upcoming elections are free from dirty tricks and voter suppression that blocks legal voters from casting their vote & having it properly counted.
What will Kris Kobach, the creator of Crosscheck, a badly designed voter database system that improperly erases many legal voters from the rolls, do with millions of US citizens voter data? Who will have access to this data and for what purpose? This unprecedented national database would have too much personal information on each voter in one place.
Intelligence organizations confirmed Russia hacked our US 2016 Election . A foreign power or its proxies attacked 21 to 39 state voter databases.
How many voters were deleted in various states from the 2016 Voting Rolls by Mr. Kobach's ill-designed Crosscheck? How many voters are in the crosshairs of Kobach's Crosscheck with this Voter Fraud Commission? Will these unsuspecting voters discover they are no longer on the rolls when they go to vote in upcoming elections?
Will the national voter database be shared with datamining organizations such as Cambridge Analyatica that played a prominent role in Trump's 2016 Campaign where it microtargeted voters in swing states?
These issues must be thoroughly investigated to ensure our upcoming elections are free from dirty tricks and voter suppression that blocks legal voters from casting their vote & having it properly counted.
3
Texas gun permits are accepted as voter IDs because they are state-issued photo IDs that provide proof of U.S. citizenship,Texas residency and age. They also provide proof that the bearer has passed a criminal background. Gun permits are much cheaper ands easier to obtain than college student ID. A gun license cost $140 and you don't have to have a high school diploma or pass the ACT or SAT. A student ID costs you thousands of dollars in tuition, you have to meet minimum enrollment standards and present the same type of ID you would have to present to get a Texas gun license or free voter D.
1
Don't be fooled. Republican lawmakers get the message. It's not the message the Editorial Board rightly sees; it's the opposite message.
1
You'll know insisting on Voter ID is a crisis when, and ONLY when, the food assistance and medical assistance programs are slowed down by clients missing identification. Raise that point around progressives Dems, however, and all you hear is the crickets.
Automatic voter registration would seem to open the door for massive fraudulent voting in places that open the voting period up to weeks before the traditional election day. Thus, it is a big seller in he remaining gulags run by Democrats.
There are literally millions of American with multiple voter registrations. And how big a deal is illegal voting by non-citizen Latinos? More than a few have actually cancelled their registrations to vote because they knew they were breaking the law.
If only American citizens finally are the only voters, it's an open question whether California can remain the lockstep Democrat voter base it has been since the Bush presidents showed up.
Automatic voter registration would seem to open the door for massive fraudulent voting in places that open the voting period up to weeks before the traditional election day. Thus, it is a big seller in he remaining gulags run by Democrats.
There are literally millions of American with multiple voter registrations. And how big a deal is illegal voting by non-citizen Latinos? More than a few have actually cancelled their registrations to vote because they knew they were breaking the law.
If only American citizens finally are the only voters, it's an open question whether California can remain the lockstep Democrat voter base it has been since the Bush presidents showed up.
2
Can't help but notice you didn't mention Oregon is mail in ballot system for voting. Think that may have something to do with it? Have your opinion but don't omit relevant facts even if they don't play to your position. Doesn't seem unreasonable to take some minor action in exercising voting responsibility.
1
There is only one motivation for imposing burdens on voting that are ostensibly designed to discourage voter-impersonation fraud, if there is no actual danger of such fraud, and that is to discourage voting by persons likely to vote against the party responsible for imposing the burdens.
~ Judge Richard Posner, Second Circuit Court of Appeals (Reagan appointment)
~ Judge Richard Posner, Second Circuit Court of Appeals (Reagan appointment)
3
Ask people why they do not vote. You will find similar issues, and, surprisingly, the people don't note, "I am uninformed," as the issue. When people don't know, they vote along party lines. And don't lie. I know that you have done it too. Many argue that the populous has always been uninformed, chronically. No amount of civics classes will change that. Even if you have done your "research" on every candidate (and I know that you don't do research on the candidates for coroner & etc...), chances are that you are uninformed. You may be more informed than your neighbor, but your judgement is often made with a large lack of information. Chances are, you make a lot of value judgements. Why don't people vote? The cost outweighs the benefit. The cost to be semi-informed is time and resources like internet access. The cost to get to the polling location is time and the resource is transportation. People have to take time out of their (work) day to find the polling location, look up the candidates, find transportation, and register. On top of this, their vote makes little difference. In return, they get a sticker. The poor, young, minorities, and those who have frequently moved often do not have the resources or incentive to register, so they don't. How do we end this? Give citizens a greater incentive to vote. End gerrymandering and stop voter suppression tactics like voter-ID. More bureaucratic hoops will only decrease the amount of registered eligible voters.
I don't mind automatic voter registration. What I would like to see is a box added to the bottom of every ballot that allows me to select "none of the above."
1
How do you tell if they are "eligible"? Just trust that they are telling the truth? And for some if you can't be bothered to have an ID and get registered they what is the probability that you will be an informed voter. We don't need any more voters who just vote their selfish interests or by a party line either.
2
Says someone clearly privileged. It is not so simple to get an ID, which is the purpose of these laws. If registration were marketed ecerwhere, and proof of eligibility easily obtained, more would vote. We should notmakr it difficult. Obstacles are like a poll tax: unconstitutional.
1
While I appreciate Illinois lawmakers doing this, it doesn't make me resent them any less for pulling every procedural excuse they could to block our attempt to take redistricting out of their hands.
4
Voter rights are not a bipartisan project in South Carolina, either. Through the Horry County Democratic Party committee, colleagues and I are working hard to change in our local communities. We successfully petitioned the Election Commission in our area to remind voters via a sticker on the envelopes of absentee ballots that they must have a witness's signature for the ballot to be valid. We have put out information for felons who have completed restitution, parole and/or probation that they are eligible to vote along with information on how to register. We are asking that our county Election Commission provide multiple places where people can register to vote and get a free permanent photo ID, such as libraries.
In a county that is larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island, it's unreasonable to allow registration at only DMV and the county commission. Many poor people don't have driver's licenses or other forms of photo ID, so the free permanent ID is the best one to have.
We are doing everything we can to be the party that encourages people to register and to vote, rather than the party that hinders voting and discriminates against voters who are "not our kind."
In a county that is larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island, it's unreasonable to allow registration at only DMV and the county commission. Many poor people don't have driver's licenses or other forms of photo ID, so the free permanent ID is the best one to have.
We are doing everything we can to be the party that encourages people to register and to vote, rather than the party that hinders voting and discriminates against voters who are "not our kind."
5
If only one ineligible voter cancels out my vote....why should I not feel cheated?
4
Please stop praising Rauner, he resisted this every step of the way and only accepted it because the assembly forced it on him. Meanwhile he deadlocked the state without a budget for two years, and most recently held K-12 funding hostage to give a tax break to rich parents who send their kids to private schools.
4
Noble effort but the only real way to fix what ails us is to end gerrymandering and to make voting compulsory. Countries with mandatory voting have less wealth inequality and political corruption.
1
Make voting mandatory for renewal of driver's licenses and receipt of any tax refunds. While both sides doubt the intelligence of the voters on the other side we are founded on the concept of "The Wisdom of the Crowd". I liked the Iraq voting method where voters dipped their fingers in purple ink that would stay on for a few days. You knew who voted and double voting was easy to prevent.
2
Yes, countries like Iraq should definitely be our model. A nice step toward totalitarianism.
3
The Iraq method needs to be brought to America where van-loads of iffy voters are supposedly seen driving around all day in Ohio.
Follow Illinois? Really? The place that popularized the phrase "vote early, vote often"?
3
Without lawful ID, voting becomes a farce!
1
The point is to make it very very easy to get a lawful ID, not very very hard.
Given that some states allow illegal immigrants to obtain drivers licenses at the DMV, how will those states deny voting when one comes for a license. Or is that the intent of states such as CA - give illegal immigrants the right to vote 'under the table' by opting them all in?
2
I am Republican and all for the Illinois law. However, at the same time, we should insist that everyone show valid ID at the voting booth.
3
Automatic voter registration is long overdue, as is the need for *sensible* safeguards against fraud.
1
I live in Illinois and find this editorial more nauseating than most. I vote in every election. In the majority of races, there is only a single candidate. The reason there is only a single candidate is because the speaker of the Illinois House for the last three plus decades, Michael Madigan, is a master of gerrymandering. He has carved the electorate up so finely and so precisely that most elections are uncontested.
In the last several years there have been two bipartisan efforts to get an amendment on the ballot to take redistricting out off the hands of Michael Madigan and put it in the hands of a bipartisan commission similar to what has been done in California and other states. The most recent effort, the Independent Maps Amendment, got over 600,000 signatures. Despite this, the Illinois Supreme Court found the proposed ballot initiative unconstitutional. Do I need to tell you that this was a bitterly contested decision and that all four justices who voted against allowing the initiative on the ballot were all Madigan cronies? And that the three justices who voted in favor of allowing the amendment on the ballot - that is who voted in favor of real democracy - were not?
Sure, Illinois is great at signing up voters. Let's join the incredilby perceptive editorial board of the NYTimes in applauding Illinois' progressive voter registration rules. Too bad that when you get to the voting booth many of your choices have already been made for you.
In the last several years there have been two bipartisan efforts to get an amendment on the ballot to take redistricting out off the hands of Michael Madigan and put it in the hands of a bipartisan commission similar to what has been done in California and other states. The most recent effort, the Independent Maps Amendment, got over 600,000 signatures. Despite this, the Illinois Supreme Court found the proposed ballot initiative unconstitutional. Do I need to tell you that this was a bitterly contested decision and that all four justices who voted against allowing the initiative on the ballot were all Madigan cronies? And that the three justices who voted in favor of allowing the amendment on the ballot - that is who voted in favor of real democracy - were not?
Sure, Illinois is great at signing up voters. Let's join the incredilby perceptive editorial board of the NYTimes in applauding Illinois' progressive voter registration rules. Too bad that when you get to the voting booth many of your choices have already been made for you.
2
one party stands to benefit from illegal votes,the other party not. Illinois political machines have a history of reaching into the voting booth...walking around money. All polling places must allow monitors from both sides.
2
Illinois is bankrupt ethically, morally, financially. It is a model only for Democratic one party corruption and failure.
3
I agree with others that national elections should have national rules, but be careful what you wish for. If any party had a monopoly (president and a large enough majority in the house and senate) they would set the rules to suit themselves and we might all be Texans.
The Supreme Court has the final say, but it can take years for a challenge to make its way through the courts (and be obstructed by political appointees along the way). What we need is a bi-partisan set of national rules, documented in a constitutional amendment, but good luck with that.
The Supreme Court has the final say, but it can take years for a challenge to make its way through the courts (and be obstructed by political appointees along the way). What we need is a bi-partisan set of national rules, documented in a constitutional amendment, but good luck with that.
1
Student ID cards are not acceptable for voting purposes because they provide no proof of citizenship or residency. Texas permits tens of thousands of unauthorized immigrants to pay in-state tuition. They are issued student IDs, but are not eligible to vote. Thousands of students commute daily from their homes in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana to attend college classes in Texas. They are issued students IDs, but are not eligible to vote in Texas. Thousands of Mexicans legally cross the Rio Grande each day to attend college classes in Texas border towns. They get student IDs, but are not eligible to vote. Texas has 196 colleges and universities. How can a poll workers be expected to know if students IDs from so many schools are genuine?
The reason that Texas issued only 869 free voter IDs between 2013 and 2017 is that the claim 600,000 Texans lack ID is a lie. Texas has 254 counties, and many have never had a request for one of the free voter ID. People don’t go through life without proof of citizenship just because they don’t drive or have no birth certificates. Without proof of citizenship, people can’t register for Social Security, which means they can work or draw social benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security retirement benefits. Those born without birth certificates get delayed birth certificates or certificates of non-availability. People who don’t drive get state-issued photo ID cards which they can use for the same identification purposes other people use driver’s licenses. They are cheaper and easier to get than driver’s licenses because you don’t have to pass a driver’s test. So far, opponents of the Texas voter ID law who have appeared in court have been unable to present a single person who couldn’t get one of the free voter IDs. There are no authenticated cases of applicants being denied a free voter ID because they couldn’t produce proof of citizenship. If one turns up, they get a hearing before a review panel. So far, this hasn’t been necessary.
1
If we truly wanted to be an example for the rest of the world about the values of democracy we would make voting as easy as possible. But we are a country where political power is all that matters and the end justifies the means. Both parties are complicit otherwise federal standards would have been set in stone long ago to make sure that states couldn't disenfranchise voters. This isn't a new problem.
I'm blessed to live in a state with automatic registration. I also have the option to register online and can track my ballot online once I've voted. Oregonians vote by mail so I don't have to wait in line for hours at a polling station. There really isn't any excuse not to vote because our politicians have made doing so as convenient as possible.
Everyone gets a social security number right after birth. Clearly we need a federal ID that is issued as soon as we turn 18. The federal government has a responsibility to ensure voting standards when the states have demonstrated that they are unwilling to do so. Otherwise we might as well stop pretending that we are a democracy and admit that we're nothing more than a plutocracy.
I'm blessed to live in a state with automatic registration. I also have the option to register online and can track my ballot online once I've voted. Oregonians vote by mail so I don't have to wait in line for hours at a polling station. There really isn't any excuse not to vote because our politicians have made doing so as convenient as possible.
Everyone gets a social security number right after birth. Clearly we need a federal ID that is issued as soon as we turn 18. The federal government has a responsibility to ensure voting standards when the states have demonstrated that they are unwilling to do so. Otherwise we might as well stop pretending that we are a democracy and admit that we're nothing more than a plutocracy.
1
Once again, the US is trying to reinvent the wheel and comes up with a Ruby Goldberg contraption. Civilized countries have an official ID that is issued to every citizen on their 18th birthday. You use this ID for every interaction with the state or its agencies. You are sent a reminder of where your voting precinct is, and when you show up with your ID, they already have your number. What's wrong with this picture? Nothing. Now let's hear how many "Live free or Die" crowd with tin-foil hats on their heads and fear of the New World Order in what passes for their brains agree to this!
10
It's nice to hear about Illinois doing something right for a change.
2
We don't need quantity . . . we need quality. If we want to improve our nation, we must do it through ensuring that voters are educated and capable of exercising their right to vote responsibly.
2
Right - and who gets to decide the definition of ."educated and capable"? Is this newspeak code for "white"?
3
Impediments to voting walk all over the Constitution, its amendments and judicial review; both in words and spirit.
The framers were big on voting. Yes, it took the 15th, 19th and 26th amendments and a civil war to overcome significant and intentional gaps in the original document. But the framers' commitment to democracy positively screams when you consider these descendants of the British monarchy were adamant in their opposition to such disenfranchising measures as property and religious tests for voters.
The 24th Amendment makes poll taxes unConstitutional. Many think requiring prospective voters to buy ID cars constitutes a poll tax. (They are $16 in Texas. And, according to a study by The Brennan Center, birth certificates elsewhere can cost between $8 and $25 more. Marriage licenses, required in some states for married women whose birth certificates include a maiden name, can cost between $8 and $20.)
In 1964, Earl Warren, writing for the Court vis a vis a challenge to the 24th Amendment, quoted sponsors of Virginia's 1902 poll tax rule, who said, ..."Discrimination. Why that is precisely what we propose...to the elimination of every negro voter who can be gotten rid of."
Seems the only difference between 1902 abusers of the Constitution and their contemporaries was their honesty.
The framers were big on voting. Yes, it took the 15th, 19th and 26th amendments and a civil war to overcome significant and intentional gaps in the original document. But the framers' commitment to democracy positively screams when you consider these descendants of the British monarchy were adamant in their opposition to such disenfranchising measures as property and religious tests for voters.
The 24th Amendment makes poll taxes unConstitutional. Many think requiring prospective voters to buy ID cars constitutes a poll tax. (They are $16 in Texas. And, according to a study by The Brennan Center, birth certificates elsewhere can cost between $8 and $25 more. Marriage licenses, required in some states for married women whose birth certificates include a maiden name, can cost between $8 and $20.)
In 1964, Earl Warren, writing for the Court vis a vis a challenge to the 24th Amendment, quoted sponsors of Virginia's 1902 poll tax rule, who said, ..."Discrimination. Why that is precisely what we propose...to the elimination of every negro voter who can be gotten rid of."
Seems the only difference between 1902 abusers of the Constitution and their contemporaries was their honesty.
4
The statement that the "framers were big on voting" is absurd. In fact, they intentionally limited the vote for federal offices to a small elite, and included no guarantee in the Constitution that being a citizen or resident entitled one to vote (there still is none). There is nothing in the Constitution that indicates "opposition to such disenfranchising measures as property and religious tests for voters (as opposed to office holders)".
1
Murderers and rapists--of truth, democratic rights, values--run rampant in the Republican Party.
2
Instate mandatory military service and watch the interest in politics and elections flourish overnight.
Folks from small towns serving side-by-side with folks from the cities, across racial, ethnic, political, and social classes all living under one roof, for the good of the country. I loved my time in service for that reason.
Just make sure that people like Trump can't get four deferments and let off the hook for "bone spurs".
Folks from small towns serving side-by-side with folks from the cities, across racial, ethnic, political, and social classes all living under one roof, for the good of the country. I loved my time in service for that reason.
Just make sure that people like Trump can't get four deferments and let off the hook for "bone spurs".
4
Excellent suggestion, Ace. There are many reasons to re-institute the draft. Remember what finally halted our adventure in Vietnam? It was college kids who knew that after graduation they were going to be drafted and go into the Vietnam sausage grinder.
Everyone in the U.S. should have "skin in the game---- EVERYONE including CEO's, Senator"s and Congressional Representatives kids! I'll wager our country's enthusiasm for war would wane considerably in that situation.
Everyone in the U.S. should have "skin in the game---- EVERYONE including CEO's, Senator"s and Congressional Representatives kids! I'll wager our country's enthusiasm for war would wane considerably in that situation.
2
The federal government really should let Houston recover on its own, given the anti-government politics of the state. But you-all know we won't----- and they know we won't.
Wonder whether Texans will have any second thoughts about their anti-government/anti-science politics as a result of Hurricane Harvey's unprecedented devastation. My guess is probably not.
Wonder whether Texans will have any second thoughts about their anti-government/anti-science politics as a result of Hurricane Harvey's unprecedented devastation. My guess is probably not.
3
The blue states of California and New York will end up footing most of the bill.
1
If the government can assign my one day old son a social security number so he can pay taxes, they can bloody well automatically give him the ability to vote once he comes of age.
7
America First as long as America is white has always been a safe philosophy of some who have never welcomed any change but especially a diminution of power. So simple it is stupid.
As usual, NYT dodges the real question, which is whether it is right to let Mexicans vote in US elections. The geographical locations of Illinois and Texas speak directly to this unasked and unacknowledged question. Yes, there is a shameful history of blocking black voters (in both states), but that is not the real issue here. The real questions are:
1) Does voter fraud occur?
2) Should the US take measures to prevent it?
3) If the answers to 1 and 2 are both 'yes', what should the measures be?
1) Does voter fraud occur?
2) Should the US take measures to prevent it?
3) If the answers to 1 and 2 are both 'yes', what should the measures be?
2
Well, Ann the issue looses all steam with the answer to your first question.
It has been documented again and again that there is no, repeat NO evidence of false-identity voter fraud having ever influence the outcome of any American election at any level ever.
Got it?
There has never been an instance where these restrictive measures would have prevented a fraudulent result. Of course there have been other kinds of fraud, and it is important to prevent, prosecute, and punish them when found.
The GOP's restrictive ID rules have done just what they were intended to do, suppressed minority votes. That is a real crime. If you want to contribute to the discussion, do some research. If you do, you will find plenty to condemn in the GOP's contemptible, racist, deliberately anti-democratic actions.
It has been documented again and again that there is no, repeat NO evidence of false-identity voter fraud having ever influence the outcome of any American election at any level ever.
Got it?
There has never been an instance where these restrictive measures would have prevented a fraudulent result. Of course there have been other kinds of fraud, and it is important to prevent, prosecute, and punish them when found.
The GOP's restrictive ID rules have done just what they were intended to do, suppressed minority votes. That is a real crime. If you want to contribute to the discussion, do some research. If you do, you will find plenty to condemn in the GOP's contemptible, racist, deliberately anti-democratic actions.
2
It's obviously not right to let Mexicans vote in US elections. No one is saying that non-citizens have a right to vote, because, Constitutionally, they do not. It is a prerogative of citizenship. However, everyone who _is_ a citizen should vote. And making it harder for people who have a right to vote to actually vote is immoral and un-American.
1
You know what the funny thing is (beside you contradicting yourself as to what the "real" question(s) is/are)? It's that US citizens overwhelming commit voter fraud.
So, no, the "real" question here IS NOT "whether it is right to let Mexicans vote in US elections," and, no, the NYT did not dodge.
But thanks for your contribution, Anne from...London.
So, no, the "real" question here IS NOT "whether it is right to let Mexicans vote in US elections," and, no, the NYT did not dodge.
But thanks for your contribution, Anne from...London.
Illinois may be ahead of the pack when it comes to registering voters, but the voters are the losers because Illinois insists on having closed primaries. You must pick a party and that is who you are stuck voting for in a primary election.
1
This is incorrect. On primary day, you can take any party ballot. There is no party registration in Illinois.
Re Texas, if I believed in god, I might argue that the rains and floods are a sign that god is not happy with Texas stopping people from voting. I'd like to hear from any religionists how you feel about this.
3
Illinois politicians identified as doing the right thing.
Talk about a 500 year storm.... this is one in a million.
I can die in peace now.
Talk about a 500 year storm.... this is one in a million.
I can die in peace now.
3
Its simple if Americans that would vote Democrat can easily vote Republicans will never win any elections. That's what all their voter suppression is about.
3
The difference with voting and other transactions that ID might be required is that voting is a constitutional right and getting a check cashed is not. There is absolutely no monetary incentive to cast a potentially illegal vote and some serious consequences both monetary and criminal for doing so why would anyone take the chance? When I lived in Britain as an American abroad, the thought of voting in a British election seemed beyond crazy and in my years living there I never even heard a story of anyone non citizen who tried.
6
It's a nice thought, but it's not going to happen in any state controlled by Republicans. This is not about doing the right thing, it's about holding onto power at all costs, and appealing to the decency and civic responsibility of these people is useless. They don't have any.
6
I unfortunately live in Illinois and have just about given up on anything positive in this state that is overwhelmingly run by democrats. I'm not sure why Rauner signed this but I agree with him on most issues, so I'll give this one a pass. Chicago and Cook county is the real problems for our state and a big drag on the rest due to the democrats and political corruption. See the soda tax as the latest to fleece more money from the poor guised under it's for the children mantra democrats always try to use. It's really for the politicians and their cronies and only hurts those who are middle class and poor.
3
Every informed individual knows that voter ID fraud is not a problem in the United States, and that the Republican fixation upon this nonissue can only be explained as a longstanding, cynical, and centralized effort to deny the franchise to those who might vote wrong.
Everyone considering a vote for any Republican needs to consider whether he truly wants to support this assault upon the very foundation of our democracy
Everyone considering a vote for any Republican needs to consider whether he truly wants to support this assault upon the very foundation of our democracy
3
I would like to see the US have a "tax credit" for those who vote.
When one votes you could get a certificate that you attach to your tax return. The certificate entitles you to say a $100 credit (or rebate if income is zero).
This would increase voter participation a lot. People are not forced to vote, but are given an incentive.
Any comments why this would not be good for US democracy...?
When one votes you could get a certificate that you attach to your tax return. The certificate entitles you to say a $100 credit (or rebate if income is zero).
This would increase voter participation a lot. People are not forced to vote, but are given an incentive.
Any comments why this would not be good for US democracy...?
1
For GOPpers voting is a privilege while guns are a right.
2
I have never understood how they justify suppressing votes from people here AND go to war in Iraq to remove Sadaam Hussein because he is a dictator who does not let his people vote freely! To make it worse some of those whose votes are suppressed either go to fight these wars or have parents, children who have been or are at these wars.
4
Without even knowing what we are talking about, we know that any "reforms" taking place in Texas as NOT what we should be doing. Texas is has one of the most corrupt governments in the entire nation at every level.
1
Showing proof of citizenship should be required in every state.
2
If Republicans lawmakers really are not the racists they are accused of being, Congressional Republicans should pass legislation that restores the Voter Rights Legislation and State Republicans should stop voter suppression and enact the Illinois voter registeration act. And whether they do should be a metric by which we measure them.
22
I couldn't agree more, but the reality is that Republicans are simply using voter suppression to maintain power as a minority in many cases. Ironically, it is not that different than in the Middle East where Iraq under Hussein and Syria were nations where a minority goes a step farther to do the same.
In Texas, legislators did not pass the voter registration laws just because they are racist or bigoted, it is to maintain power. The fact many of them are racist and bigoted is what gives them a clean conscience to take the heinous step in the first place.
In Texas, legislators did not pass the voter registration laws just because they are racist or bigoted, it is to maintain power. The fact many of them are racist and bigoted is what gives them a clean conscience to take the heinous step in the first place.
3
In my state Washington, we vote by mail and, although I miss going to the polls, it is wonderfully convenient and I vote in all primaries now. Voting by mail should be international. Oregon is pushing this legislation. l registered to vote in the '60s, in avery rural Washington county and vividly remember it with pride, but I support voters registration with drivers and ID licensing. I also support anti Gerrymandering law.
VOTE people!
VOTE people!
9
This is all well and good -- Indiana is considering the same thing. But it's voter access to the polls that is the problem, esoecially in areas with a poor or minority population. Unavailability of polling places and inadequate numbers of voting mechanisms at these locations often end up discouraging people to vote. Check the disparities between wealthier precincts and poorer for proof.
Registration is the relatively easier of the two voting issues to solve. Actually being able to exercise that right is what's more of an issue.
Registration is the relatively easier of the two voting issues to solve. Actually being able to exercise that right is what's more of an issue.
5
California allows counties to provide absentee ballots to any registered voter who requests one. It's a lot cheaper too.
2
Some CA areas are so remote residents receive a mail-in ballot only. Overall CA has vastly increased their mail-in voting which is helpful considering they also have a large number of propositions on their ballots.
1
" The acceptable forms of identification — a gun permit, for example, but not a student ID card"
That in itself, tells me all I need to know about how equitable and fair the current Texas Voter ID laws are.
And that at least in Texas, people think their identity is confirmed best by a gun Licence held and NOT via a Student ID card others may have.
Who could possibly think that studying for a higher learning/getting an education is a viable, acceptable means to identify with versus holding a gun permit !
I guess to many living in other Countries it does ring true more and more on how we understand and what we identify as America...
That in itself, tells me all I need to know about how equitable and fair the current Texas Voter ID laws are.
And that at least in Texas, people think their identity is confirmed best by a gun Licence held and NOT via a Student ID card others may have.
Who could possibly think that studying for a higher learning/getting an education is a viable, acceptable means to identify with versus holding a gun permit !
I guess to many living in other Countries it does ring true more and more on how we understand and what we identify as America...
6
It makes sense depending on the school. A gun permit is generally a state government issued form of photo ID. If a student ID is issued by a state school, it seems reasonable it should be acceptable as a voter ID, but not necessarily a non-state run institution. Student IDs should also only be considered valid when the individual is enrolled in classes for the year. I've been able to keep my student ID for a long time after graduation, and it doesn't have an expiration date listed on it.
2
As part of DMV and other state agencies registering voters, proof of citizenship should be included in the process.
This improves compliance not only with voting laws, but other laws as well when program beneficiaries are limited to US citizens or legal residents.
This way we can address the concerns of voter registration that both the left and right have.
This improves compliance not only with voting laws, but other laws as well when program beneficiaries are limited to US citizens or legal residents.
This way we can address the concerns of voter registration that both the left and right have.
1
The only reason a politician would be against measures increasing voter participation, like automatic registration, is because they're afraid the new voters will vote against them.
6
I think Green Card holders can vote in state and local elections, just not federal ones. The Dept of Homeland Security website says that these legal residents are protected by all local & state laws.
I agree completely that we must do everything possible to increase voter participation, and to oppose voter suppression (and gerrymandering). It is ironic, though, that Illinois is cited as a model. They certainly got it right on this one, but Illinois has been an example of complete dysfunction in state government for several years. That's a reminder that we don't just have to make it easy for citizens to vote, we have to persuade them that there is some value in doing so.
8
Virginia has "motor voter" registration. However, a friend of mine, who assists new immigrants, took a green card holder to DMV to get a driver's license. Without even questioning the individual's legal status, the clerk offered to register the individual to vote. Motor voter is subject to fraud, especially with the number of states now issuing licenses to illegal immigrants.
4
In Oregon the oversight for drivers licenses is actually more stringent when obtain a drives license than it had been for the previous voter registration system and non-citizens driver license applicants do not get registered as voters.
Conspicuously absent from your lead editorial “The Absurdity of Voting Obstacles” (Aug. 31) is any evidence supporting the assumption that higher voter participation rates result in more desirable elected public officials or more efficacious public policies.
1
I believe the point of the article is a USA Citizen's right to vote. How an individual votes is a different subject more towards education.
4
Two things should happen in order to raise voter participation. First, all elections should be held over the course of a weekend. This removes the excuse that one couldn't get there because of work conflicts. Secondly, any election with less than 66.67% participation will declared invalid and a re-vote will take place until this "magic" number is exceeded.
7
Lots of people work on the weekends. Typically low paid workers. Voting should be held over a couple of weeks at least with a national voting holiday on a weekend and weekday and keep poles open late and open early or 24 hrs.
A couple of our gerrymandered districts here in Texas were deemed illegal and maps ordered redrawn. Of course our Attorney General Paxton, under indictment himself, appealed to Supreme Court Justice Alito to put a stay on this which he did. I had no idea this could be done, apparently so. We are out of luck here, the Freedom Caucus has a hold on this state.
5
Wow, Oregon went over 60% of eligible voters in the last election.. Great news except once you compare that to most other democratic nations we soon realize just how woeful that number is. Automatically becoming registered is a good starting point, but then we should consider emphasizing more civic classes in school even at the expense of STEM classes. Knowing how to code is of some value but having a solid understanding of the constitution and citizens role in insuring its application is even more critical.
34
These civics classes might help even Trump! His grasp of how Congress and legislation work is wanting.
Well said!
HJ Cavanaugh: Right! Enough with the STEM hysteria. Restore civics and recess! Art and music! They do good!
Another reason for Oregon's high voter participation rate is that we vote by mail. Not only is it easy to register in Oregon, actual voting is also easy. The system works quite well. There are no barriers to casting a ballot such as long lines, voting hours, work schedules, physical infirmities, etc. You don't even have to have money for a postage stamp if you or someone else drops your ballot at any number of official places. We have had a couple of cases of fraud, but not voter fraud. The fraudulent conduct was committed by Republican county election officials.
24
These voter i.d. restrictions are intended to narrow the electorate by eliminating minorities. No surprise that the Trump administration wants it that way.
Good for Illinois. But these laws should not have to pass state by state.
Now, as for that gerrymandering...
Good for Illinois. But these laws should not have to pass state by state.
Now, as for that gerrymandering...
7
The White voter obsession to the detriment of democratic expansion and in denial of the changed demographic map amounts effectively to the denial of democracy itself which is bound to undermine the basic foundations of the US Republic.
19
Sing it loud and clear, Professor Sharma !
The Russian-Republican Party has nothing to do with American values.
The Russian-Republican Party has nothing to do with American values.
7
Prof:
Your words are bombastic, do not express well what you intended. Next time please write in simple English that everyone can understand. We also knew how votes are bought in India and how corrupt your elections are!!!
Your words are bombastic, do not express well what you intended. Next time please write in simple English that everyone can understand. We also knew how votes are bought in India and how corrupt your elections are!!!
Abby...the good Professor was quite clear with his language, and not particularly bombastic.
Perhaps he writes with an 'Indian accent', if you will, but I found his thought quite clear.
Perhaps the foul smell of Russian-Republican voter suppression under your nose upsets your comprehension skills.
Perhaps he writes with an 'Indian accent', if you will, but I found his thought quite clear.
Perhaps the foul smell of Russian-Republican voter suppression under your nose upsets your comprehension skills.
1
When election officials purposely discriminate, that is a wrong that must be righted. When they base their actions on the purported need to eliminate non-existent fraud, they enter the realm of climate change deniers. Still, when it comes to the practical effect, a lot remains unknown. We seem not to have yet determined how much voter id laws affect elections. By contrast we know that gerrymandering has an enormous effect which has been quantified. Voter id laws are wrong, offensive, and sometimes racist, and they always seem to target likely Democrat voters.. They could certainly swing a very close election. But they may be more offensive in their intent than in their effect.
We are soon to find out whether political gerrymandering is unconstitutional. That is a monumental issue when it comes to its effect on election results. Gerrymandering takes your vote away, whether or not you go to the polls. And because it is (wrongly) viewed as acceptable it may well withstand the pending legal challenge.
If you want to remedy discrimination, you fight voter id laws. If you want a fair shake in elections, your first priority has to be political gerrymandering.
We are soon to find out whether political gerrymandering is unconstitutional. That is a monumental issue when it comes to its effect on election results. Gerrymandering takes your vote away, whether or not you go to the polls. And because it is (wrongly) viewed as acceptable it may well withstand the pending legal challenge.
If you want to remedy discrimination, you fight voter id laws. If you want a fair shake in elections, your first priority has to be political gerrymandering.
35
"Still, when it comes to the practical effect, a lot remains unknown. We seem not to have yet determined how much voter id laws affect elections"
Not true. In the 2000 presidential election, the state attorney generals purge of the voter laws resulted in denying the right to vote to over 100,000 citizens. Many of these were denied the right to voted because they shared the same name as a convicted felon (imagine how many John Smiths there could be in a state of 18 million people), and probably a little more (shall we suggest racial profiling?) to the process to make sure potential GOP votes were not turned away at the ballot box. In the end the state and the presidency were decided by less than 1000 votes.
The success of that program no doubt played a large part in seeing similar tactics expanded throughout the GOP controlled states in the years to follow. It's not merely coincidence or random outcome.
Not true. In the 2000 presidential election, the state attorney generals purge of the voter laws resulted in denying the right to vote to over 100,000 citizens. Many of these were denied the right to voted because they shared the same name as a convicted felon (imagine how many John Smiths there could be in a state of 18 million people), and probably a little more (shall we suggest racial profiling?) to the process to make sure potential GOP votes were not turned away at the ballot box. In the end the state and the presidency were decided by less than 1000 votes.
The success of that program no doubt played a large part in seeing similar tactics expanded throughout the GOP controlled states in the years to follow. It's not merely coincidence or random outcome.
3
Gerrymandering, historically practiced by both parties is disenfranchisement of the voter.
I agree with the idea of fighting discrimination. But you need ID to get on a plane, cash a check, go interstate bus, and many other things. Voting is far more important so having and showing photo ID should not be an issue. Now getting one might be made easier, but how do you bank without one?
The problem of low voter turnout in the US is appalling. On the other hand the ignorance of many of the people who do vote is also appalling. Democrats seem to think that they benefit by putting ballots in the hands of everyone, no matter how ill informed, while Republicans think that they benefit from low turnouts, and seek to take ballots out of the hands of as many non-white people as possible. Neither party seems interested in talking about the civic duty to become educated about elections. Voting is not just a right, it's a responsibility that requires serious attention - more attention than simply watching a couple of 15 second TV ads. We need to do more than simply making it easy to vote.
32
At the risk of turning too easily to cliches, don't let the perfect become the enemy of the good. Yes, lack of education is a problem among the electorate, but we can't progress from sitting to running without the intermediate steps of standing up and taking the first step. Likewise, we can't proceed from no voting to a fully engaged electorate without getting people in a position to vote, giving them any incentive at all to become more engaged. Once we have ballots in everyone's hand, we can spend greater effort on education and engagement. Engagement without ballots in hand is meaningless. (This is not to say that empowerment and education must be our sole focus at a given time, but concentrating on them out of order makes no sense.)
The requirements for voting in a national election should be the same in every state. What is the rationale for doing otherwise?
In a national election you are voting as a citizen of the "United" States, not as a resident of one of it's states. With disparate requirements, you face the unconscionable situation where moving from one of the United States to another could cause you to become disenfranchised.
States rights should not prevail over your rights due because of your citizenship in America, when exercising your rights as an American, not a Texan.
The States should simply offer the logistical assistance in processing the registration of voters according to the requirements established at the federal level - all men and women across the country being equal.
In a national election you are voting as a citizen of the "United" States, not as a resident of one of it's states. With disparate requirements, you face the unconscionable situation where moving from one of the United States to another could cause you to become disenfranchised.
States rights should not prevail over your rights due because of your citizenship in America, when exercising your rights as an American, not a Texan.
The States should simply offer the logistical assistance in processing the registration of voters according to the requirements established at the federal level - all men and women across the country being equal.
51
Nobody truly votes in a national election, everybody votes as a citizen of their state. The states are the constituents of the Federal Government, not the people. The people are the constituents of the states. This is why the popular vote isn't what picks the president. The popular vote decides how the state electors (equal to the number of representatives in Congress) will vote.
This post betrays a basic lack of understanding of our civic structure.
This post betrays a basic lack of understanding of our civic structure.
Unfortunately, the Constitution leaves voting up to the states.
Ms. Parker, your statement that voting in a "national election" means that you are voting as a citizen of the United States is in error.
Voting is a matter for the states to determine as is mandated by the Constitution of the United States. Further, it is not The People who vote for the only "national" office that exists, the Office of President; it is THE STATES that vote for that office.
We are a REPUBLIC, and have been so since 1787.
And while I agree with you that voting procedures should be uniform across the nation, and uniform for ALL elected offices. achieving that will require a constitutional amendment.
We are a nation where the rule of law is the means of governance. Your well-meaning recommendation, however, flies in the face of the very laws that are at the foundation of our FEDERAL REPUBILC.
Voting is a matter for the states to determine as is mandated by the Constitution of the United States. Further, it is not The People who vote for the only "national" office that exists, the Office of President; it is THE STATES that vote for that office.
We are a REPUBLIC, and have been so since 1787.
And while I agree with you that voting procedures should be uniform across the nation, and uniform for ALL elected offices. achieving that will require a constitutional amendment.
We are a nation where the rule of law is the means of governance. Your well-meaning recommendation, however, flies in the face of the very laws that are at the foundation of our FEDERAL REPUBILC.
We are talking about two very different issues, although distantly related.
Illinois is making it easier for people to register, a move I totally agree with. Everyone who is eligible should be registered. The Texas law, whether one agrees with it or not, is aimed at the other end of the process, the actual voting and determining if the person who shows up at the polls is the person who is registered.
Comparing the two is one of the most egregious examples of apples to oranges I have ever seen, and invalidates any other good points the column may have had.
Illinois is making it easier for people to register, a move I totally agree with. Everyone who is eligible should be registered. The Texas law, whether one agrees with it or not, is aimed at the other end of the process, the actual voting and determining if the person who shows up at the polls is the person who is registered.
Comparing the two is one of the most egregious examples of apples to oranges I have ever seen, and invalidates any other good points the column may have had.
4
It's a distinction without a difference. Making it harder to register and requiring photo voter ID both suppress the vote, and that's the crucial issue.
Proponents of photo voter ID claim that it prevents fraudulent voting, but the evidence is clear that there is negligible fraudulent voting, at least of the kind that photo voter ID is intended to stop.
Proponents of photo voter ID claim that it prevents fraudulent voting, but the evidence is clear that there is negligible fraudulent voting, at least of the kind that photo voter ID is intended to stop.
8
We should take warning from the fact that, when "the wrong candidate won" and votes were challenged in precincts that had used paperless voting machines, the results COULD NOT BE AUDITED. There was no independent corroborating data-source ("paper" ...) to validate the electronic database. It was impossible to prove that these records were authentic. Sore-losers howled of "Russian meddling," but anyone could have stuffed those ballot boxes – undetected.
The State of Colorado demonstrated how very-elementary statistical quality control techniques can be used to provide strong assurances of vote integrity without excessive overhead – IF a paper record exists.
We should therefore mandate that all elections throughout the Country must include a hand-auditable paper trail.
But we ALSO need voter identification, and pragmatic ways to ensure that voters only vote once, and that every vote cast was in fact cast by a voter. History tells us that many dead people voted in Chicago. History tells us that Tammany Hall would bus people from one polling place to another in exchange for the promise of a hot meal and a warm bed. If anyone can stuff a ballot box, it WILL BE stuffed.
I think that the voter identification should be "exactly that." Don't co-opt a gun permit, a driver's license, or any other thing. Its only purpose is to be a statistical data-integrity control ensuring that "the pool of votes cast" probably corresponds one-to-one with "lawful voters." Not "stuffing."
The State of Colorado demonstrated how very-elementary statistical quality control techniques can be used to provide strong assurances of vote integrity without excessive overhead – IF a paper record exists.
We should therefore mandate that all elections throughout the Country must include a hand-auditable paper trail.
But we ALSO need voter identification, and pragmatic ways to ensure that voters only vote once, and that every vote cast was in fact cast by a voter. History tells us that many dead people voted in Chicago. History tells us that Tammany Hall would bus people from one polling place to another in exchange for the promise of a hot meal and a warm bed. If anyone can stuff a ballot box, it WILL BE stuffed.
I think that the voter identification should be "exactly that." Don't co-opt a gun permit, a driver's license, or any other thing. Its only purpose is to be a statistical data-integrity control ensuring that "the pool of votes cast" probably corresponds one-to-one with "lawful voters." Not "stuffing."
4
Mike, yes Chicago is tagged with the phrase "vote early and vote often" - but it has nothing to do with ID. The election judges used to keep a piece of pencil lead under the fingernail to spoil ballots for the wrong party back when things were hand counted. The real election fraud comes from officials in power, not citizens who happen to stumble into the wrong polling place. See Red States.
None of the things you mention are PROOF of American citizenship
1
Fine essay by the Editorial Board. It is thought provoking, and also provokes a lot of emotional diatribe that is driven by the irrational fear, uncertainty and doubt that motivates the typical Trump supporter.
Counterexamples to the voter fraud argument are given here:
https://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/analysis/Briefing_Memo...
About voter turnout: a very sharp conservative friend of mine once remarked that our lack of voter turnout is a product of a stable democratic society. He noted that in societies like the old Soviet Union, they always claim 100% turnout, and of course the Communist Party tended to win most elections.
Unfortunately a lack of turnout produces a poor statistical sample. Donald Trump should never have been nominated as a presidential candidate, but only a third of the voters came out to the Republican primary polls in 2016. It's impossible to tell what Republicans wanted in a primary candidate; we only know the preferences of those Republicans who showed up to vote.
In 2016, New Hampshire had a 52% primary turnout and Wisconsin a 49% turnout, but all other states were in the 30% range or lower. North Dakota was the lowest at 0.7%. One could question the validity of the primary election results.
Trump and his minions are notorious for questioning election results, but the irony is that the low primary turnout leaves the notion of a national preference for Trump's nomination highly questionable.
Counterexamples to the voter fraud argument are given here:
https://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/analysis/Briefing_Memo...
About voter turnout: a very sharp conservative friend of mine once remarked that our lack of voter turnout is a product of a stable democratic society. He noted that in societies like the old Soviet Union, they always claim 100% turnout, and of course the Communist Party tended to win most elections.
Unfortunately a lack of turnout produces a poor statistical sample. Donald Trump should never have been nominated as a presidential candidate, but only a third of the voters came out to the Republican primary polls in 2016. It's impossible to tell what Republicans wanted in a primary candidate; we only know the preferences of those Republicans who showed up to vote.
In 2016, New Hampshire had a 52% primary turnout and Wisconsin a 49% turnout, but all other states were in the 30% range or lower. North Dakota was the lowest at 0.7%. One could question the validity of the primary election results.
Trump and his minions are notorious for questioning election results, but the irony is that the low primary turnout leaves the notion of a national preference for Trump's nomination highly questionable.
6
The US should adopt California's approach. Better voter registration is fine, but does not help reduce polarization, particularly after "Citizens United."
What matters is the way candidates advance from the primaries to the general election. Here in California, every voter can vote for any candidate in the primary elections, regardless of party affiliation of the candidate or the voter. The top two vote winners move on to the general election. We've had several cases in which both candidates in the general election are affiliated with the same party, including the last election for a U.S. Senator from California. Extremists, of any kind, who can only attract a small fraction of the voters, just don't have a chance to get to the general election and the voters don't end up with having to chose one extreme or the other.
The result has been a blessing for California. Before we passed this law, through a ballot initiative, California had a sorry history of never been able to pass a budget on time. This problem disappear immediately after the new voting law. Our politician now reflect the thinking of more of our voters. Now, that is democracy.
What matters is the way candidates advance from the primaries to the general election. Here in California, every voter can vote for any candidate in the primary elections, regardless of party affiliation of the candidate or the voter. The top two vote winners move on to the general election. We've had several cases in which both candidates in the general election are affiliated with the same party, including the last election for a U.S. Senator from California. Extremists, of any kind, who can only attract a small fraction of the voters, just don't have a chance to get to the general election and the voters don't end up with having to chose one extreme or the other.
The result has been a blessing for California. Before we passed this law, through a ballot initiative, California had a sorry history of never been able to pass a budget on time. This problem disappear immediately after the new voting law. Our politician now reflect the thinking of more of our voters. Now, that is democracy.
43
Indeed but I expect it is not popular with at least one of the major parties as it dilutes their power.
So you think having no choice other than two progressives is going to encourage people to vote. Your policy is idiotic, parties exist to support their core beliefs to eliminate that is not in our best interest.
You vulcanex do not understand CA. Our state is progressive not because we only empower progressive-- it is progressive because the majority of the people here are progressive.
Just moved to Oregon. Voter registration could not have been easier.
7
Republicans can't win on ideas so they win on rules.
Johnson started the war on poverty in 1965. It hasn't fixed the problem.
(Note that even most Republican voters like Medicare.)
Republicans have had the same 50 years to reduce poverty and they have not. Their trickle down economics has only made it worse.
If Republicans ever reduce poverty, I'll vote for them.
Johnson started the war on poverty in 1965. It hasn't fixed the problem.
(Note that even most Republican voters like Medicare.)
Republicans have had the same 50 years to reduce poverty and they have not. Their trickle down economics has only made it worse.
If Republicans ever reduce poverty, I'll vote for them.
10
Cant win on ideas. Who IS that guy that the news media keeps trying to burn down?
Maybe the only thing people should follow Illinois in.....This state is a disaster on all levels.
5
Republicans fear and oppose American democracy.
Texas Republicans fear and oppose all constitutional rule of law.
Texas has a morally depraved political culture.
Once a modern Republican, never again a good American.
Texas Republicans fear and oppose all constitutional rule of law.
Texas has a morally depraved political culture.
Once a modern Republican, never again a good American.
7
Meanwhile, thanks to corrupt politics, dysfunctional government, and a largely unfair tax regime, more people are fleeing Illinois for Texas each week. I can't say I blame them, either.
5
Republican playbook for staying in power is "Voter Suppression".
Registration for voting and eligibility for voting should be same for the entire country and should not be decided by states as to what sort of ID is acceptable.
May be Federal funds to the states should be based on the voter participation rate in their state. Low participation, lower fund. That might push the states towards encouraging higher participation.
Rules and administration of voting, should be a bipartisan process, and not in the hands of who is in power.
Allowing and encouraging voting by all eligible voters is the bed rock of Democracy.
Registration for voting and eligibility for voting should be same for the entire country and should not be decided by states as to what sort of ID is acceptable.
May be Federal funds to the states should be based on the voter participation rate in their state. Low participation, lower fund. That might push the states towards encouraging higher participation.
Rules and administration of voting, should be a bipartisan process, and not in the hands of who is in power.
Allowing and encouraging voting by all eligible voters is the bed rock of Democracy.
5
You'll need to amend the constitution...
Administration of voting is one of those powers that is specifically granted to The States by the Constitution of the United States.
Administration of voting is one of those powers that is specifically granted to The States by the Constitution of the United States.
Getting registered to vote in Texas is much easier than getting my comments published in these NYT forums for the past few months.
3
Once again the NYT shows it knows nothing about Illinois.
I live in Chicago. Here the dead vote, often twice.
I live in Chicago. Here the dead vote, often twice.
9
@mike melcher, yes, at least twice, and only for democrats.
2
I am not being facetious, I am truly asking. How do you know "the dead vote, often twice?" What hard proof do you have? I haved lived and voted in a few states, and I have never observed a problem. The poll workers are familiar with the voters and vice verse.
One million Democrats. I get it.
5
I have no issue ( as a republican) in registering voters via the Dept of Motor vehicles, but with the uber-liberals who want to give illegal immigrants a drivers license also, I see a large chance for illegal voters. Solve that issue and I'm OK. Next, involving the student ID in Texas, that would be OK if, (1) the date of birth was on the card because some students are below 18 at the time they enter college, (2) address how the illegal immigrants will be handled as with the DMV, and (3) can you guarantee in sme why they cannot be duplicated as drivers licenses have a far greater security implementation that student ID's.
5
I don't consider myself "uber liberal", but I do support requiring driver's licenses for all people who want to drive. Our roads will be safer for everyone if drivers have to meet standards for a license. Many of those who are barred from obtaining licenses will drive out of economic necessity. It is really stupid to deny them the ability to demonstrate competence behind the wheel.
Our CA drivers licenses for legals and illegals look different, in the same way that people under 21 have a different look to theirs.
Republicans should be ashamed. They are like the schoolyard bully that runs off the field with the ball. Cheating, for them, is second nature. Look how many stand idly by giving our man-child in chief tacit approval of his almost daily atrocious behavior.
4
Illinois always makes the right choice. Take a look at the state budget, indebtedness and crime in Chicago. Carl Sandburg would leave in a hurry if he was still alive to witness it.
4
Reagan brain trust and Heritage founder Paul Weyrich laid it all out to an evangelical gathering in 1980 when he said: "So many of our Christians have what I call the goo-goo syndrome: good government. They want everybody to vote. I don't want everybody to vote. Elections are not won by a majority of people, they never have been from the beginning of our country and they are not now. As a matter of fact, our leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the voting populace goes down."
The GOP politico lemmings have been following this game plan ever since.
The GOP politico lemmings have been following this game plan ever since.
9
In Robert Heinlein's book Starship Trooper the ability to vote was restricted to citizens. Citizenship was earned by serving in the military, I am beginning to wonder if perhaps he was onto something.
2
He also viewed housing, food and medical care as rights that would be provided by the state. And his armed citizens had to follow very strict dueling procedures to carry their weapons.
3
Given today's political environment, it's becoming near impossible to say anything positive about the GOP.
But yet, tens of millions of voters proudly self-identify as being Republicans.
But yet, tens of millions of voters proudly self-identify as being Republicans.
1
What we need is a plan that gets Texans to vote out the GOP. A good plan would have wonderful application throughout the country.
2
What's wrong with an affidavit if you have no ID? Its no handicap at all ...zero!
That is, if you tell the truth.
The NYTimes actually wants illegals to vote, specifically because they (NYT) expect these folks to vote Democrat!
We, the people who elected Trump,want laws to be obeyed. The NYT specifically does NOT want laws to be obeyed.
That is, if you tell the truth.
The NYTimes actually wants illegals to vote, specifically because they (NYT) expect these folks to vote Democrat!
We, the people who elected Trump,want laws to be obeyed. The NYT specifically does NOT want laws to be obeyed.
8
When will you insist that Trump and his family obey the laws, and actually be loyal to this country over Russia?
When my daughter turned 18 she wanted to vote but did not yet drive. We went 26 miles to DMV to get her a PA state ID. She took 4 ID's with her including her Penn State Univ. photo ID, not valid in PA for voting(???). We waited 2.5 hours for our turn in early Sept. Finally she was called. She wanted to try it by herself. We agreed I would watch and come over if there was an issue.
After a long conversation she gave me a nod. I walked over.
'What seems to be the trouble?' I asked the white clerk.
'Who are you?' he said suspiciously.
'I am her father.' I held out my PA license, same address as on her birth certificate and 2 other ID's she had.
A moment of cognitive dissonance.
Perhaps he did not expect my black (adopted) daughter to have a blond, nordic father.
'The only ID she has that I can use is her birth certificate. These others don't count.' he said firmly.
'Not her US passport?'
'It expired years ago.'' He held it up, closed, but did not hand it to us. 'Doesn't she have a utility bill in her name?'
'She lives with us. Those are in our names.'
'Well she will need a second ID!'
'When I was on the DMV website this morning, it said that my being here with my PA license is a second valid identification.'
'Oh. ... Yeah.' He began placing all her ID's on the scanner including the passport.
As we went across to get her ID made, I asked to see her passport. The 'expired' date was the Date of Issue. The Expiration Date was right below, 6 years hence.
After a long conversation she gave me a nod. I walked over.
'What seems to be the trouble?' I asked the white clerk.
'Who are you?' he said suspiciously.
'I am her father.' I held out my PA license, same address as on her birth certificate and 2 other ID's she had.
A moment of cognitive dissonance.
Perhaps he did not expect my black (adopted) daughter to have a blond, nordic father.
'The only ID she has that I can use is her birth certificate. These others don't count.' he said firmly.
'Not her US passport?'
'It expired years ago.'' He held it up, closed, but did not hand it to us. 'Doesn't she have a utility bill in her name?'
'She lives with us. Those are in our names.'
'Well she will need a second ID!'
'When I was on the DMV website this morning, it said that my being here with my PA license is a second valid identification.'
'Oh. ... Yeah.' He began placing all her ID's on the scanner including the passport.
As we went across to get her ID made, I asked to see her passport. The 'expired' date was the Date of Issue. The Expiration Date was right below, 6 years hence.
16
Thanks for sharing your daughter's experience. This is very worrisome considering Pennsylvania failed to have a full Recount for the 2016 Election. So, from what you relayed, the person checking your daughter's IDs lied about your daughter's Passport being "expired"? He scanned it anyway. I worry about the young people who didn't have a parent to help them overcome the scam perpetrated by this gatekeeper to voter id's in Philadelphia.
I had an uncle who lived in Chicago. All his life he voted Republican but since he passed away he has voted strictly democratic.
9
And bingo, sir, you have in a very few words hit the essence of the Democratic party's 80+ year "plantation" approach to vote gathering by big city bosses (Daley's Chicago machine etc.)! All the so-called "victims" of the corporate, rich white man's abuse corralled and assumed to vote democratic across generations, rather than think critically about the issues for themselves. Led to polling booths by their elitist, also mostly white, precinct bosses (with post "racist" guilt). Shelby Steele's writings examine this phenomenon and detail the real motives behind this race baiting & vote hustling.
Hard core democrat, but not seeing problem w/ photo ID or sign under penalty of perjury. Isn't it already perjury to sign in for voting already? And really, can you live in today's world w/o photo I'd?
Greater problems are restrictions on early voting, mail ballots & fewer voting locations. I'd say get over the Id & focus on easy of voting issues.
I do believe we should go to English only ballots though.
Greater problems are restrictions on early voting, mail ballots & fewer voting locations. I'd say get over the Id & focus on easy of voting issues.
I do believe we should go to English only ballots though.
5
Let's just tell it like it is. Republicans are only interested in promoting plutocracy and white dominance, and even then mainly the dominance of stupid white people. Real democracy is just an inconvenience. The GOP is a broken, degenerate mess that is actively undermining everything this country stands for.
3
"deputizing his merry band of vote suppressors to justify his myth of illegal voters""
The allusion is a bit off, since Trump is hardly robbing from the rich to give to the poor. He sent a fortune to Afghanistan just now and is working to subtract millions from FEMA, even now, in order to gain further tax breaks, which even Ann Coulter opposes. And as far as federal flooding insurance is concerned, I think he wants to gut it altogether. . . .
To imply that he is an outlaw, as you may have been doing . . . well, let's find a dungeon and make sure that he and his merry men can't escape from there!
The allusion is a bit off, since Trump is hardly robbing from the rich to give to the poor. He sent a fortune to Afghanistan just now and is working to subtract millions from FEMA, even now, in order to gain further tax breaks, which even Ann Coulter opposes. And as far as federal flooding insurance is concerned, I think he wants to gut it altogether. . . .
To imply that he is an outlaw, as you may have been doing . . . well, let's find a dungeon and make sure that he and his merry men can't escape from there!
I'm blue in a red state. The electoral college means, to my mind, that my vote in federal elections rarely counts. When it comes to voter turn-out, I vote for standardization across the board, fewer inhibitions to getting to the polls and being allowed to vote, substantial campaign finance reform (repeal Citizens United and favoritism for "pay to play"), and a holiday on election day at least every four years.
Good work Gov. Bruce Rauner, now please go talk to your fellow GOP.
There should be nationwide voter registration standards and practices the States should be required to follow and implement. Why would or should voting rights be different in each state? We are all Americans and have a duty to vote.
We now have enough confirmation about how Trump thinks and it stinks. We know he would not support the right of all American citizens to vote and that stinks too.
The conundrum we face is that we will have to muster enough votes in the up coming elections to vote out Trump and his GOP cohorts and they are making it harder to do each passing day.
Calling our State legislators and Governors and pushing for the Illinois solution would be a step in the right direction.
There should be nationwide voter registration standards and practices the States should be required to follow and implement. Why would or should voting rights be different in each state? We are all Americans and have a duty to vote.
We now have enough confirmation about how Trump thinks and it stinks. We know he would not support the right of all American citizens to vote and that stinks too.
The conundrum we face is that we will have to muster enough votes in the up coming elections to vote out Trump and his GOP cohorts and they are making it harder to do each passing day.
Calling our State legislators and Governors and pushing for the Illinois solution would be a step in the right direction.
57
They are making it hard, but not impossible.
The missing Democrats and their non-existent leaders need to get to work and produce a plan for voter participation bigger and better than any program before it.
As the Republicans lie and cheat. As they work against Democracy and decency, the only way to defeat them is to vote. The majority of this country are against their policies and actions but it's useless unless they vote. The Republicans don't care what is being said about them. They stand in front of cameras and lie to the people of this country. As we said in Chicago where I grew up, throw the bums out.
The missing Democrats and their non-existent leaders need to get to work and produce a plan for voter participation bigger and better than any program before it.
As the Republicans lie and cheat. As they work against Democracy and decency, the only way to defeat them is to vote. The majority of this country are against their policies and actions but it's useless unless they vote. The Republicans don't care what is being said about them. They stand in front of cameras and lie to the people of this country. As we said in Chicago where I grew up, throw the bums out.
We need to make election day a federal holiday and voting mandatory. If you fail to vote, then you don't get paid for the holiday. In fact you should receive a small fine for failing to exercise the franchise. In some countries like Australia, you're fined for failing to vote.
Also, the presidential primary season should be much shorter. Voters should be allowed to vote in any primary they wish regardless of political party. Perhaps 4 regional primaries and then the general election within 90 or 120 days.
With shortened primary season, public financing of the campaigns and limits of perhaps $1000.00 dollars of all registered voters ONLY; no corporate donations. After all corporations are not human beings.
Two years of political propaganda during the present presidential election season is obscene and counter productive. It's way past time to reform the present antiquated electoral system.
Also, the presidential primary season should be much shorter. Voters should be allowed to vote in any primary they wish regardless of political party. Perhaps 4 regional primaries and then the general election within 90 or 120 days.
With shortened primary season, public financing of the campaigns and limits of perhaps $1000.00 dollars of all registered voters ONLY; no corporate donations. After all corporations are not human beings.
Two years of political propaganda during the present presidential election season is obscene and counter productive. It's way past time to reform the present antiquated electoral system.
1
The editorial failed to mention the other key asset of Oregon's election system: Vote by Mail. All registered voters receive secure ballots by mail for every election: local, state and national. There are no precinct polls, no lines on election day to stand in. Many years ago, Oregon got rid of polling stations and made the switch. If it could work for absentee voters with absentee ballots, it could work for everyone. And it does. The voter turn-out in this state with participatory values has risen to one of the highest in the nation. The latest 'motor-voter' registration system only added to the success. States with voting machines would do well to consider that the vote-by-mail method is hacking-free; no outside foreign geeks can break into it, because there are no wires leading out of voting machines that can be hacked. There are no mess-ups on election night. Right after the 8 pm deadline, out pop the results. The system has been deployed for many years in Oregon and it is long past time for other states to take notice. It is inexplicable that states like Texas even have disputes over the notion of making it easier for more citizens to vote. Depressing the vote is no core value of democracy. Making it easier to vote is a core value of democracy.
3
There are a couple of broad ways of looking at voting in a democratic society. One is that it should open to all citizens as an inherent right and accurately and impartially reflect the will of the voters, even when the results are less than wise. "Fairness" and accuracy are the basic guiding principles.
The other is that it is a process to be publicly and patriotically affirmed, but, as a practical matter, to be nudged in some predetermined direction, mostly by the existing power structure. Manipulation for political advantage is a primary consideration, in a word, the effective guiding principal.
Results of the latter view are reflected in Jim Crow, gerrymandering, and, more recently, various form of voter suppression. All applied or apply in Texas, where politicians fear the result of the "undesirable" voter, and, hence, invoke the guise of (undocumented) "fraud".
The other is that it is a process to be publicly and patriotically affirmed, but, as a practical matter, to be nudged in some predetermined direction, mostly by the existing power structure. Manipulation for political advantage is a primary consideration, in a word, the effective guiding principal.
Results of the latter view are reflected in Jim Crow, gerrymandering, and, more recently, various form of voter suppression. All applied or apply in Texas, where politicians fear the result of the "undesirable" voter, and, hence, invoke the guise of (undocumented) "fraud".
2
Thoughtful discussion here. I think that making election day a national holiday would increase voter turn-out. I waited three and one-half hours in chilly November temps last Nov to vote in Portland Maine's caucus. A young mom with an infant and a toddler in tow waited in line ahead of me; after two hours she took her crying toddler home as she couldn't wait any longer. My son owns a Portland restaurant and was planning to vote; I called him from the line and told him not even to come by as it would be hours before he got in. Many Americans are in situations such as my son and the young mom. A national holiday would help get more people to the polls.
13
I see no problem with the Republicans attempting to suppress fraudulent voting. Most fraudulent voting occurs in cities, normally controlled by Democrats. You need photo identification (ID) for just about any government service. If you can not figure out how to obtain a valid photo ID you should not be voting in the first place.
7
Again, another tipoff, moving from "we should prevent voter fraud" to "this group of citizen voters shouldn't be allowed to vote anyway" without so much as a pause.
Whenever the argument for IDs to vote ends with a note of satisfaction that CITIZENS couldn't vote, you know that it's about ending voting for citizens.
This argument is only notable in that it would rule out people who live independently of government services in a sort of a reverse Ayn Rand.
Whenever the argument for IDs to vote ends with a note of satisfaction that CITIZENS couldn't vote, you know that it's about ending voting for citizens.
This argument is only notable in that it would rule out people who live independently of government services in a sort of a reverse Ayn Rand.
3
In many states, a voter's registration card is an accepted form of ID. If that's not sufficient, than the state should be required to provide a valid form of ID to all registered voters. The whole intent should be to increase voter participation by eligible voters. Instead, what's happening is people are turned away for not having the 'right' ID. Really - a gun permit is ok, but a student ID isn't? That's suppression, clear & simple.
2
Stick to the facts, man! What evidence do you have that 1) there is any more than minuscule fraudulent voting, and 2) that "most fraudulent voting occurs in cities"?
2
Many interesting opinions above but the basic facts of the matter are that aside from so-called restrictions on registering to vote, there are few barriers to casting ballots despite outrageous political statements.
Two of the best inventions in Texas were the highway turnarounds and early voting days and hours which save trips and waiting at the polls, yet we still see roughly 50 percent of registered voters not casting ballots regardless of party sympathies.
Blame schools for lack of civics education and interest? No, I say blame the parents who offer poor examples of voting.
Two of the best inventions in Texas were the highway turnarounds and early voting days and hours which save trips and waiting at the polls, yet we still see roughly 50 percent of registered voters not casting ballots regardless of party sympathies.
Blame schools for lack of civics education and interest? No, I say blame the parents who offer poor examples of voting.
15
Parental examples can indeed be powerful. Before the era of absentee ballots, my mother insisted on stopping at the poll on the way home from surgery to vote. She was prepared, having read everything she could about the candidates and propositions, and had her notes ready. I've never forgotten that.
My understanding is that Texas has vast wide open spaces, so I assume that like the mostly rural SC county where I live, the poor may have not transportation to the polls. The polls may be five or six miles away, too far to walk especially for elderly and disabled voters and those with small children. This is a major hinderance to voting.
Low educational levels are another hinderance. Some issues are complex and require an understanding of finance, economics, geography and social science.
Some people may be afraid to vote due to discrimination and repercussions. Others may work others that prohibit voting in person and may be unaware that they can use an absentee ballot.
The issue is complex.
Low educational levels are another hinderance. Some issues are complex and require an understanding of finance, economics, geography and social science.
Some people may be afraid to vote due to discrimination and repercussions. Others may work others that prohibit voting in person and may be unaware that they can use an absentee ballot.
The issue is complex.
1
Not going to argue the wide open spaces issues.
But the fact of the matter remains that in the very heavily populated cities and counties, the physical turnout of registered voters remains abysmal.
But the fact of the matter remains that in the very heavily populated cities and counties, the physical turnout of registered voters remains abysmal.
Insuring that people can vote without too much difficulty is important, but more urgent would be the coverage of elections and local issues overall in the Times. The New York City section still feels like barely an afterthought. I thought I was informed until watching NY1 - the Road to City Hall - became a habit. Why should anyone care about how judges are elected and city council races? Well, if the issues were reported, people would care, and start voting. It's up to reporters to make this stuff interesting. NY1 does it, I'm sure the Times could too. Please.
6
Some people don't seem to realize that anybody from anywhere can get a US social security number. There is no relationship to US citizenship.
In states with liberal voter registration laws, anyone can register to vote. All they have to do is lie! They need an address and to swear on a form that they are an eligible citizen. There are no checks of felon, green card, immigration or any other records. Then, of course, there are those who use someone else's voter ID.
Just look at the US crime statistics. Less than half of all felonies are reported and less than 15% of those reported lead to a conviction. Less than 25% of property crimes are reported and less than 10% of those reported lead to a conviction. In a murder, you have a body or at someone is missing. In a property theft, the property is missing.
In voter fraud, there is no detection until an investigation after the fact.
Every one of the 135 million who voted in the last election are presumed to be legal votes. Are you kidding me?
Look at California. There are over 1 million convicted felons, 2 million green card holders and an estimated 2 million illegal immigrants.
By the way, the total population is counted in assigning the number of representatives from a state. That is right, illegal immigrants, green card holders, and children, regardless of where born, are counted! Look at where the politicians screaming for liberal voter registration are from.
In states with liberal voter registration laws, anyone can register to vote. All they have to do is lie! They need an address and to swear on a form that they are an eligible citizen. There are no checks of felon, green card, immigration or any other records. Then, of course, there are those who use someone else's voter ID.
Just look at the US crime statistics. Less than half of all felonies are reported and less than 15% of those reported lead to a conviction. Less than 25% of property crimes are reported and less than 10% of those reported lead to a conviction. In a murder, you have a body or at someone is missing. In a property theft, the property is missing.
In voter fraud, there is no detection until an investigation after the fact.
Every one of the 135 million who voted in the last election are presumed to be legal votes. Are you kidding me?
Look at California. There are over 1 million convicted felons, 2 million green card holders and an estimated 2 million illegal immigrants.
By the way, the total population is counted in assigning the number of representatives from a state. That is right, illegal immigrants, green card holders, and children, regardless of where born, are counted! Look at where the politicians screaming for liberal voter registration are from.
8
No, @Gene. I can destroy your poorly constructed argument with a counterexample. Here it is:
https://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/analysis/Briefing_Memo...
https://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/analysis/Briefing_Memo...
2
"In voter fraud, there is no detection until an investigation after the fact."
Right, and that's been done. The conclusion: voter fraud is negligible in past elections, so there's no reason to believe it's a problem for future elections.
"Some people don't seem to realize that anybody from anywhere can get a US social security number. There is no relationship to US citizenship."
I know that to be true: ironclad proof of citizenship won't get you a social security number. I walked into the SSA office with a beautiful, embossed Certificate of Citizenship from the Department of Homeland Security and that in itself wasn't enough to get an SS# from the exact same government that allowed ingress and permanent residence and a passport based on the same document. It took three trips and a fistful of additional documents to get a number.
Would you try to get an illegal SS number so you could have more votes than you were entitled to? Well, neither would anyone else.
"Look at California. There are over 1 million convicted felons, 2 million green card holders and an estimated 2 million illegal immigrants."
You've tipped your hand. You've included American citizens in the groups you don't think should be allowed to vote. I don't think anyone is surprised. The point of the baseless accusations of fraud was never was keeping non-citizens from voting, it was to keep citizens from voting.
Right, and that's been done. The conclusion: voter fraud is negligible in past elections, so there's no reason to believe it's a problem for future elections.
"Some people don't seem to realize that anybody from anywhere can get a US social security number. There is no relationship to US citizenship."
I know that to be true: ironclad proof of citizenship won't get you a social security number. I walked into the SSA office with a beautiful, embossed Certificate of Citizenship from the Department of Homeland Security and that in itself wasn't enough to get an SS# from the exact same government that allowed ingress and permanent residence and a passport based on the same document. It took three trips and a fistful of additional documents to get a number.
Would you try to get an illegal SS number so you could have more votes than you were entitled to? Well, neither would anyone else.
"Look at California. There are over 1 million convicted felons, 2 million green card holders and an estimated 2 million illegal immigrants."
You've tipped your hand. You've included American citizens in the groups you don't think should be allowed to vote. I don't think anyone is surprised. The point of the baseless accusations of fraud was never was keeping non-citizens from voting, it was to keep citizens from voting.
2
Utter nonsense. The penalty for voter fraud is 4 years prison time. The Bush Administration studied this and found 6 in 50 million. Fox lies. Republicans don't desire more voters, they desire less voters and thus the story about voter fraud. Suppression plain and simple.
2
"In the face of America’s abysmal voter participation rates, lawmakers have two choices: They can make voting easier, or they can make it harder."
Wrong. There's a third option: make voting mandatory.
The rights of citizenship are interlocked with the responsibilities of citizenship, though we seldom talk about the two together. Jury duty, paying taxes, obeying laws, act as a witness, defend the country if the need arises - these are mandatory responsibilities for all American citizens. Why not add "voting" to that (short) list? More than 25 industrialized countries around the world have some form of mandatory voting. Given the contentious politics around voting in the US, the history of segregation and racialized voter suppression, as well as the continued decline in voter turnout, maybe it's time Americans give mandatory voting more serious thought.
Wrong. There's a third option: make voting mandatory.
The rights of citizenship are interlocked with the responsibilities of citizenship, though we seldom talk about the two together. Jury duty, paying taxes, obeying laws, act as a witness, defend the country if the need arises - these are mandatory responsibilities for all American citizens. Why not add "voting" to that (short) list? More than 25 industrialized countries around the world have some form of mandatory voting. Given the contentious politics around voting in the US, the history of segregation and racialized voter suppression, as well as the continued decline in voter turnout, maybe it's time Americans give mandatory voting more serious thought.
7
I am a voting location manager--precinct captain--here in southern Ohio. In the 10 years I have worked for the Board of Elections most of the turnouts except for presidential elections and one to legalize marijuana are embarrassing--sometimes fewer than 10 percent of eligible voters actually participate. They won't even vote about how their money is spent to fund school systems or city repairs. The people who do come to vote are often unprepared--not having read or even being aware of issues beforehand or knowing anything about the candidates for whom they vote except the D or R behind their names on the ballot.
My point?
People need to educate and inform themselves in order to be effective citizens in a democracy. A majority of those who actually vote do not. Ignorance is not bliss at the ballot box. It is why we end up with incompetent candidates serving us at all levels of our government from the White House on down to the county commission. Who we elect reflects who we are and what we know or don't know when we vote.
We do need to make voting easier, but we also need voters who have educated themselves and vote in not only their own best interests but in the best interest of all Americans.
My point?
People need to educate and inform themselves in order to be effective citizens in a democracy. A majority of those who actually vote do not. Ignorance is not bliss at the ballot box. It is why we end up with incompetent candidates serving us at all levels of our government from the White House on down to the county commission. Who we elect reflects who we are and what we know or don't know when we vote.
We do need to make voting easier, but we also need voters who have educated themselves and vote in not only their own best interests but in the best interest of all Americans.
54
Great points, do we really want more uninformed, selfish, vote for party voters???
Sounds like some remedial classes in civic duty and the basic mechanics of democracy are in order.
The fundamental America value is that we are all created equal with certain unalienable rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This value is best exemplified by the individual right to vote for our elected representatives.
That my home state of Illinois has done something positive regarding voting rights reform is a source of some pride. Financial mismanagement, governing gridlock and corruption is what I typically expect on a politically bipartisan basis from the state capital in Springfield.
But the key insight that Illinois and Texas have different policies regarding voting rights for their citizens is that there is no national right to vote and thus we have no national election for President/Vice President. We have 50 state elections plus the District of Columbia with each entity deciding how to count their citizens votes towards allocation Electoral College.
The only democratic popular vote that matters is that in each state and D.C.. America is a divided limited power representative republic. America is not a national democracy.
The Founding Fathers feared democracy so much that they originally intended that only white Anglo-Saxon Protestant men who owned property should have the right to vote. And the only representative that they could directly vote for and elect was their representative in the House of Representatives. Expanding the right to vote is the fulfillment of the American dream.
That my home state of Illinois has done something positive regarding voting rights reform is a source of some pride. Financial mismanagement, governing gridlock and corruption is what I typically expect on a politically bipartisan basis from the state capital in Springfield.
But the key insight that Illinois and Texas have different policies regarding voting rights for their citizens is that there is no national right to vote and thus we have no national election for President/Vice President. We have 50 state elections plus the District of Columbia with each entity deciding how to count their citizens votes towards allocation Electoral College.
The only democratic popular vote that matters is that in each state and D.C.. America is a divided limited power representative republic. America is not a national democracy.
The Founding Fathers feared democracy so much that they originally intended that only white Anglo-Saxon Protestant men who owned property should have the right to vote. And the only representative that they could directly vote for and elect was their representative in the House of Representatives. Expanding the right to vote is the fulfillment of the American dream.
7
The fear of the founding fathers of democracy was well placed, and were they to be alive today they would be as adamant about having a "divided limited power representative republic (sic)" as they were then.
Unfortunately, in the recent past, the nation passed an constitutional amendment that altered the balances of power by allowing for the popular election of senators. This move towards "democracy" has turned the Senate from a body of statesmen into a body of rank, partisan politicians interested only in pursuing personal power...100 little people who think that THEY should be president.
Democracy is not civil means of governance without institutional and legal constraints. And as is the right of a citizen to vote, then only CITIZENS should be allowed to vote since it is in them that the power of The People is vested. Expanding voting to all RESIDENTS is a recipe for democratic disaster...one need only look to the French Revolution to see its potential for tyranny.
Unfortunately, in the recent past, the nation passed an constitutional amendment that altered the balances of power by allowing for the popular election of senators. This move towards "democracy" has turned the Senate from a body of statesmen into a body of rank, partisan politicians interested only in pursuing personal power...100 little people who think that THEY should be president.
Democracy is not civil means of governance without institutional and legal constraints. And as is the right of a citizen to vote, then only CITIZENS should be allowed to vote since it is in them that the power of The People is vested. Expanding voting to all RESIDENTS is a recipe for democratic disaster...one need only look to the French Revolution to see its potential for tyranny.
I agree, as long as it expands the right of legal, legitimate voters, and does not encourage voter fraud. There is nothing wrong with requiring an ID to vote. Everyone should have an ID. You can get one for free here in Texas. I voted in a very large group that was approximately 30% Hispanic, 30% black, 30% white, and 10% Asian. Nobody complained, everyone had their ID. No worries. The liberal media keeps fabricating these false stories about voter suppression, in hopes it will result in rules being relaxed to the point where many fraudulent votes will be cast, so they (liberals) can steal elections.
The 15th & 19th Amendments give citizens the right to vote. No where does it give the right to vote if I produce a driver's license. Just enforce the constitutional rights as written. Do not try to change the constitution by watering it down with suspect newly written laws.
10
Ok, tomjoe, I agree...Citizens have the right to vote.
But do non-citizens also have that right, and if they do not...as the 15th and 19th Amendments imply...isn't there an absolute right for the States, in whom the power to run elections is vested, to assure that ONLY citizens vote?
If you agree that there is a restriction on non-citizens voting, then you must agree to some mechanism that assures that ONLY citizens actually vote.
If you do not so agree, then you are being willfully obstructionist.
We can debate the means, but the right to control the vote is both absolute and constitutional as the States are granted the exclusive rights to do so within their borders.
But do non-citizens also have that right, and if they do not...as the 15th and 19th Amendments imply...isn't there an absolute right for the States, in whom the power to run elections is vested, to assure that ONLY citizens vote?
If you agree that there is a restriction on non-citizens voting, then you must agree to some mechanism that assures that ONLY citizens actually vote.
If you do not so agree, then you are being willfully obstructionist.
We can debate the means, but the right to control the vote is both absolute and constitutional as the States are granted the exclusive rights to do so within their borders.
I'm on record here for keeping voting as hard as it is. However, I wouldn't make it harder based on artificial criteria such as race, ethnicity, economic class or even propensity to vote one set of convictions as opposed to another, but as a general matter that affects everyone. The notion that facilitating voting to the point of triviality somehow improves the quality of our governance is not a compelling argument. The exponents of such a travesty either believe that as a society we risk going to hell but that it's somehow legitimate if we do it collectively in our own individual handbaskets by artificially maximizing voter turnout; or they believe that by roping in the large minority of people entitled to vote but who normally are disinclined to inconvenience themselves somehow furthers one ideological worldview over another because such people are more manipulable by one side over the other. In either case they're just wrong.
I have no problem with Illinois's automatic voter registration decision because registering to vote is not voting -- so long as citizenship is confirmed at a DMV before voting registration takes place. But I favor keeping election days on Tuesdays and I have no problem with insisting on presentation of voter-IDs at the time of casting a vote, where states require such identification. But I also favor facilitating the acquisition of such documents by citizens when it's difficult for them to take the required time or pay for them.
I have no problem with Illinois's automatic voter registration decision because registering to vote is not voting -- so long as citizenship is confirmed at a DMV before voting registration takes place. But I favor keeping election days on Tuesdays and I have no problem with insisting on presentation of voter-IDs at the time of casting a vote, where states require such identification. But I also favor facilitating the acquisition of such documents by citizens when it's difficult for them to take the required time or pay for them.
6
I'm just not in favor of putting "D" buttons (but not "R" buttons) on every beer bottle in America and tying them to WIFI-based auto-capture voting software. I'm certainly adamantly against mandatory voting. If voting is so unimportant to some that they're unwilling to find the time, get to polling places and wait in line, then we're better off without their disengaged and probably uninformed vote. I'm NOT in favor of facilitating voting by mail-in means. However, just as we require employers to tolerate absences of employees due to Reserve military and National Guard service commitments, employers should be required to pay employees for the time they take to vote.
Texas and other states are not well-advised to base their requirements on racism and ethnic exclusionism -- indeed, where such motivations are proven, resulting laws should be vacated by court rulings. Standard Republican curmudgeonliness and the convictions I've outlined above should be their proper basis for legislating tougher voter-ID laws.
Voting is not a mutual suicide pact, folks. People so disengaged that they need voting to be made effortless to bother exercising this basic right don't improve the quality of our governance by their endlessly-and-artificially-facilitated votes, they dilute it.
Texas and other states are not well-advised to base their requirements on racism and ethnic exclusionism -- indeed, where such motivations are proven, resulting laws should be vacated by court rulings. Standard Republican curmudgeonliness and the convictions I've outlined above should be their proper basis for legislating tougher voter-ID laws.
Voting is not a mutual suicide pact, folks. People so disengaged that they need voting to be made effortless to bother exercising this basic right don't improve the quality of our governance by their endlessly-and-artificially-facilitated votes, they dilute it.
3
Voting for all necessitates good Education for all.
Cutting down on government is the same as restricting voting.
Capitalism pushing away Socialism is also similar.
Socialism pushing away Capitalism is also similar.
Same with wanting human rights while selling weapons galore.
Same as "sprawling" Houston while setting weak building codes.
etc.
All of this is similar to riding a bicycle. Either you learn to "check and balance" conflicting forces or you don't (and thus hit your face on the pavement).
Cutting down on government is the same as restricting voting.
Capitalism pushing away Socialism is also similar.
Socialism pushing away Capitalism is also similar.
Same with wanting human rights while selling weapons galore.
Same as "sprawling" Houston while setting weak building codes.
etc.
All of this is similar to riding a bicycle. Either you learn to "check and balance" conflicting forces or you don't (and thus hit your face on the pavement).
1
When a child is born in the US, you can obtain a social security number for the child when you provide the info needed for birth certificate. From the Social Security Administration:
"When you give information for your baby’s birth certificate, you’ll be asked whether you want to apply for a Social Security number for your baby. If you say “yes,” you need to provide both parents’ Social Security numbers if you can. Even if you don’t know both parents’ Social Security numbers, you still can apply for a number for your child."
There is no reason why the states can't work with the Social Security Administration to get the information needed to automatically issue voter registration cards to natural born US citizens.
Naturalized citizens are given an opportunity to register to vote at the time of the naturalization. There is no reason why this shouldn't be automatically done either.
The only information that may be missing is party affiliation which the voters can opt to do at their convenience.
The question is whether the politicians want this process to happen or not.
"When you give information for your baby’s birth certificate, you’ll be asked whether you want to apply for a Social Security number for your baby. If you say “yes,” you need to provide both parents’ Social Security numbers if you can. Even if you don’t know both parents’ Social Security numbers, you still can apply for a number for your child."
There is no reason why the states can't work with the Social Security Administration to get the information needed to automatically issue voter registration cards to natural born US citizens.
Naturalized citizens are given an opportunity to register to vote at the time of the naturalization. There is no reason why this shouldn't be automatically done either.
The only information that may be missing is party affiliation which the voters can opt to do at their convenience.
The question is whether the politicians want this process to happen or not.
12
Republicans fear and oppose American democracy.
Republican plutocrats want to minimize the number of people voting.
Republican plutocrats want to minimize the number of people voting.
8
Nope. Just want to minimize the number of fraudulent votes. And democRats want to increase those fraudulent votes to steal elections. Plain and Simple.
You, too, Been There, should fear and oppose democracy. It is a fickle and often brutal system of governance.
You need to remember that our system of governance is a FEDERAL REPUBLIC. And, in spite of all of the years that have passed since our Constitution was ratified in 1787, our States still retain an out-sized influence on the affairs of our nation.
Be afraid of democracy, VERY afraid.
Why? Because when the winds of politics turn against you, they can blow a viscous firestorm that an threaten your very existence.
You need to remember that our system of governance is a FEDERAL REPUBLIC. And, in spite of all of the years that have passed since our Constitution was ratified in 1787, our States still retain an out-sized influence on the affairs of our nation.
Be afraid of democracy, VERY afraid.
Why? Because when the winds of politics turn against you, they can blow a viscous firestorm that an threaten your very existence.
using everything possible to stay in power---gerrymandering, blocking folks from voting,and if they could do it, a poll tax.
9
The only "blocking" of voters I saw last November, was the BLM and Antifa thugs in Philly, who the stupid local pols saw fit to allow them to stand at the doors to the polling places, armed with clubs, intimidating white voters.
Automatic voter registration for the GOP means no more governing. This is why they will be against it. The GOP is not the party of common sense & it is not the party of democracy.
Automatic voter registration, getting rid of gerrymandering, the electoral college, & the GOP is dead. Simple.
Automatic voter registration, getting rid of gerrymandering, the electoral college, & the GOP is dead. Simple.
6
The GOP does not govern. They rule.
1
Besides the many who won't register, about half of the registered won't actually vote. Lots of reasons/excuses. So, make voting mandatory. Also make mandatory the universal inclusion of "None of the Above" for all primaries and elections, all levels. Whenever "None of the Above" wins, then a new election must be held within 60 days and WITHOUT any of the candidates who lost to "None of the Above", i.e. they're ineligible until the next term's election. When no majority (50%+1) candidate wins, then always require runoffs for both primaries and elections between candidates with the top two vote totals, again with "None of the Above" always one of the choices.
5
Reasonable suggestion, McG.
But it would need to be coupled with significant limitations on the lengths of campaigns and absolute limits as to how much money a candidate can actually receive in any election cycle. (No campaign-fund carry overs...either spend it or it goes to international charity. No PACs, no separate campaign committees collecting funds.)
But it would need to be coupled with significant limitations on the lengths of campaigns and absolute limits as to how much money a candidate can actually receive in any election cycle. (No campaign-fund carry overs...either spend it or it goes to international charity. No PACs, no separate campaign committees collecting funds.)
That a 'mature' democracy, like the United States continues to build barriers to voting is very dangerous for its survival. And this is the doing (and its undoing) of the republicans, as racism seems 'alive and well', not wanting to recognize the increasing diversity of people conforming the U.S. population. This is shameful and irresponsible, as it leaves vital segments at the margins, that ought to be included so to contribute to this 'experiment' in equality, freedom and justice. Especially so in a capitalistic society where the 'rich and powerful' trump the great majority (confined to taking the crumbs of a rich but unequal society, a violence of sorts).
2
Why don't you folks see that the only barriers being attempted, are those to prevent fraudulent votes? It is simple, quick, and easy to get a free photo ID in Texas, and just as painless to vote. This is a bunch of liberal propaganda, hoping to water down the rules until the rest of the US is like corrupt Illinois, where the long dead are permitted to vote multiple times on a single day. (As long as they vote DemocRat).
Building barriers to voting by those who are NOT ENTITLED TO VOTE is essential to the nation's survival as the nation that we are.
To do otherwise would be to sacrifice this "noble experiment" to those with no stake in it.
To do otherwise would be to sacrifice this "noble experiment" to those with no stake in it.
The Republican "War on Voter Fraud" is a farce. There is no proof of any significant amount of voter fraud to date and yet it is constantly claimed to be present at election time to rile the GOP voter base. "Certainly the GOP can't be a voting minority?" is their dumbfounded claim.
Shame on the GOP for gerrymandering and voter suppression.
Shame on the GOP for gerrymandering and voter suppression.
20
If states resist providing basic voter data there will continue to be no proof.
2
If states do provide "basic voter data" to the War on Voter Fraud, they are setting voters up for harassment from our current government and future hackers. How is it the NRA can not allow this sort of information to be collected when it could be used to reduce gun deaths and promote research, but states are not allowed to prohibit collection?
4
This has been studied. The Bush Administration spent $ 50 million after firing the many of the Attorney Generals. They found very little. And the penalty is 4 years to vote improperly.
2
What really scares the Republican representatives in Texas is that Hilary Clinton received over 40% of the vote. This in one of the most gerrymandered states in the Union. They are running scared because Republican's "arguments" and "philosophy" only work on about 20% of the population, and that proportion is shrinking in many red states, so they must keep as many of those voters away as possible. Simple, evil, and anti-American.
7
No, if you eliminate all the fraudulent HRC votes, she only got 14% of Texas.
Good grief. No one is scared by the fact that Hillary got 40% of the Texas vote.
And as for gerrymandered states? Look at the district maps of Maryland and Massachusetts...their maps are ludicrous. And then you can go to both Michigan and Illinois to see what lengths the map-drawers went to use "race" as a measure to assure the existence of majority minority districts.
If gerrymandering is evil, then it should be considered evil every where it occurs, wouldn't you think?
And as for gerrymandered states? Look at the district maps of Maryland and Massachusetts...their maps are ludicrous. And then you can go to both Michigan and Illinois to see what lengths the map-drawers went to use "race" as a measure to assure the existence of majority minority districts.
If gerrymandering is evil, then it should be considered evil every where it occurs, wouldn't you think?
If a party has a platform worth voting for, it won't work so hard to keep people from voting.
5
The most interesting part of this article, to be, was the case of Oregon, where an increase in registration led to an increase in turnout. I hadn't expected that to be the case. Democrats have a reasonable advantage in terms of registration already as far as I know.... they simply don't turn up on voting day, the story goes.
Voter suppression is dastardly. I am disgusted by it. Automatic registration appears to be a reasonable way to mitigate, so, in an unsurprising turn, shame on Texas.
Voter suppression is dastardly. I am disgusted by it. Automatic registration appears to be a reasonable way to mitigate, so, in an unsurprising turn, shame on Texas.
1
If automatic voter registration eliminates fraud; great, if not poor. People seem to know how to game the system so I would not be surprised to learn about a glitch.
The comments are confusing voter access with voter participation; while the first does not guarantee the second, the second is lost without the first. Enabling citizens, all citizens, to vote should be a government's duty and since so many seek to suppress voting for party gain (cynically calling it politics) the fervor for insuring access should be seen as an indicator of worth. Ask each candidate, what are you going to do to guarantee every citizen the ability to vote? And vote against evasion or platitudes.
2
The kicker in your suggestion Gerard, are the words "all citizens".
That is what the voter identification laws is trying to address.
I don't know how big the voter fraud problem is, but it certainly DOES occur, and it does occur all across the nation.
What I find odd is the number of people, mostly liberal, who are dead set against any organized effort to define just how wide-spread and how significant the fraud might be.
I would think that the opponents of such research, if they were so confident that voter fraud is insignificant would rejoice over a study that show the fraud to be irrelevant. Were that to be the results of the study it would be a club with which to beat the opposition into semi-permanent silence on the issue.
Is "the left" afraid that the charges of election fraud are both accurate and meaningful?
Come now, you're amongst friends here on the NY Times. You can answer the question honestly...Not that many people will be appalled by your hypocrisy.
That is what the voter identification laws is trying to address.
I don't know how big the voter fraud problem is, but it certainly DOES occur, and it does occur all across the nation.
What I find odd is the number of people, mostly liberal, who are dead set against any organized effort to define just how wide-spread and how significant the fraud might be.
I would think that the opponents of such research, if they were so confident that voter fraud is insignificant would rejoice over a study that show the fraud to be irrelevant. Were that to be the results of the study it would be a club with which to beat the opposition into semi-permanent silence on the issue.
Is "the left" afraid that the charges of election fraud are both accurate and meaningful?
Come now, you're amongst friends here on the NY Times. You can answer the question honestly...Not that many people will be appalled by your hypocrisy.
As an Illinois resident and a caustic, cynical critic of Gov. Bruce Rauner, I am both stunned and leery of his political motives. Perhaps, in this major blue state, lying high atop the country's geographical (northern) tier, Gov. Rauner is re-working a "do-over" of his own.
While he continues to starve the state's college, university, community college and public schools of money to inch us forward out of his Dark Age of Ignorance, he is bedeviled by poor polling and a widespread lack of confidence. Indeed, most Illinoians can't help but regret voting him into office so he can wage the identical campaign of government de-construction as successfully practiced by his neighboring soul-mate, Scott Walker in Wisconsin.
But the editorial here is correct in that Republicans want both a smaller government run by a white minority so as to practice the party's age-old philosophy of divide (by illegal or immoral methods) and conquer (the disenfranchisement of citizen pritections), the sole end being the permanent installation of wealth and race as the nation's governing principles.
This is no accident.
While he continues to starve the state's college, university, community college and public schools of money to inch us forward out of his Dark Age of Ignorance, he is bedeviled by poor polling and a widespread lack of confidence. Indeed, most Illinoians can't help but regret voting him into office so he can wage the identical campaign of government de-construction as successfully practiced by his neighboring soul-mate, Scott Walker in Wisconsin.
But the editorial here is correct in that Republicans want both a smaller government run by a white minority so as to practice the party's age-old philosophy of divide (by illegal or immoral methods) and conquer (the disenfranchisement of citizen pritections), the sole end being the permanent installation of wealth and race as the nation's governing principles.
This is no accident.
10
Every democracy in the world makes it easier for its citizens to vote. Except one. American Exceptionalism!
3
100% not true. Try voting in Canada or Western Europe. Voting is like going to 7/11 and buying a soda here vs going to an airport in Europe. Need an actual ID.
2
That's odd. Most other countries require voter ID. For example you can't vote in any of the EU countries without one. American exceptionalism...yeah, most countries require voter ID except the United States.
2
But in the US, states require ID's for voting and then make it more difficult to obtain the ID's. Think of all of the DMV offices closed in places like Alabama and Wisconsin in "support" of their voter ID laws.
Keep'm barefoot, ignorant and pregnant. And never, ever, ever let a minority vote. Do anything short of beating them to death in public view. In an alley is ok. From a statistical perspective there is no voter fraud. If you want to contest a ballot, but them in a "needs to be checked" box and keep the voters coming. If the race is too close to call check the box with the contested ballots. This is not rocket science, that is why Great Obstructionist Party pushes this integrity idea. They have none so they make it up.
1
"Keep'm barefoot, ignorant and pregnant." - That is the Democratic way, and once you add in the evil LBJ/DemocRAT "buying" of the minority votes which has been plaguing this country since the mid-1960's, that has been the Dems only means of winning ANYTHING.
Voter suppression efforts are funded by the financial tentacles of the Koch Brothers, and their leader is Kansas AG Kris Kobach. These are uncontested facts and they should be boilerplate in any article on the subject.
3
The majority of Americans disagree with the Republicans on most of the issues, from gun control to birth control. They can't win on the merits. So they cheat.
16
Those voters are concentrated in costal cities and vote as they wish.
@Daphne: Gerrymandering, voter suppression, Putin's election interference. Trump benefitted from the latter in the areas you mention, where some Sanders fans who eagerly believed Russian lies about Clinton voted for the Libertarian and Green Party candidates.
1
Ken Paxton may soon find himself without the right to vote, as he has been charged with Federal felony fraud. A delicious helping of irony, with a side of deserved retribution, please.
2
You say Illinois' voter registration system is "right," but that's only true if the goal is to get as many citizens as possible to the polls. I'm sure the Texas legislature believes their system is "right" because it's helping achieve their goals of restricting the voting franchise and shrinking the pool of eligible voters as much as possible.
I live in Illinois, and we have early voting with several locations. With this new law, one has to be trying hard NOT to be a responsible citizen. Another way is for eligible students to receive their voter card when they graduate high school to take effect on their 18th birthday.
Election Day ought to be a national holiday.
We get the government we deserve.
Election Day ought to be a national holiday.
We get the government we deserve.
29
Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, deserves credit for doing the right thing and enacting automatic voter registration.
But he is not your typical Russian-Republican who would rather work full-time at suppressing the vote by hook or by crook in the name of 'free-dumb' to maintain power at all corrupt, fascist costs.
Voter suppression is a classic 3rd-world tactic, and Republicans excel at it as they continue to do their unAmerican best to turn America into a disgraceful 3rd-world state.
Republistan is just another Russian Republic with no sense of civil rights, democracy or political modernity.
But he is not your typical Russian-Republican who would rather work full-time at suppressing the vote by hook or by crook in the name of 'free-dumb' to maintain power at all corrupt, fascist costs.
Voter suppression is a classic 3rd-world tactic, and Republicans excel at it as they continue to do their unAmerican best to turn America into a disgraceful 3rd-world state.
Republistan is just another Russian Republic with no sense of civil rights, democracy or political modernity.
134
Gov. Bruce Rauner, fyi, was responsible for the fact that for two years IL did not have a budget. Why? Because he wanted to cut funding for public services and enact tax cuts for the wealthy. The Democratic legislature finally overrode his vetoes and raised the state income tax rate because IL was bankrupt and about to have its credit rating reduced to junk status.
Rauner now faces a tough reelection battle. Of course he needs a bone to throw to voters in this BLUE state. If he vetoed voting rights, I can guarantee that wouldn't go over very well with voters who voted a Republican U.S. Senator, Mark Kirk, out of office in favor of Democrat Tammy Duckworth.
So please, spare me the accolades for Rauner. He's no better than any other self-serving Republican in Congress or anywhere else. He just might have more of a sense of self-preservation than some.
Rauner now faces a tough reelection battle. Of course he needs a bone to throw to voters in this BLUE state. If he vetoed voting rights, I can guarantee that wouldn't go over very well with voters who voted a Republican U.S. Senator, Mark Kirk, out of office in favor of Democrat Tammy Duckworth.
So please, spare me the accolades for Rauner. He's no better than any other self-serving Republican in Congress or anywhere else. He just might have more of a sense of self-preservation than some.
6
Starting in school at the earliest possible age, children should be encouraged to discuss and to implement their personal opinion/power in a reasonable way....this takes a trained teacher and a team of well educated administrators to plan and carry out...even the smallest tot can have a voice in whatever group tasks or activities need doing.....they can and should learn the rules, the procedures and the effects of responsible citizenship, right there in the sandbox. However, the parents are the primary authorities and their guidance overshadows what happens at school when their children are learning citizenship and cooperation.....think we can agree on what to to together without starting the "homework wars" all over again? I certainly hope so...sending blessings to all the children beginning school this month and to those who need our help to just survive the trials climate change imposes.
4
Good for Illinois, but the process Is still rigged against Americans. Most people who don't vote feel this way and think that their vote doesn't count. And if you live in a red state with restrictive voter ID laws, hacked electronic voting machines, parred down early voting hours and fewer voting sites or are the unfortunate casualty of interstate cross check, you would be right.
34
I don't see how registering to vote when visiting the DMV, which implies one has a driver's license, supports the Editor’s point that an appropriate ID should not be a requirement for voting. Beyond that, registering to vote is not voting. Acting as a citizen requires one make an effort. It is far more likely that low voter turn out is linked to apathy, disengagement, and simple disappointment in the options than basic requirements to show identification. More effective at boosting turn out would be to assure that people have time and opportunity to vote. Time off from work, widely dispersed voting locations, early and late hours, maybe a national holiday for the presidential election.
Democrats want to see more voters who vote Democrat, Republicans want to see more voters who vote Republican. Democrats are not interested in lowering the bar out of any sense of fairness or out of the goodness of their hearts. By all means let's get more people engaged in the electoral process, but understand what drives low participation. It's not lack of an ID. In most states people are correct in assuming (on an individual level) that the election is sewed up before it even begins.
As for the student ID line, I invite the judge or the editors to purchase a six-pack using a student ID. They will be in for a disappointment. Perhaps they can sue.
Democrats want to see more voters who vote Democrat, Republicans want to see more voters who vote Republican. Democrats are not interested in lowering the bar out of any sense of fairness or out of the goodness of their hearts. By all means let's get more people engaged in the electoral process, but understand what drives low participation. It's not lack of an ID. In most states people are correct in assuming (on an individual level) that the election is sewed up before it even begins.
As for the student ID line, I invite the judge or the editors to purchase a six-pack using a student ID. They will be in for a disappointment. Perhaps they can sue.
6
I invite anyone to use a gun license to buy a six pack. They'll be equally disappointed.
1
No doubt, but you will need another ID (or two) to apply for a gun license moot.
As a householder in Britain I get a form periodically in which I am required to list all in the household who are of voting age. I must not include foreigners. The Electoral Role is held by the local authority and can be inspected and challenged by anyone. Voting districts and set out every 10 years by a committee chosen for their integrity. Their work seems to me to be helped by their apparent contempt for politicians.
This could give a fair election except that a first past the post ensures that many votes are wasted. Proportional representation would be fairer but I have yet to see a viable system proposed.
This could give a fair election except that a first past the post ensures that many votes are wasted. Proportional representation would be fairer but I have yet to see a viable system proposed.
3
As a voter in Illinois, I do not recommend the nation to adopt anything that is legislated there:
First, the voter ID is unconstitutional, because no law requires a US citizen to carry any ID. I always get into an argument at airports, Social Security offices, banks, and other such places where one is asked to show a picture ID.
Second, Illinois has a primitive system of electronic write-in vote in national elections: only the name of the write-in candidate for President can be entered, the name cannot be longer than three words, and no candidate for Vice-President is accepted.
Third, Illinois is one of the States that has exploited the loophole in the 2nd Amendment and restricted drastically the citizen's right to bear arms. The loophole was created by Founding Fathers' omission of three critical words, "... EVERYWHERE AND ALWAYS ...".
First, the voter ID is unconstitutional, because no law requires a US citizen to carry any ID. I always get into an argument at airports, Social Security offices, banks, and other such places where one is asked to show a picture ID.
Second, Illinois has a primitive system of electronic write-in vote in national elections: only the name of the write-in candidate for President can be entered, the name cannot be longer than three words, and no candidate for Vice-President is accepted.
Third, Illinois is one of the States that has exploited the loophole in the 2nd Amendment and restricted drastically the citizen's right to bear arms. The loophole was created by Founding Fathers' omission of three critical words, "... EVERYWHERE AND ALWAYS ...".
The omission of those three words (EVERYWHERE AND ALWAYS) from the second amendment was no accident. Neither was James Madison's inclusion of the condition "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,"
3
umm we're talking about voter suppression here, not the second amendment...
You must be the one person in Evanston who voted for Trump.
Anyone can get a photo ID. My mom, who only drove a jeep in the army during WWII as a WAC, never obtained a driver's license, but she still got a photo ID so she could vote.
By the way, do you even know why photo IDs are required at airports, in particular? You ought to find out. You might appreciate the answer.
Anyone can get a photo ID. My mom, who only drove a jeep in the army during WWII as a WAC, never obtained a driver's license, but she still got a photo ID so she could vote.
By the way, do you even know why photo IDs are required at airports, in particular? You ought to find out. You might appreciate the answer.
2
That's just what we need is Chicago style voting.
I used to live there.
I am probably still voting there,
I probably will always be voting there long after I am gone.
I used to live there.
I am probably still voting there,
I probably will always be voting there long after I am gone.
6
Indeed. Early and often.
2
Oh please, just stop repeating that old canard. Politics in New Jersey aren't much better than ours in Illinois. If I wanted to live in pure white lily land where all the inhabitants are reasonable (and boring and unintellectual), I'd move to Iowa.
7
In Texas, you might not be voting at all.
2
Were there equal penalties for preventing a legal voter from expressing their fundamental right as Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, etc. impose for illegal voters, perhaps this might get everyone's attention. The right to vote is democracy. Period.
11
As an Illinois resident, I am happy to see these changes. But what is needed is a better way to get US citizens interested in voting. There certainly are many reasons why people don't vote, and I would wager that a lack of understanding the issues might be one of them. Macro/microeconomics, public policy, foreign policy, etc are complex topics. Not all high schools sufficiently teach these topics to enable voters to made educated and rational decisions at the voting booth. Improving the education of these topics as well as critical thinking skills may help in this regard.
44
"But what is needed is a better way to get US citizens interested in voting"
How about giving US citizens something to vote FOR?
Our current duopoly offers up uninspiring puppets (aka candidates) who represent corporate and wealthy interests. That is not a formula to get people to the polls.
How about giving US citizens something to vote FOR?
Our current duopoly offers up uninspiring puppets (aka candidates) who represent corporate and wealthy interests. That is not a formula to get people to the polls.
YEs Topaz, but people often put the cart before th horse on this, expecting people to get engaged as a citizen firs, in order to prove that they are entitled to vote. What actually happens is that once it becomes easier to vote, more people are brought into the system, and political engagement will rise.
1
Yes few of our citizens have the capability of understanding the very complex issues of today, and many can't see past their bias, selfish interests or party affiliation either.
As a German citizen, I wonder what keeps you from issuing a personal ID at birth or after naturalization? This ensures all people are treated equal. No need to resort to gun permits or driver's licenses.
34
For many of our citizens, the right to free travel across states without showing papers is considered a foundational right. Past attempts to implement a national ID have been found unconstitutional. It is seen as a government violation of citizens' right to privacy and a Federal usurpation of States' rights. When the Social Security system was established, the creators were very clear that the SSN would not become a national ID.
Attitudes are changing as more of our lives become public via social media, and the conservative libertarians most opposed to any form of national ID are aging. They are still a vocal branch of our politically active citizens, notably among Ron Paul fans and Gary Johnson voters. So, while a National ID seems logical, there are significant, uniquely American barriers to implementing one.
Attitudes are changing as more of our lives become public via social media, and the conservative libertarians most opposed to any form of national ID are aging. They are still a vocal branch of our politically active citizens, notably among Ron Paul fans and Gary Johnson voters. So, while a National ID seems logical, there are significant, uniquely American barriers to implementing one.
3
Andre, the difference here is that a birth certificate just documents your birth - it doesn't document that you have specific Driver's Education training, or gun use training. Does a birth certificate certify this additional training, in Germany?
2
We do. It's called your social security number, which is used, overused, abused and a source of identity theft. Perhaps someday we will all stop denying science and use iris scanners.
3
In other words, a fractured democracy; hamstrung by gerrymandering, voter manipulation, and an electoral college that dates from the 18th century. There are no easy fixes. It is the UNITED States of America and authority given to the STATES is not easily taken away even if it is unconstitutional, unethical, and undemocratic.
8
"What’s really outrageous is the brazenness with which Republican lawmakers continue to hawk their antivoter laws, and their bogus claims of widespread fraud, pretending to care about electoral integrity when what they’re really after is a smaller, whiter electorate that they believe is their ticket to eternal victory."
And so far it has worked out: and with a Republican administration, who knows what the rulings will be. Over the course of these four years, Trump has the opportunity to pack federal courts, where lawsuits and appeals get adjudicated, with like-minded officials.
Yes, I know elections have consequences. I also know that 49% of eligible voters don't vote in national elections (forget the local ones). Compared to other countries, our "bastion of democracy" offers a sorry exhibit of universal franchise.
The war on "voter fraud" is the most bogus excuse for voter suppression I've seen in my lifetime. There are times I have to stare at my computer screen, and ask myself, what happened to our country?
As a junior high kid in NJ in the 60s, I won an essay contest on "Why My Parents Should Vote." Got to shake hands with my local representative, Republican of course.
Can you imagine that happening today, in today's political climate? We fought a revolution to win the right to self-govern.
And now, in some states, we need a movement to win that right back.
And so far it has worked out: and with a Republican administration, who knows what the rulings will be. Over the course of these four years, Trump has the opportunity to pack federal courts, where lawsuits and appeals get adjudicated, with like-minded officials.
Yes, I know elections have consequences. I also know that 49% of eligible voters don't vote in national elections (forget the local ones). Compared to other countries, our "bastion of democracy" offers a sorry exhibit of universal franchise.
The war on "voter fraud" is the most bogus excuse for voter suppression I've seen in my lifetime. There are times I have to stare at my computer screen, and ask myself, what happened to our country?
As a junior high kid in NJ in the 60s, I won an essay contest on "Why My Parents Should Vote." Got to shake hands with my local representative, Republican of course.
Can you imagine that happening today, in today's political climate? We fought a revolution to win the right to self-govern.
And now, in some states, we need a movement to win that right back.
125
Gee, in a Republican Massachusetts, your essay on "Why my parents should vote" won a contest and you shook hands with your local representative.
Now, in your state with a"political climate" that is one of the most strongly Democratic in the US, you fear that can no longer occur.
What do you think has changed?
Now, in your state with a"political climate" that is one of the most strongly Democratic in the US, you fear that can no longer occur.
What do you think has changed?
@Diogenes: you apparently didn't read my comment, as the contest was in New Jersey--never mind, I believe you got my point but choose to be snarky. What's changed is that I suspect only Democratic states believe voting is a right for everyone. Like Texas, Florida has a terrible record of voter suppression by constantly changing polling station hours, and restrictive ID laws. We've all seen the photos of long lines of Florida voters waiting as many as 8 hours to win the right to exercise a freedom won with our independence. Why does your state do everything it can to make it harder for urban (read, African American and Hispanic) voters to vote? I think you and I both know the answer to that.
77
She said she was a Jr. high kid in NJ when she won the contest.
3
Myth says it all when it comes to right wing policy changes. Whatever works to swing votes, perceptions or favor their way is acceptable. No matter its merit, validity or worth. I have come to the conclusion that the reason they remain silent in regard to Trump's governing worth is that he thinks and behaves just as disingenuously as they do.
37
If the ruling party believes that registering more voters will result in the ruling party being ousted, they are going to restrict voting. They may pretend all kinds of things - they are assuring that voters are citizens, they are assuring only one voter per person, they are being cost effective in hard times and consolidating polling places, they are keeping the voter rolls accurate. But the real goal is to hold onto the job.
We have courts to keep politicians honest, but in truth, the courts are too political as well.
So the reforms that will eventually sweep the nation will be on a backlash against our current ruling party, and backlashes are rarely pretty.
We have courts to keep politicians honest, but in truth, the courts are too political as well.
So the reforms that will eventually sweep the nation will be on a backlash against our current ruling party, and backlashes are rarely pretty.
18
What the GOP never seems to really get is that many immigrants and even a fair number of African-Americans are potentially GOP voters. Many of them are religiously conservative. Take away some of the GOP hostility to helping the struggling; disown the white supremacist crowd, and minorities who might agree with them on abortion, law & order, gay marriage etc., might very well go with the GOP candidate.
Of course, it is a stretch to imagine the current GOP giving up its appeal to the white-right or its hostility to the poor, but those they keep hurting are not really so alien to core GOP ideas as the GOP leaders seem to think.
Of course, it is a stretch to imagine the current GOP giving up its appeal to the white-right or its hostility to the poor, but those they keep hurting are not really so alien to core GOP ideas as the GOP leaders seem to think.
17
Many of those groups ARE GOP voters. They know that it is easy to register and vote. All of this supposed and mythical "voter suppression" is just more liberal/democrat whining. Being responsible, and voting, are both easy. But playing the blame game, and the race card, are easier for the intellectually lazy and those with an agenda of voter fraud.
Politics is all about winning and power. Democrats favor having as many people vote as possible believing that attracting minorities is their road to success. Republicans want to limit voting to whites as much as possible (without saying that's their aim). The policy should be following the constitution and guaranteeing all eligible voters the right to vote, The courts, for the most part, have sided with that constitutional guarantee. If that favors one party over the other so be it.
7
If we as a nation want to encourage more people to vote more often, then the leadership for both of this country's two dominant political parties must make the nomination of qualified, principled independent thinking candidates their first priority. It's actually much more complicated than that, and probably requires removal of all current party leadership in both parties, and the exclusion from candidacy of all party members who've ever accepted donations from a PAC, corporate lobbyist or foreign interest. But if we want to simplify the issue to its essence, then we should realize that voter participation will continue to be low so long as the differences between candidates in any given election is indistinguishable. The American people are convinced that they all lie, cheat and steal, and they don't believe their votes matter one way or another anymore. Present the people with a candidate who shows intellect, empathy and forthrightness, who is not too far right or left in political philosophy or beholden to party,and special interests. and then we will see more people will vote.
7
although it doesn't suit the agenda of the Democrats to load up the electorate with more low-information voters and single-issue voters, the founding fathers were at their core very conservative and terrified of mob rule. The bias towards smaller states, avoiding tyranny of the mob over the elite and voting enfranshisement criteria are all very much intentional in our political structure. If you're not happy with the current system then do the hard word to implement change.
Repubs are voter fraud purveyors
Lifting restriction naysayers,
Keep minorities out
Is what they're about
Freedom to vote waylayers!
Lifting restriction naysayers,
Keep minorities out
Is what they're about
Freedom to vote waylayers!
17
The tragic part of this is that it is one more acknowledgement of the reversal of gains achieved for "the common man" that occured during the New Deal. Back then laws, economic decisions and policy more favored the 99%. The result was a thriving middle class. Then, in the 70's, the revolt of the elites occured. White, middle class resentments were stoked by a resurgent GOP that strengthened as a backlash to civil rights. The Dixiecrats who kept minorities from joining the middle class now became Republicans, bringing along middle class voters who voted away their own economic gains in the name of God, guns, school choice and "values".
The vehicle for all this was via taking over government. The only source of power that could effectively stand up for the 99% was now increasingly working for the 1%. It was brilliant. Through redistricting and voter suppression, democracy was rolled back. Fake news and conspiracy flourished to keep adherents loyal to their own demise, because with democracy, once weakened, no one is protected from the unfairness and inequality that results. Once we lose sight of what we all were given as a birthright in order to have a free nation that worked for all of us, what we are left with is "a house divided against itself". We all lose while the class war of the wealthy against everyone else marches on while everyone else is fighting each other.
And I keep waiting in vain for the crisis that will wake up red staters who once were the New Deal.
The vehicle for all this was via taking over government. The only source of power that could effectively stand up for the 99% was now increasingly working for the 1%. It was brilliant. Through redistricting and voter suppression, democracy was rolled back. Fake news and conspiracy flourished to keep adherents loyal to their own demise, because with democracy, once weakened, no one is protected from the unfairness and inequality that results. Once we lose sight of what we all were given as a birthright in order to have a free nation that worked for all of us, what we are left with is "a house divided against itself". We all lose while the class war of the wealthy against everyone else marches on while everyone else is fighting each other.
And I keep waiting in vain for the crisis that will wake up red staters who once were the New Deal.
75
Let that crisis happen to you. Perhaps it will be a crisis of conscience.
@ Tom
Thank you for the insight on how a lot of the progress in the fifties and sixties was eroded in the seventies and onward. You are correct that some pain will most likely be involved in the re-acquaintance with their humanity, humility and themselves. Do not despair, there is an awakening beginning in your nation, help feed it.
Thank you for the insight on how a lot of the progress in the fifties and sixties was eroded in the seventies and onward. You are correct that some pain will most likely be involved in the re-acquaintance with their humanity, humility and themselves. Do not despair, there is an awakening beginning in your nation, help feed it.
The right to vote and the requirements thereof should be nationalized. There should be no difference from state to state. Instead of exercising states rights to improve access, deep red states are using the states rights issue increase political power. This is not only un American, it is essentially stripping away the basis of our republican democracy, which is the right to vote. Nothing is more fundamental.
Texas has just experienced a disaster of biblical proportions. The costs to recover will most likely exceed $100 billion dollars. Tens of million have been hurt.
The floodwaters did not discriminate. Rich or poor, black, brown or white, the waters came. They are all in it together, bound up by their suffering and loss.
That's how voting is supposed to work in a democracy. All are bound up together, regardless or race, creed or income.
If Texas can't learn that lesson from Harvey, then it's time to play hardball. I would make federal aid contingent upon Texas accepting the federal motor vehicle registration system. The cost is nil. The pain to do so is nil.
If Texas wants federal dollars to flow to help in the recovery, then the state should accept the voter requirements that allow voting in all elections.
We are all truly in this disaster together. The nation should rally to help Texas. It's high time Texas started acting like it is part of this nation.
Texas has just experienced a disaster of biblical proportions. The costs to recover will most likely exceed $100 billion dollars. Tens of million have been hurt.
The floodwaters did not discriminate. Rich or poor, black, brown or white, the waters came. They are all in it together, bound up by their suffering and loss.
That's how voting is supposed to work in a democracy. All are bound up together, regardless or race, creed or income.
If Texas can't learn that lesson from Harvey, then it's time to play hardball. I would make federal aid contingent upon Texas accepting the federal motor vehicle registration system. The cost is nil. The pain to do so is nil.
If Texas wants federal dollars to flow to help in the recovery, then the state should accept the voter requirements that allow voting in all elections.
We are all truly in this disaster together. The nation should rally to help Texas. It's high time Texas started acting like it is part of this nation.
235
I would suggest that your read the constitution, the United States is a representative republic, not a democracy. This is why, for national elections, we have an electoral college with 50 seperate states voting on the same day, we do not have a national election.
2
Every legal citizen in Texas that has the right to vote, can easily vote. What the Democrats and Liberals want, is greater opportunities to permit fraudulent votes. It is clearly obvious. There are no barriers to ANY legal voter here from casting their votes based on whatever flavor they are. There is nothing wrong with making sure only legal and proper votes are cast. The author SERIOUSLY thinks ANY state should model their system after the most disgustingly corrupt state in the union, which has more dead people voting than the rest of the country COMBINED??? That is worth a laugh...
1
You are wrong--read the reports on voting in Texas--not only do ID restrictions create real obstacles for some groups to vote, Texas simultaneously has made it more difficult to obtain the "free" IDs, closed DMV stations, restricted hours, etc, to keep free IDs from being easily and affordably obtained. Your assertions are not born out by reality.
1
Automatic voter registration is unlikely to make any significant increase in actual voters at the polls. We have tried motor voter, giving people weeks to vote and voting by mail (if you want fraud, try that!)... and the numbers don't really budge. Also, automatic registration often registers people to vote when they are young and uninterested - several years later when they go to vote they have often moved and their registration is useless. People register and vote when they know it makes a difference in their daily lives. For partisans it's a given, but more and more people don't identify with the major parties. For them, the whole process appears foreign as do the people running for office. Until that changes, the number of voters won't.
5
Perhaps you should re-read the article. It says clearly that voter participation increased in Oregon after automatic registration was instituted.
1
That is a bogus argument. While it is true that many folks don't think about elections until the last minute, the fact that they are registered gives them the opportunity to vote. In states where same-day registration is allowed (MN is one), voter turnout is very high. This recognizes the fact that lots of people fail to plan for their right to vote. The fact that they don't plan should not eliminate their right to vote.In most places, if they are not registered, they can not vote, a denial of their rights.
1
Please show the evidence you have that vote by mail increases fraud, we have evidence to the contrary here in Oregon. For one thing, there are paper ballots that can be checked if there is an audit. Also, our voter participation went up significantly after our motor voter law went into effect. DO you have any facts to back your claims?
3
I live in country where the vote is mandatory. This means that the majority of the voters does not care of politics, does not keep informed and decides whom to vote for in the eve of the election day or even in the voting station.
The registration system should be an easy way to commit the citizen to a responsible vote, simply by declaring “Yeas, I want to vote”.
In any case, I would be very interested to know how much will increase the voters participation with the automatic voter registration.
The registration system should be an easy way to commit the citizen to a responsible vote, simply by declaring “Yeas, I want to vote”.
In any case, I would be very interested to know how much will increase the voters participation with the automatic voter registration.
1
"Democrats lost seats in the [Oregon] State Legislature even though the new voters were more racially diverse than previously registered voters."
The public has no way of knowing if our election results are legitimate. Our ballots, the memory cards, and source code have been deemed to be "corporate property." The system has been set up for concealment. We don't conduct banking without a transparent and verifiable process, so why are we putting blind faith in secret vote counts?
Germany, Ireland, Austria, the UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries count their votes by hand. An Austrian court ordered a re-do of their presidential election because some votes were counted without observers present. Germany and Ireland went back to hand counting after realizing the vulnerabilities with computerized voting.
Victoria Collier: How to Rig an Election – The G.O.P. Aims to Paint the Country Red https://harpers.org/archive/2012/11/how-to-rig-an-election/
“It is Germany, however, that has now become the standard-bearer for clean elections. In 2009, that nation’s constitutional court upheld the basic principle of the public nature of democratic elections. By ruling that the vote count must be something the public can authenticate—and without any specialized expertise—the decision directly challenged the use of computers in elections. Ireland followed suit in June 2012, sending all its electronic voting machines to the scrap heap."
(cont'd below)
The public has no way of knowing if our election results are legitimate. Our ballots, the memory cards, and source code have been deemed to be "corporate property." The system has been set up for concealment. We don't conduct banking without a transparent and verifiable process, so why are we putting blind faith in secret vote counts?
Germany, Ireland, Austria, the UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries count their votes by hand. An Austrian court ordered a re-do of their presidential election because some votes were counted without observers present. Germany and Ireland went back to hand counting after realizing the vulnerabilities with computerized voting.
Victoria Collier: How to Rig an Election – The G.O.P. Aims to Paint the Country Red https://harpers.org/archive/2012/11/how-to-rig-an-election/
“It is Germany, however, that has now become the standard-bearer for clean elections. In 2009, that nation’s constitutional court upheld the basic principle of the public nature of democratic elections. By ruling that the vote count must be something the public can authenticate—and without any specialized expertise—the decision directly challenged the use of computers in elections. Ireland followed suit in June 2012, sending all its electronic voting machines to the scrap heap."
(cont'd below)
97
(2 of 2)
As election integrity advocate Jonathan Simon says ballots give us a false assurance since they almost NEVER see the light of day. Counting our votes in secret is no different than giving our ballots to a man wearing a magician's costume and a pin for his preferred candidate. He then goes behind the curtain to tally the votes. He comes out and says I’ve counted the ballots, shredded them, and announces the winner.
Jonathan Simon: 19 Big Myths About Our Elections That The Government And Media Hope You’ll Believe
http://codered2014.com/19-big-myths-elections-government-media-dont-want...
"Donald Trump was right in a twisted way. Trump claimed that the presidential election was 'rigged' against him. His advance declaration that he wouldn’t vow to accept the results of the election was met with loud efforts to reassure the public that our elections are safe, and rigging is not possible. That’s where the politicians and the media had it wrong. Politicians and the media want you to trust our election system and Americans do deserve that. But the solution is to make our election system trustworthy, not just to claim that it is.
"In thinking about our elections to come and how our votes are counted, there are some myths and facts we all should consider. As you read through the Myths and Facts below, judge for yourself how secure and worthy of trust our current election system is and how critical it is that we collectively take the necessary steps to fix it."
As election integrity advocate Jonathan Simon says ballots give us a false assurance since they almost NEVER see the light of day. Counting our votes in secret is no different than giving our ballots to a man wearing a magician's costume and a pin for his preferred candidate. He then goes behind the curtain to tally the votes. He comes out and says I’ve counted the ballots, shredded them, and announces the winner.
Jonathan Simon: 19 Big Myths About Our Elections That The Government And Media Hope You’ll Believe
http://codered2014.com/19-big-myths-elections-government-media-dont-want...
"Donald Trump was right in a twisted way. Trump claimed that the presidential election was 'rigged' against him. His advance declaration that he wouldn’t vow to accept the results of the election was met with loud efforts to reassure the public that our elections are safe, and rigging is not possible. That’s where the politicians and the media had it wrong. Politicians and the media want you to trust our election system and Americans do deserve that. But the solution is to make our election system trustworthy, not just to claim that it is.
"In thinking about our elections to come and how our votes are counted, there are some myths and facts we all should consider. As you read through the Myths and Facts below, judge for yourself how secure and worthy of trust our current election system is and how critical it is that we collectively take the necessary steps to fix it."
41
There were rigged elections long before there were voting machines.
1
KWB wrote: “There were rigged elections long before there were voting machines.”
It takes a long time to change 10,000 ballots by hand, it takes a couple of seconds to do it computer. Election rigging used to be retail, where it was limited to a particular district or state. Now, it’s wholesale, where hundreds of elections can be changed from anywhere in the country. Both sides used to do it. But since we moved to computerized voting the exit poll data and pattern evidence shows that the manipulations are in one direction: to the right.
There is no way that extreme right-wing Republicans should have 2/3 of the state legislatures and governorships, a large majority in the House, and a small majority in the Senate (the exit poll evidence shows that in the last election 4 Senate races were flipped).
It takes a long time to change 10,000 ballots by hand, it takes a couple of seconds to do it computer. Election rigging used to be retail, where it was limited to a particular district or state. Now, it’s wholesale, where hundreds of elections can be changed from anywhere in the country. Both sides used to do it. But since we moved to computerized voting the exit poll data and pattern evidence shows that the manipulations are in one direction: to the right.
There is no way that extreme right-wing Republicans should have 2/3 of the state legislatures and governorships, a large majority in the House, and a small majority in the Senate (the exit poll evidence shows that in the last election 4 Senate races were flipped).
4
Texas, like North Carolina, has no intention of becoming a blue state. Most southern states, especially Alabama and Mississippi, resorted to bloodshed and outright murder to prevent the enfranchisement of black citizens. Martin Luther King was a communist, so claimed the authorities, and civil rights workers were outside agitators.
Texas' attorney general believes that the right of minorities to vote is "outrageous". The GOP's claims that voter registration is fraudulent comes from the president. On voting reforms, Americans know how their president feels about that.
Texas' attorney general believes that the right of minorities to vote is "outrageous". The GOP's claims that voter registration is fraudulent comes from the president. On voting reforms, Americans know how their president feels about that.
128
You are so wrong. It is the Antifa and BLM thugs in Philadelphia who menaced and outright barred whites from voting there last November. I stood in line behind masses of people to vote here in TX, and they were black, white, Hispanic, and Asian. Guess what? All of us had ID's. You know, the type that every American should have in their wallet? You can get one for FREE here in TX, and everyone knows that.
They want blue state $ though via business or Federal support yet they reject blue state economic models. Strange.
2
Three guys standing outside one voting station (the basis of this ridiculous false claim of left wing voter suppression coming from right wing media) do not constitute large scale barring of voters. The accepted IDs in Texas are not free nor are they was to obtain, and they clearly discriminate against certain groups. Get real.
There is no path to a more unified or at least a majority of citizens in the middle between both extremes who have a say, unless the current trend of restriction is reversed.