Go to show ID to attend DNC

[kytwell 179]

TURNOUT

Georgia first adopted a voter ID law in 2005 and won court approval to implement it in 2007. The law has now been in place for two major statewide general elections: 2008, when the presidential race was on the ballot, and 2010, when voters selected a new governor. Prior to the new law, voters had been able to present one of 17 forms of identification, including a utility bill.

Elections data reviewed by the AJC show that participation among black voters rose by 44 percent from 2006 — before the law was implemented — to 2010. For Hispanics, the increase for the same period was 67 percent. Turnout among whites rose 12 percent.

“If you look at the numbers, they clearly show that critics of this law were wrong,” Hans von Spakovsky, a former legal counsel to the Justice Department’s civil rights division who now works for the conservative Heritage Foundation. “Their argument has always been it would depress turnout, but it didn’t happen — quite the opposite.”

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/despite-voter-id-law-minority-turnout-up-in-georgi/nR2bx/

In the same article, it does back up your claims big dog

On the other hand, Georgia’s top elections official could not point to a single case of ballot fraud the voter ID law had prevented

.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

These conventions are private affairs funded by public tax dollars, the taxpayers should be welcome to attend. Id optional for the DNC of course.

Is it really that hard to grasp?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Get informed...

Germantown woman at center of Pa. voter ID case gets her photo ID

http://www.newsworks...ts-her-photo-id

http://www.philly.com/philly/video/BC1789606029001.html

So? She was one lady who got a lot of press coverage. There are many more like her who still do not have IDs.

To everyone else: There is a clip of a PA state politician admitting that the Voter ID Act in PA is a part of the strategy to get Romney to win in PA. It's very similar to gerrymandering strategies.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Is it really that hard to grasp?

It appears you have a firm grasp on it.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Here is the story of a 93-year old woman who has no ID and is just now being told she can't vote in PA.

http://www.washingto...fb285_blog.html

and http://thinkprogress...r-id/?mobile=nc

This has roots in the deep south, where despite the passage of the 15th amendment, people tried to do whatever they can to prevent black people from voting, for about 100 years. One thing people tried to do is to institute a poll tax, and one could argue that requiring an ID just to vote, which costs money, is the same as a tax. Really poor people cannot afford a $100 license just to vote, when they don't need it for any other reason. They too, are guaranteed the right to vote by the constitution, even if they are poor. Here is an article from an online encyclopedia about the Voting Rights Act of 1965. http://www.britannic...ting-Rights-Act

People who want to pass Voter ID laws say that there is a voter fraud problem in the US, and typically mention "all the illegals voting." A recent study came out that the US had a voter fraud occurrence of less than one case per state per year (It was something like .75 cases per state per year).

People on this forum somehow think that because someone supports this for voting, that asking for ID for any reason (for safety, to gain access to a ticketed party, etc) is somehow the same and therefore hypocritical. They cannot see the obvious differences between the two situations.

So if that poor little old lady that had no ID had the means to be part of a federal lawsuit how come she does not have the means to get an ID. I am glad the judge saw throught that.

As to vote fraud. 1000's of cases prosecuted every year. 1000's of cases of dead people voting every year.

Since you mentioned the south and blacks. Here in the South blacks have huge get out the vote drives. Churches issue lists telling people who to vote for. Vans go thru neighborhoods picking up people to carry them to vote. How come they can't help a handful of people get ID's.

Liberal Democrats act like showing an ID to vote is an undue burden, Such BS. They want people to vote early and often and that is the real reason the are against voter id.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

As to vote fraud. 1000's of cases prosecuted every year. 1000's of cases of dead people voting every year.

Really? Thousands of cases of in person voter fraud are prosecuted every year? Where? In Mali?

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Exactly. Attending a convention is not the same as exercising the right to vote. Not that difficult a concept but apparently way out of reach for the right wing nuts.

Not a difficult concept to grasp at all. It's called hypocrisy .. It's called say one thing do another.

So Big Dog I do believe you called the Pubs hypocrites for not allowing guns at the convention. but supporting gun rights...... Well it was a private affair.. Not a difficult concept to grasp is it ?

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Really? Thousands of cases of in person voter fraud are prosecuted every year? Where? In Mali?

Ok just the first Google hit. Here is 1300 dead and 100 prisoners voting just in Michigan.

My link

A state audit indicates that dead people and prisoners are shown as having voted in Michigan between late 2008 and mid-2011.

The report released by the state auditor general reviews the Bureau of Elections, which is part of the Michigan Secretary of State office.

The review found more than 1,300 deceased people were recorded as having voted during the audit period. The review also appears to indicate roughly 100 people were listed as having voted during the same time period they were listed as being behind bars, although some of those cases could not be verified.

Elections officials say in the report that they’re working on fixing the issues raised in the audit. And they say clerical error is the culprit behind the voting concerns, not voter fraud.

According to the audit, election officials said that “in every instance where it appears a deceased person or incarcerated person voted and local records were available, a clerical error was established as the reason for the situation.”

Officials also told auditors that in some instances, voters submitted absentee ballots shortly before they died.

The state had roughly 7.3 million people listed as eligible to vote during the time of the audit, so the cases represent a small fraction of overall voters. Secretary of State Ruth Johnson's office says the department has removed the names of 30,000 dead people from voter rolls.

Dead people listed as voting also has been in concern in some other states.

The department said that the actual recording of voter history is legally a local responsibility rather than a state responsibility. The audit says state officials should work more closely with local election clerks to strengthen procedures.

Election officials said those efforts already have started.

Overall, the audit found that the Bureau of Elections’ efforts were “moderately effective in providing reliable and secure” registered voter information in the state’s qualified voter file.

The audit also noted elections officials were “moderately effective” related to compliance with campaign finance, lobbying and casino interest registration policies. There were some concerns in those areas as well, but elections officials say they are addressing them.

A spokesman for Johnson said in an e-mail that the audit confirms Johnson’s belief that Michigan’s voting system “is one of the nation’s best, but still has vulnerabilities that must be addressed.”

Johnson has proposed new laws she says are designed to make sure Michigan elections more secure and fair.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Ok just the first Google hit. Here is 1300 dead and 100 prisoners voting just in Michigan.

My link

A state audit indicates that dead people and prisoners are shown as having voted in Michigan between late 2008 and mid-2011.

The report released by the state auditor general reviews the Bureau of Elections, which is part of the Michigan Secretary of State office.

The review found more than 1,300 deceased people were recorded as having voted during the audit period. The review also appears to indicate roughly 100 people were listed as having voted during the same time period they were listed as being behind bars, although some of those cases could not be verified.

Elections officials say in the report that they’re working on fixing the issues raised in the audit. And they say clerical error is the culprit behind the voting concerns, not voter fraud.

According to the audit, election officials said that “in every instance where it appears a deceased person or incarcerated person voted and local records were available, a clerical error was established as the reason for the situation.”

Officials also told auditors that in some instances, voters submitted absentee ballots shortly before they died.

The state had roughly 7.3 million people listed as eligible to vote during the time of the audit, so the cases represent a small fraction of overall voters. Secretary of State Ruth Johnson's office says the department has removed the names of 30,000 dead people from voter rolls.

Dead people listed as voting also has been in concern in some other states.

The department said that the actual recording of voter history is legally a local responsibility rather than a state responsibility. The audit says state officials should work more closely with local election clerks to strengthen procedures.

Election officials said those efforts already have started.

Overall, the audit found that the Bureau of Elections’ efforts were “moderately effective in providing reliable and secure” registered voter information in the state’s qualified voter file.

The audit also noted elections officials were “moderately effective” related to compliance with campaign finance, lobbying and casino interest registration policies. There were some concerns in those areas as well, but elections officials say they are addressing them.

A spokesman for Johnson said in an e-mail that the audit confirms Johnson’s belief that Michigan’s voting system “is one of the nation’s best, but still has vulnerabilities that must be addressed.”

Johnson has proposed new laws she says are designed to make sure Michigan elections more secure and fair.

Do you occasionally read what you post? Not a single prosecution here. Not a single case of voter fraud either.

[mawilson 2,133]

Here is the story of a 93-year old woman who has no ID and is just now being told she can't vote in PA.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/post/the-93-year-old-face-of-pennsylvania-voter-id/2012/08/16/ed4b3b06-e7d8-11e1-9739-eef99c5fb285_blog.html

As recently as 1999, UK driving licenses had no photographs on them. Things change.

The 93-year-old woman can apply for an ID card.

[JohnR! 5,495]

The stringent ID rules for journalists at the Democrat Party's convention seem a bit odd considering the party's broad, alarmist stance on voter ID laws. The ID laws have drawn harsh criticism from the liberal establishment, including Vice President Joe Biden who has called the practice "voter suppression" and MSNBC hosts who've

the laws "racist" and "a GOP conspiracy."

But for some reason, ID rules aren't racist when it comes to security at the Democrat National Convention.

I am surprised nobody denounced the DNC for supporting stringent security measures at the airports... After all it is the same concept upon which the proto-copy bases its sophomoric rationale: If you wish to fly you need to show ID...

Really? Thousands of cases of in person voter fraud are prosecuted every year? Where? In Mali?

In China. They have the time, wherewithal and the appetite for prosecuting civilians.

[Nina~ 431]

Please keep it civil. If you have a point to make, do so without the name calling.

[JohnR! 5,495]

So? She was one lady who got a lot of press coverage. There are many more like her who still do not have IDs.

To everyone else: There is a clip of a PA state politician admitting that the Voter ID Act in PA is a part of the strategy to get Romney to win in PA. It's very similar to gerrymandering strategies.

The new state laws notwithstanding, anyone with a voting card can vote. I have refused to show ID at polling places even when asked and so far I am yet to meet a volunteer who would deny me my ballot.

What is sad is that most of those who don't have IDs quite possibly will not stand their ground at the polling place, but I wish they did and demanded to see the law affixed at the polling place.

[kytwell 179]

So? She was one lady who got a lot of press coverage.

Not enough press or you would have known and not used her as an example .

There were 10 specific people who claimed they would be disenfranchised with the PA law. Well now 1 of those litigants has her ID; next...

Philly Fraud, it's documented and a reality.

But election fraud on a smaller level has proven to be a reality

the '93 scandal in the Second Senatorial District, in which backers of Democrat Bill Stinson paid $1 bonuses to volunteers who rounded up absentee ballots. The Stinson affair is a prime example. The dispute came down to roughly 600 absentee ballots (250 tainted)

There are last-minute registrations taxing the system. In 1992, 193,000 people signed up to vote in the presidential election, with 40,000 enlisting on the final day. Of the 300,000 who signed up to vote for the 1983 Goode/ Rizzo primary, 60,000 procrastinators entered at the last minute.

Election Day itself is a monster. The city opens 1,680 polling districts covering 66 wards and relies on more than 15,000 people to make it all work. Election Day workers, mostly volunteers, pull 15-hour days. All of this eases the way for dirty politicos to dabble in dirty tricks.

"I don't know if you can ever eliminate irregularities in any system, whether it's voting or accounting," admits Swirsky. "The key is to limit opportunities. You can't extinguish people who have felony in their hearts."

Rigging elections comes down to registration. Which in Philly, like any urban area, means enrolling out-of-towners, the dead or the exploitable — the homeless and ex-cons.

How is it done? City Hall insiders — nameless in order to save jobs — cite a litany of registration methods available to the would-be election rigger.

Do dead men die? Not always. Corpses, say the sources, are perfect tools for election abuse.

The scam works like this. A registered voter dies near the registration deadline (Oct. 10 this year) but remains eligible. A hack sends somebody to pose as the dearly departed. If the fraudulent voter slips by poll watchers, the "ghost" ballot glides through.

Is this fraud prevalent? Nobody can say. Conventional wisdom suggests not. Then again, Fani Papanikolau's story raises questions.

Papanikolau, a 37-year-old Democratic committeewoman from Feltonville, cast an absentee vote in the 1993 primary. That is, Papanikolau voted in the 42nd Ward on behalf of a woman who was absent — permanently. She had departed the earth six months before. Papanikolau later owned up to 22 counts of election fraud when busted.

Beyond "ghosts," many non-Philly residents reportedly vote. This long-standing method boils down to strong city ties and vested interests.

Say a former city resident with family members in politics has moved to the 'burbs. The resident maintains a Philly address (usually a one-time residence or a business), then shows up at the polls. Easy to pull and very hard to detect (though not impossible — election officials caught a Wildwood, NJ resident voting during the '93 election).'

Then there are empty lot registrations. If somebody registers right before deadline at the address of a vacant lot, say sources, there's not enough time for investigators to catch up.

One can also enlist voters at places such as homeless shelters, halfway houses, pretty much any address. Voight and others claim many people register to obtain welfare benefits. Indeed, a man went to prison last year after bilking $9,000 worth of emergency food stamps via 50 false voter registrations.

But sources insist a shady operative can also buy or use these votes. The Inquirer has written about unsubstantiated reports where campaigns allegedly paid bounties to volunteers who registered homeless people.

Finally, there is double-voting — when somebody votes in two divisions during one election. The city's registration computer is supposed to weed out people who are registered in different divisions but in 1994, the Inquirer found more than 200 people who signed up to vote in two places.

These problems have been limited, judging from past inquiries and studies. Yet nobody can accurately say how much voter fraud exists in Philly. (News accounts place the highest estimate of fraudulently registered voters at 10 percent of all voters, roughly 80,000 in 1993.)

For all the reform talk, however, one fact remains clear. Punishment for absentee ballot fraud is weak. Nobody, notes Swirsky, went to prison for wrongdoing in the Second Senate scandal (Stinson was acquitted of fraud charges). Democrat committeeman Charles Pollan was the last Philadelphia operative who went to jail for election tampering, getting three years in 1987. Indeed, the Task Force report admits that anti-absentee fraud measures "remain ineffectual."

http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/101295/article009.shtml

[Teddy B 17,252]

The new state laws notwithstanding, anyone with a voting card can vote. I have refused to show ID at polling places even when asked and so far I am yet to meet a volunteer who would deny me my ballot.

What is sad is that most of those who don't have IDs quite possibly will not stand their ground at the polling place, but I wish they did and demanded to see the law affixed at the polling place.

Were you asked any questions to prove your identity, or were you simply handed a ballot with no questions asked?

Edited September 4, 2012 by Teddy B