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dmaestro 02-Sep-12, 12:46 |
 Voter ID===================== Building confidence in U.S. elections is central to our nation’s democracy. The vigor of our democracy depends on an active and engaged citizenry who believe that their votes matter and are counted accurately. The reforms needed to keep our electoral system healthy are an inexpensive investment in the stability and progress of our country. As a nation, we need to pursue the vision of a society where most Americans see their votes as both a right and a privilege, where they cast their votes in a way that leaves them proud of themselves as citizens and of democracy in the United States. Ours should be a society where registering to vote is convenient, voting is efficient and pleasant, voting machines work properly, fraud is minimized, and disputes are handled fairly and expeditiously. This report represents a comprehensive proposal for accomplishing those goals and modernizing our electoral system. We have sought to transcend partisan divides with recommendations that will both assure the integrity of the system and widen access. No doubt, there will be some who prefer some recommendations and others who prefer other proposals, but we hope that all will recognize, as we do, that the best way to improve our electoral system is to accept the validity of both sets of concerns. The five pillars of our proposal represent an innovative and comprehensive approach. They break new ground in the following ways: First, we propose a universal, state-based, top-down, interactive, and interoperable registration list that will, if implemented successfully, eliminate the vast majority of complaints currently leveled against the election system. States will retain control over their registration lists, but a distributed database offers a way to remove interstate duplicates and maintain an up-to-date, fully accurate registration list for the nation. Second, we propose that all states require a valid photo ID card, which would be a slightly modified REAL ID or a photo ID that is based on an EAC-template (which is equivalent to the REAL ID without the drivers license). However, instead of allowing the ID to be a new barrier to voting, we propose using it to enfranchise new and more voters than ever before. The states would play a much more affirmative role of reaching out to the underserved communities by providing them more offices, including mobile ones, to register them and provide photo IDs free of charge. In addition, we offer procedural and institutional safeguards to make sure that the card is not abused and that voters will not be disenfranchised because of the need for an ID. Third, we propose measures that will increase voting participation by connecting registration and the ID process, making voting more convenient, diminishing irregularities, and offering more information on voting. Fourth, we propose ways to give confidence to voters that use the new electronic voting machines to ensure that their vote will be recorded accurately and there will be an auditable backup on paper (with the understanding that alternative technologies may be available in the future). Our proposals also aim to make sure that people with disabilities have full access to voting and the opportunity to do so privately and independently like other voters. Finally, we recommend a restructuring of the system by which elections have been administered in our country. We propose that the Election Assistance Commission and state election management bodies be reconstituted on a nonpartisan basis to become more professional, independent, and effective. Election reform is neither easy nor inexpensive. Nor can we succeed if we think of providing funds on a one-time basis. We need to view the administration of elections as a continuing challenge for the entire government, and one that requires the highest priority of our citizens and our government. For more than two centuries, our country has taught the world about the significance of democracy, but more recently, we have evinced a reluctance to learn from others. Typical of this gap is that we insist other countries open their elections to international observers, but our states close their doors or set unfair restrictions on election observing. We recommend changing that provision and also building on the innovations of the new democracies by establishing new election management bodies that are independent, nonpartisan, and effective with a set of procedures that would make American democracy, once again, the model for the world. The new electoral edifice that we recommend is built on the five pillars of reforms. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents may differ on which of these pillars are the most important, but we have come to understand that all are needed to improve our electoral system. Indeed, we believe that the structure is greater than the sum of its pillars. Substantively, the system’s integrity is strengthened by the increased access of its citizens, and voter confidence is raised by accuracy and security of new technology and enforcement of election laws. And the political support necessary to implement these reforms is more likely to materialize if all the pillars are viewed as part of an entire approach. If adequately funded and implemented, this new approach will move America down the path of transforming the vision of a model democracy into reality. ================== With that as the framework for a compromise solution, here is the analysis I provided on the issue: A common contention on the right is that there is no rational reason for opposition to the current voter ID laws other than support for illegal voting, that there are a lot of illegals voting and other voter fraud incidents, and that the impact of these laws is not unreasonable. Courts are finding otherwise, with good reason. The fact is that I think an objective observer can see there is a political calculus on both sides and that these measures as passed in practice have a disproportionate impact. I am opposed to our current two party system, and am resigned to the eventual need for some sort of national identification. I think what is needed here is a compromise that honestly addresses political motivations, and that as a result actually improves the integrity of the electoral system and legitimate participation in the voting process. I will address that at the end. The issue as framed by both parties is somewhat dishonest in its framing and basically partisan, with the issues framed by these partisans in a way to mask their raw political motivations. (www.cnn.com, blogs.wsj.com). Voting fraud is an insignificant problem (votingrights.news21.com), and as the previous links show the voter ID laws are not that foolproof. And MOST (not all) DETERMINED, HIGHLY MOTIVATED voters can get the necessary ID and navigate the entire voting process. (articles.philly.com) There are worse practical problems with the current electoral system we have, as we saw again in the primaries this year that had nothing to do with fraud. So the motivation for the voter ID push and pushback must be understood first. It is easy to understand the motivations behind the rhetoric, and honestly admitting that and moving forward from that that should be the basis for a compromise. It is a political truism that low turnouts generally favor the GOP, because overall those who actually vote are more conservative than those who register, and far more so those citizens who could register but to do not vote. If every citizen eligible to vote voted, nationally the GOP would be crushed. This latest study simply confirms what earlier studies have shown. (www.suffolk.edu). Furthermore, shifts in demographics of those who actually vote have a huge impact on the results, and the GOP struggles with expanding demographics. (www.nytimes.com). So anything the Dems can do that would also increase the turnout of those proven less likely to vote benefits them, while anything the GOP can do that would also act as a barrier to less motivated voters would benefit them. Were the situation reversed, we would likely see the parties adopt the opposite positions. Partisan as well as non partisan get out the vote efforts are constitutional and consistent with national values. Measures that establish barriers that would discourage voters are not consistent with national values, and if necessary to adopt, need a convincing justification and should include maximum reasonable mitigation measures to address any disproportionate impact. While it is true you can't force a horse to drink even if you lead them to the water, in a democratic system you should at least lead them to the water, IMO. For example, the situation in Wisconsin, where the IDs were free but you had to specifically ask for the fee to be waived rather than be informed you were entitled to voting ID at no charge, should not be acceptable. With the parties unable to compromise, the courts must adjudicate this partisan dispute. Examining these laws then, if there is evidence of disproportionate impact on the citizen's exercise of voting privilege, whether direct or indirect, overt or covert, the burden of proof for necessity and reasonability is high, while that of establishing probable disproportionate impact is low. Courts also examine motivations in assessing reasonability and impact. From the GOP legal briefs, we see an emphasis on claims of the necessity of preclusion rather than evidence of an actual significant issue with voter fraud. This is a weak argument for necessity or reasonability. And in rebuttal we see clear evidence of a motivation outside of the stated intent of improving electoral integrity, from comments by a GOP leader in PA that voter ID laws would allow Romney win to win the state of Pennsylvania, to similar comments by a GOP leader in Wisconsin about that state, to the most outrageous example so far, the GOP bill sponsor in South Carolina responding with "Amen" to an email complaint about possibly providing free IDs for voting by stating "It would be like a swarm of bees going after a watermelon." (www.washingtonpost.com). This supports the contention that the GOP acknowledges and finds acceptable disproportionate impact in its calculus in pushing these bills. While there are conservative studies supporting voter ID, they are like this one (www.nationalcenter.org), easily criticized for ignoring factors such as the Obama Presidency that might have increased black votes from 2006 to 2010. From the Dems legal briefs, we see a focus on the issue of disproportionate impact and lack of sound evidence of voter fraud. Studies like this one assert that not only do many not have the required ID but it is not as easy to get as it might seem. (www.brennancenter.org). Another study examines the impact of the legality of requiring voter ID on resulting voting and finds that the adverse impact affects far more people than documented voter fraud. (journalistsresource.org). And even in the previously mentioned ultimately successful case featured on conservative sites, it is evident some intervention was required because of problems with the supporting ID requirements: (articles.philly.com). There is simply enough evidence of probable disproportional impact and conscious failure to address it, and conversely lack of evidence of a serious voter fraud problem presented, that the burden of proof that there is not unreasonable disparate impact has not been met, while the burden of proof of probable disparate impact has been met. I mentioned that it is not just quoting studies without considering who did them, but understanding and evaluating them that is necessary. In cases like these, you evaluate studies through common sense, motivations, and "triangulation" (in simple terms, the truth is somewhere in the middle). The problem may not be as bad as the Brennan or Journalistsresource studies suggest, but compared to the conservative studies which are far more anecdotal that data based, there is good evidence that voting patterns are skewed. And plain common sense tells you that this republican governor is correct when he says it will make it more difficult for some to vote: (www.newschannel5.com). That is what is motivating the courts, not a radical agenda. Again, even the 93 year old disabled woman in PA conservatives feature as a success story needed intervention according to the local reports because of problems with the records she had. What about the person who wasn't set up as an example and got no attention? What we have here is really another version of the classic conservative/liberal philosophical divide. As we can even see from the comments so far, and from commentary on the internet, conservatives believe that fraud is much more widespread than can be documented and a few hurdles are ok in principle because motivation to vote is philosophically an acceptable screen out factor. Liberals want to see mitigating factors for any hurdles to maximize interest in voting and question the rush for such laws and in particular the way they are applied. When you get past the partisanship, there is broad agreement that elections should be fair and that voting fraud is unacceptable. I think we need to compromise, move past the partisan “voting wars”, and in the interim where we require ID to vote, there needs to be more effort made to deal with the barriers and actually explaining to voters how to get through the process. Long term we probably need a digital database like we use for drivers licenses now that links to existing records so once citizens can get ID routinely and easily upon turning 18, every legitimate voter stays registered and receives proper instruction on how to vote and deal with hurdles. There is a reason why less than 50% of the US population even votes, it isn't seen as being worth the effort. We should be encouraging compromise and solutions that actually increase citizen engagement in the process. In summary, there are in fact compromise solutions that deserve attention. Quoting from an earlier link: "Robert A. Pastor, former executive director of the Carter/Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform, a bipartisan group that in 2005 called for better data on voter fraud while advocating voter IDs (www1.american.edu), said both parties have fair points about the electoral system. “Republicans have a legitimate concern about the integrity of the ballot,” Pastor said. “Democrats have a legitimate concern about access. Good electoral policy is one that incorporates both, but we’re not seeing that happen today.” I suggest that a lack of a cooperative approach, not the "red meat" unsubstantiated rhetoric about Dems condoning voter fraud and illegals voting, is the sad reality and why we can't get agreement. Denying there are reasonable concerns about the voter ID laws or the disparate impact on some voters, and the usual hostile rhetoric lacking a factual basis, is part of the problem, not the solution. The Carter/Baker Commission is a much more balanced place to start than these voter ID laws are with the evident partisan intent. I would support that framework as a way forward, provided the focus is on maximizing citizen participation, which is where it should be. |
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hennybogan1953 03-Sep-12, 11:38 |
youtu.be youtu.be youtu.be I'm glad FOX NEWS has the courage to after corrupt ACORN and inform the American people of voter fraud. |
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hennybogan1953 03-Sep-12, 11:46 |
Rotton ACORN No wonder why these crooked groups don't want fair elections. It has the potential to mess with welfare checks! www.rottenacorn.com State Year Details AR 1998 A contractor with ACORN-affiliated Project Vote was arrested for falsifying about 400 voter registration cards. CO 2005 Two ex-ACORN employees were convicted in Denver of perjury for submitting false voter registrations. 2004 An ACORN employee admitted to forging signatures and registering three of her friends to vote 40 times. CT 2008 The New York Post reported that ACORN submitted a voter registration card for a 7-year-old Bridgeport girl. Another 8,000 cards from the same city will be scrutinized for possible fraud. FL 2009 In September, 11 ACORN workers were accused of forging voter registration applications in Miami-Dade County during the last election. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the state attorney’s office scoured hundreds of suspicious applications provided by ACORN and found 197 of 260 contained personal ID information that did not match any living person. 2008 Election officials in Brevard County have given prosecutors more than 23 suspect registrations from ACORN. The state's Division of Elections is also investigating complaints in Orange and Broward Counties. 2004 A Florida Department of Law Enforcement spokesman said ACORN was “singled out” among suspected voter registration groups for a 2004 wage initiative because it was “the common thread” in the agency’s fraud investigations. IN 2008 Election officials in Indiana have thrown out more than 4,000 ACORN-submitted voter registrations after finding they had identical handwriting and included the names of many deceased Indianans, and even the name of a fast food restaurant. MI 2008 Clerks in Detroit found a "sizeable number of duplicate and fraudulent [voter] applications" from the Michigan branch of ACORN. Those applications have been turned over to the U.S. Attorney's office for investigation. 2004 The Detroit Free Press reported that “overzealous or unscrupulous campaign workers in several Michigan counties are under investigation for voter-registration fraud, suspected of attempting to register nonexistent people or forging applications for already-registered voters.” ACORN-affiliate Project Vote was one of two groups suspected of turning in the documents. MO 2008 Nearly 400 ACORN-submitted registrations in Kansas City have been rejected due to duplication or fake information. 2007 Four ACORN employees were indicted in Kansas City for charges including identity theft and filing false registrations during the 2006 election. 2006 Eight ACORN employees in St. Louis were indicted on federal election fraud charges. Each of the eight faces up to five years in prison for forging signatures and submitting false information. 2003 Of 5,379 voter registration cards ACORN submitted in St. Louis, only 2,013 of those appeared to be valid. At least 1,000 are believed to be attempts to register voters illegally. MN 2004 During a traffic stop, police found more than 300 voter registration cards in the trunk of a former ACORN employee, who had violated a legal requirements that registration cards be submitted to the Secretary of State within 10 days of being filled out and signed. NC 2008 County elections officials have sent suspicious voter registration applications to the state Board of Elections. Many of the applications had similar or identical names, but with different addresses or dates of birth. 2004 North Carolina officials investigated ACORN for submitting fake voter registration cards. NM 2008 Prosecutors are investigating more than 1,100 ACORN-submitted voter registration cards after a county clerk found them to be fraudulent. Many of the cards included duplicate names and slightly altered personal information. 2005 Four ACORN employees submitted as many as 3,000 potentially fraudulent signatures on the group’s Albuquerque ballot initiative. A local sheriff added: “It’s safe to say the forgery was widespread.” 2004 An ACORN employee registered a 13-year-old boy to vote. Citing this and other examples, New Mexico State Representative Joe Thompson stated that ACORN was “manufacturing voters” throughout New Mexico. NV 2009 Nevada authorities indicted ACORN on 26 counts of voter registration fraud and 13 counts of illegally compensating canvassers. ACORN provided a bonus compensation program called “Blackjack” or “21+” for any canvasser who registered more than 20 voters per shift, which is illegal under Nevada law. 2008 Nevada state authorities raided ACORN's Las Vegas headquarters as part of a task force investigation of election fraud. Fraudulent registrations included players from the Dallas Cowboys. OH 2008 ACORN activists gave Ohio residents cash and cigarettes in exchange for filling out voter registration card, according to the New York Post. Some voters claim to have registered dozens of times, and one man says he signed up on 72 cards. 2007 A man in Reynoldsburg was indicted on two felony counts of illegal voting and false registration, after being registered by ACORN to vote in two separate counties. 2004 A grand jury indicted a Columbus ACORN worker for submitting a false signature and false voter registration form. In Franklin County, two ACORN workers submitted what the director of the board of election supervisors called “blatantly false” forms. In Cuyahoga County, ACORN and its affiliate Project Vote submitted registration cards that had the highest rate of errors for any voter registration group. PA 2009 Seven ACORN workers in the Pittsburgh area were indicted for submitting falsified voter registration forms. Six of the seven were also indicted for registering voters under an illegal quota system. 2008 State election officials have thrown out 57,435 voter registrations, the majority of which were submitted by ACORN. The registrations were thrown out after officials found "clearly fraudulent" signatures, vacant lots listed as addresses, and other signs of fraud. 2008 An ACORN employee in West Reading, PA, was sentenced to up to 23 months in prison for identity theft and tampering with records. A second ACORN worker pleaded not guilty to the same charges and is free on $10,000 bail. 2004 Reading’s Director of Elections received calls from numerous individuals complaining that ACORN employees deliberately put inaccurate information on their voter registration forms. The Berks County director of elections said voter fraud was “absolutely out of hand,” and added: “Not only do we have unintentional duplication of voter registration but we have blatant duplicate voter registrations.” The Berks County deputy director of elections added that ACORN was under investigation by the Department of Justice. TX 2008 In Harris County, nearly 10,000 ACORN-submitted registrations were found to be invalid, including many with clearly fraudulent addresses or other personal information. 2008 ACORN turned in the voter registration form of David Young, who told reporters “The signature is not my signature. It’s not even close.” His social security number and date of birth were also incorrect. VA 2005 In 2005, the Virginia State Board of Elections admonished Project Vote and ACORN for turning in a significant number of faulty voter registrations. An audit revealed that 83% of sampled registrations that were rejected for carrying false or questionable information were submitted by Project Vote. Many of these registrations carried social security numbers that exist for other people, listed non-existent or commercial addresses, or were for convicted felons in violation of state and federal election law. In a letter to ACORN, the State Board of Elections reported that 56% of the voter registration applications ACORN turned in were ineligible. Further, a full 35% were not submitted in a timely manner, as required by law. The State Board of Elections also commented on what appeared to be evidence of intentional voter fraud. "Additionally,” they wrote, “information appears to have been altered on some applications where information given by the applicant in one color ink has been scratched through and re-entered in another color ink. Any alteration of a voter registration application is a Class 5 Felony in accordance with § 24.2-1009 of the Code of Virginia." WA 2007 Three ACORN employees pleaded guilty, and four more were charged, in the worst case of voter registration fraud in Washington state history. More than 2,000 fraudulent voter registration cards were submitted by the group during a voter registration drive. WI 2008 At least 33,000 ACORN-submitted registrations in Milwaukee have been called into question after it was found that the organizations had been using felons as registration workers, in violation of state election rules. Two people involved in the ongoing Wisconsin voter fraud investigation have been charged with felonies. 2004 The district attorney’s office investigated seven voter registration applications Project Vote employees filed in the names of people who said the group never contacted them. Former Project Vote employee Robert Marquise Blakely told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he had not met with any of the people whose voter registration applications he signed, “an apparent violation of state law,” according to the paper. |
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Rubbish,trash, and more Rubbish |
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hennybogan1953 03-Sep-12, 12:10 |
VOTER ID is NOT a partisan issue. We all should want ever eligible person in this country to vote. The problem is radical organizations like ACORN want certain voters to vote early and often! |
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Middle ground attempt ... |
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all that work |
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hennybogan1953 03-Sep-12, 12:38 |
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dmaestro 03-Sep-12, 12:48 |
If we need IDs, we need free, readily available IDs, actively advertised. |
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right on DM!! |
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hennybogan1953 03-Sep-12, 13:02 |
right on DM!! |
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dmaestro 03-Sep-12, 13:03 |
On December 7, 2009, the former Massachusetts Attorney General, after an independent internal investigation of ACORN, found the videos that had been released appeared to have been edited, "in some cases substantially". He found no evidence of criminal conduct by ACORN employees, but concluded that ACORN had poor management practices that contributed to unprofessional actions by a number of its low-level employees. On March 1, 2010, the District Attorney's office for Brooklyn determined that the videos were "heavily edited" and concluded that there was no criminal wrongdoing by the ACORN staff in the videos from the Brooklyn ACORN office. On April, 1, 2010, an investigation by the California Attorney General found the videos from Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino to be "heavily edited" and the investigation did not find evidence of criminal conduct on the part of ACORN employees. On June 14, 2010, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its findings which showed that ACORN evidenced no sign that it, or any of its related organizations, mishandled any federal money they had received. |
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hennybogan1953 03-Sep-12, 13:08 |
GO FOX NEWS. They did the same thing with that communist Czar. The evil one himself Van Jones the communist in the cabinet! Fox News exposed and had him fired. GO BECK! |
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Fox News,unfair and unbalanced. |
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hennybogan1953 03-Sep-12, 13:38 |
1. Prove you your own home 2. Be a male over 30 years of age (females can vote in local elections) 3. ID cards are free with a shipping and handling tax of $100 4. Free ID cards will only be issued outside of 50 miles from a metropolitan areas 5. Demonstrate proof you paid federal income tax in the past year 6. Pass a basic country music knowledge test 7. Have a membership of an accredited country club and carry a 14 or better handicap 8. Be able to ice skate, ski, and swim 9. Chess rating of 1484 or higher 10. Not female |
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not with zombies there isn't |
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hennybogan1953 03-Sep-12, 13:50 |
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dmaestro 03-Sep-12, 13:55 |
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i was talking to chas5 |
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hennybogan1953 03-Sep-12, 13:59 |
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hennybogan1953 03-Sep-12, 14:04 |
youtu.be |
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dmaestro 03-Sep-12, 14:14 |
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hennybogan1953 03-Sep-12, 14:20 |
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dmaestro 03-Sep-12, 14:27 |
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whats this!! a glimmer of intelligence? |
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hennybogan1953 03-Sep-12, 14:33 |
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his head is much smaller then becks!!! much smaller then bachmanns much smaller then palins much smaller then newts much smaller then 'the tan mans' and even smaller then...well...yours!!! |
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hennybogan1953 03-Sep-12, 15:21 |
This matter is hereby closed upon my direction based on the power vested upon me by Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and only true God who have bestowed upon me superiority based on my gender. Any further posts on this thread will constitute a breach of civility that will be considered not ladylike and perhaps could even be regarded as uppity reflective of a person not knowing her place in society. Furthermore if these outbursts continue you will face administrative action and possible sanctions by right thinking male persons. |
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dmaestro 03-Sep-12, 16:37 |
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