NYT/AP: States Debate Photo IDs at Polls

[DeepModem Mom]

States Debate Photo IDs at Polls
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: March 31, 2005


INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Legislation that would require voters to show photo identification before casting ballots has touched off fierce debate in three states, with opponents complaining the measures represent a return to the days of poll taxes and Jim Crow.

Lawmakers in Georgia and Indiana walked off the job to protest the proposals, which they say would deprive the poor, the elderly and minorities of the right to vote. Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, has already vetoed a similar measure and has vowed to do so again.

Republicans argue the bills would restore voter confidence and eliminate fraud without overly burdening voters, most of whom have driver's licenses or photo IDs anyway....

***

Nineteen states require voters to show identification, but only five of those request photo ID, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Those states -- Hawaii, Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina and South Dakota -- allow voters without a photo ID to present other forms of identification, such as a utility bill, or sign an affidavit of identity.

Critics say the measures in Indiana, Georgia and Wisconsin do not provide good alternatives for those without photo IDs....


http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Voter-Identification.html

[THUNDER HANDS]

1. technically I don't see much wrong with it

I mean, I know I've had the thought of just going back to polling places and saying I was my father, or uncle and voting under their names since they don't check ID's anyway.

I'm sure if I thought of it, someone else has too, and who knows how rampant a method of voter fraud this is.

[shoelace414]

3. If you didn't have a photo ID

how likley would it be you go to the DMV to get one just so you can vote?

It's a travesty that less than 50% of americans vote, and now we're adding another barrier.

[THUNDER HANDS]

6. so create voter ID cards

if there were cards especially made for voting, maybe more people would vote.

[shoelace414]

7. So you want people to have to go somewhere

to get a card that allows you to vote? oh yea.. and then find it on election day.

[shoelace414]

2. WI is going to pass it

but the Democratic Governor is going to veto it..

then in 2006....

[meganmonkey]

4. Gee, I'm so glad we are spending so much time on this,

an irrelevent issue (really - how many votes have been miscounted, uncounted, or wrongly cast due to lack of picture ID?!?!) when our whole election system needs major reform?!

Shouldn't we work on ways to stop the disenfranchisement, the racism, classism, partisan officials and un-auditable machines? Instead of finding ways to make voting MORE difficult for people?

:grr:

[Mist]

5. Yep - the issue isn't voter fraud, it's ELECTION fraud n/t

[WMliberal]

8. In my experience as an election officer, it wouldn't impact white middle-

class mothers more than any other demographic. They tend to be the most forgetful lot when it comes to carrying their drivers' licences. However in Virginia, even if they don't have their photo ID, all they need is a document with their name and address on it. 9 times out of 10, they'll at least have some sort of bill or bank statement on them with that info.