Originally Posted By Darkbeer California law does NOT allow precienct workers to check ID's, with a recent new Federal Law that requires FIRST time voters to show an ID, but that can be something like an 24 Hour Fitness card...... Many folks want the law changed to require folks that they have the right to vote, and to vote in that precinct.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Many folks want the law changed to require folks that they have the right to vote, and to vote in that precinct.<< Sign me up for that. Once again, I strolled into my polling place and they had me sign my name on a page filled with the names of my neighbors. No ID required. A dishonest person could easily vote 10 + times by walking out and returning later. It's crazy that Iraq has a better election system than we do in California.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer <a href="http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/04/05/news/top_stories/4405194901.txt" target="_blank">http://www.nctimes.com/article s/2005/04/05/news/top_stories/4405194901.txt</a> >>Current law requires people who register to vote to sign an affidavit stating that they are citizens, but does not require them to provide proof of citizenship beyond signing the form. Once registered, voters need not present identification before voting at the polls. Wyland's proposal would require would-be voters to provide proof of citizenship in addition to the affidavit. It also would require voters to show identification each time they vote. "I don't think this targets anyone," Wyland said. "It says you have to demonstrate you're a citizen to register to vote ... and that we make sure every one person gets one vote. ... Those are the two most basic elements of a democracy."<<
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I don't disagree with what Wyland is saying or his proposal, but at least in my area, the problem goes far beyond whether or not illegal immigrants vote. I'm saying that anyone (including taxpaying citizens) can run roughshod over the rules and vote multiple times with very little worry that they'll get caught. Especially in a low turnout election like this one, one could go from polling place to polling place, pick one of the names on the list at random, and go ahead and vote as someone else. It's massive fraud just waiting to happen.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer I am all in favor of the system the Mexicans use... <a href="http://www.vdare.com/awall/voter_registration.htm" target="_blank">http://www.vdare.com/awall/vot er_registration.htm</a> >>Mexico has a better voter registration system than the United States. That may come as a shock to those who believe nothing in Mexico could be superior. Nevertheless, it is true. My wife is a Mexican citizen. I’ve accompanied her when she votes. (Being a non-citizen here, I don’t, of course, vote.) Every registered Mexican voter has a Voter ID card, complete with photograph, fingerprint, and a holographic image to prevent counterfeiting. At the Mexican polling station, there is a book containing the photograph of every voter in the precinct. This book is available to the poll workers and observers from various parties. If there’s a doubt as to someone’s identity, the poll workers can simply look up the person’s name and see if the photo matches up. The Mexican voter’s thumb is smudged with ink. That way, if he shows up at another polling site to vote, they know he’s already voted elsewhere. (The ink wears off after a few days.) It’s a good system. Sure, Mexico has many problems. But hey, they solved that one! << And this addresses problems before large illegal immgrations issues. Things like the long time jokes about dead folks voting in Chicago and other Eastern cities.... Heck, we need to show an ID to write a check, or use a credit card, why not to vote (and I agree with the Mexican system, where the Voter ID is free, to prevent a "poll tax"). Here is a great summary of things America should do to help secure the voting system.... <a href="http://www.american.edu/ia/cfer/" target="_blank">http://www.american.edu/ia/cfe r/</a> <a href="http://www.american.edu/ia/cfer/report/report.html" target="_blank">http://www.american.edu/ia/cfe r/report/report.html</a> >>EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Building confidence in U.S. elections is central to our nation’s democracy. At a time when there is growing skepticism with our electoral system, the Commission believes that a bold new approach is essential. The Commission envisions a system that makes Americans proud of themselves as citizens and of democracy in the United States. We should have an electoral system where registering to vote is convenient, voting is efficient and pleasant, voting machines work properly, fraud is deterred, and disputes are handled fairly and expeditiously. This report represents a comprehensive proposal for modernizing our electoral system. We propose to construct the new edifice for elections on five pillars: First, we propose a universal voter registration system in which the states, not local jurisdictions, are responsible for the accuracy and quality of the voter lists. Additionally, we propose that the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) develop a mechanism to connect all states’ list. These topdown and interoperable registration lists will, if implemented successfully, eliminate the vast majority of complaints currently leveled against the election system. States will retain control over their registration list, but a distributed database can remove interstate duplicates and help states to maintain an up-to-date, fully accurate registration list. This would mean people would need to register only once in their lifetime, and it would be easy to update their registration information when they move. We also propose that all states establish uniform procedures for counting provisional ballots, and many members recommend that the ballots should be counted if the citizen has voted in the correct jurisdiction. Second, to make sure that a person arriving at a polling site is the same one who is named on the list, we propose a uniform system of voter identification based on the "REAL ID card" or an equivalent for people without a drivers license. To prevent the ID from being a barrier to voting, we recommend that states use the registration and ID process to enfranchise more voters than ever. States should play an affirmative role in reaching out to non-drivers by providing more offices, including mobile ones, to register voters and provide photo IDs free of charge. There is likely to be less discrimination against minorities if there is a single, uniform ID, than if poll workers can apply multiple standards. In addition, we suggest procedural and institutional safeguards to make sure that the rights of citizens are not abused and that voters will not be disenfranchised because of an ID requirement. We also propose that voters who do not have a photo ID during a transitional period receive a provisional ballot that would be counted if their signature is verified. Third, we propose measures that will increase voting participation by having the states assume greater responsibility to register citizens, make voting more convenient, and offer more information on registration lists and voting. States should allow experimentation with voting centers. We propose ways to facilitate voting by overseas military and civilians and ways to make sure that people with disabilities have full access to voting. In addition, we ask the states to allow for restoration of voting rights for ex-felons (other than individuals convicted of capital crimes or registered sex offenders) when they have fully served their sentence. We also identify several voter and civic education programs that could increase participation and inform voters, for example, by providing information on candidates and the voting process to citizens before the election. States and local jurisdictions should use Web sites, toll-free numbers, and other means to inform citizens about their registration status and the location of their precinct. To improve ballot integrity, we propose that federal, state, and local prosecutors issue public reports on their investigations of election fraud, and we recommend federal legislation to deter or prosecute systemic efforts to deceive or intimidate voters. States should not discourage legal voter registration or get-out-the-vote activities, but they need to do more to prevent voter registration and absentee ballot fraud. Fourth, we propose ways to give confidence to voters using electronic voting machines that their votes will be counted accurately. We call for an auditable backup on paper at this time, but we recognize the possibility of alternative technologies to audit those machines in the future. We encourage independent testing of voting systems (to include voting machines and software source code) under EAC supervision. Finally, we recommend strengthening and restructuring the system by which elections have been administered in our country. We propose that the EAC and state election management bodies be reconstituted on a nonpartisan basis to become more independent and effective. We cannot build confidence in elections if secretaries of state responsible for certifying votes are simultaneously chairing political campaigns, and the EAC cannot undertake the additional responsibilities recommended by this report, including critical research, without gaining additional funds and support. Polling stations should be organized to reduce the chances of long lines; they should maintain "log-books" on Election Day to record complaints; and they need electronic poll-books to help voters find their correct precinct. HAVA should be fully funded and implemented by 2006.<<
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>We call for an auditable backup on paper at this time, but we recognize the possibility of alternative technologies to audit those machines in the future.<< Boy howdy. Those all look like reasonable proposals to me, DB.
Originally Posted By berol "We propose that the EAC and state election management bodies be reconstituted on a nonpartisan basis to become more independent and effective." I'd rather have them be split partisan so everyone can be rep'd. All those dinky little midwest counties would freak for budget if all this happened. "we ask the states to allow for restoration of voting rights for ex-felons (other than individuals convicted of capital crimes or registered sex offenders) when they have fully served their sentence." I thought all convicted felons could vote once parole ended. I'm not sure what the point of the () is. If they can reason, I don't care if they vote or not.
Originally Posted By seanyoda << I thought all convicted felons could vote once parole ended. I'm not sure what the point of the () is. If they can reason, I don't care if they vote or not. >> The rules vary from state to state. In California, convicted felons can vote once they complete parole. In Florida, convicted felons never regain their right to vote.
Originally Posted By berol Ohhhh, that explains why I used to think it wasn't allowed everywhere, then thought it was. Thanks.
Originally Posted By EdisYoda When I went to vote yesterday, I discovered that someone that I didn't know lived at my address. Had the same last name, but a different first name... maybe I should start asking for rent.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer ^What you should do is contact the Register of Voters and ask for an investigation of this person on the rolls.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder Often, previous residents will still appear on the rolls as registered voters. We've owned our house for three years now and the previous owners still show up on the rolls at our address. This is not unusual at all.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer ^Well, as the Carter-Baker report said, we need to clean up our voter rolls, and take care to transfer the voter to the correct preciect when they move. Also, we should check the death certificates (more than likely thru Social Security) and have those voters removed to prevent a family member from casting an extra vote.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Here is the proposed Voter Reform law that Missouri is considering.... <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/14565471.htm" target="_blank">http://www.kansascity.com/mld/ kansascity/news/local/14565471.htm</a> >>A look at major provisions in the voter identification bill passed Friday by the Missouri Legislature. ID REQUIREMENTS _ Requires all voters to show photo identification issued by Missouri or the federal government to cast a ballot starting in the November general election. _ Allows those without a proper photo ID to cast a provisional ballot until November 2008. The ballot would count if people sign an affidavit, present certain forms of identification and their signatures match those on file with the election authority. _ Allows people lacking any form of identification to cast provisional ballots until November 2008 if two election judges sign an affidavit that they know them. _ Allows the disabled, those with religious objections and senior citizens - those born before 1941 - to cast provisional ballots without providing a proper photo ID at any election. _ Provides nine mobile processing units to help the elderly and disabled needing photo IDs to vote to obtain a free state ID card. BALLOTS _ Eliminates the option of voting a straight-party ballot by checking one box. _ Makes provisional ballots contain the full slate of candidates, just as regular ballots must, instead of listing only the major races as is now the case. _ Requires all provisional ballots to be processed before election results are certified. _ Requires people to vote at the correct polling place and prohibits counting provisional ballots cast at the wrong polling place. VOTER REGISTRATION _ Prohibits people registering voters from being paid per name submitted. _ Requires people registering voters to sign up with the secretary of state's office and be registered Missouri voters. _ Repeals a law allowing those who think they were wrongly removed from the voter rolls to appeal to a court. _ Creates penalties for intimidating or preventing people from voting. VOTING PROBLEMS _ Establishes a process for people to file complaints about violations, or potential ones, of the federal Help America Vote Act with the secretary of state's office. _ Prevents state courts from extending polling hours. _ Creates a process for moving an election in case of a natural disaster or terrorist attack. ELECTION OFFICIALS _ Requires local election authorities to use the statewide voter registration database. _ Requires local election authorities to notify voters of the new photo ID requirements on voter cards they mail out before elections and the secretary of state to publicize the requirement. _ Makes the mobile ID card units and the secretary of state's notification requirements take effect immediately upon the governor's signature. _ Sets standards for counting ballots and determining voter intent in various types of balloting systems. --- Voter identification bill is SB1014.<< Sounds pretty good to me.
Originally Posted By berol Most sounds good. Some of it was kinda silly not to have been law already. I don't like a few things. For instance, I'd include economic need for free ID's and you should be able to prevent people from voting if they're not supposed to. I'd love to have the straight-party checkbox for november elections cuz I rarely stray. I'd be happy if we can get back to closed primaries.
