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Vote fraud by illegal immigrants very rare, officials say
Arizona Daily Star ^

Posted on 10/26/2004 2:03:36 PM PDT by Kokojmudd

ASSOCIATED PRESS

PHOENIX - Voter fraud involving illegal immigrants is rare, with only a handful of people in recent years being prosecuted locally for such fraud, according to election officials.

"If we have one case a year, it's an amazement," said Karen Osborne, Maricopa County's director of elections.

While there is no question that some illegal immigrants vote, immigration experts believe the number is small because people here illegally typically don't want to expose themselves to the government.

"We really shouldn't shoot in the dark here," said Spencer Overton, a professor at George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. "If there's a cockroach, we don't want to use a cannon to deal with the cockroach,"

Still, supporters of Proposition 200, which would require proof of citizenship to vote, insist the initiative is needed to block illegal immigrants from the ballot box.

Backers argue that Arizona's honor-based voter registration system, which requires applicants to check boxes swearing they are U.S. citizens, is vulnerable to fraud given the state's large undocumented immigrant population.

"The system is basically set up to run on the honor system, and I don't think it works," said Kathy McKee, chairwoman of Protect Arizona Now, one of several groups backing Proposition 200.

If the measure passes Tuesday, it would require voters to show proof of their identity at the polls.

Some experts worry that attempting to keep undocumented immigrants from voting through tighter registration restrictions could end up blocking legitimate voters from exercising their rights.

It could invite discrimination and have a chilling effect on the electorate, legal experts say.

"It's important for elections to be fair and honest," said Overton. "The concern and the problem, though, is often those who push voter integrity ... ignore the impact that excessive restrictions may have on political participation by legitimate voters."

If it passes, legal experts say, Proposition 200's citizenship requirement makes it vulnerable to challenge under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which is intended to prevent discrimination against minorities at the polls.

"This seems to be a statement that not only do we want to disenfranchise non-citizens, but we also want to send a chill throughout the community. It's not a very friendly message," said Jamin Raskin, a constitutional law professor at American University in Washington, D.C.


TOPICS: Mexico; News/Current Events; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: aliens; immigrantlist; votefraud
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To: Kokojmudd

Vote fraud by illegal immigrants IS rare, because illegal immigrants ARE rare.

Why are you all laughing?


21 posted on 10/26/2004 2:30:43 PM PDT by exit82 (Righteousness exalts a nation...... Proverbs 14:34)
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To: RonF

In Arizona, the verification is (supposed to be) done at the time of registration.

Once you are on the voter rolls, you need only show up at the polling place and sign in the book opposite your name.

All that really does is tell the County that they have a certain number of voters. As long as there is not a surplus of votes, you haven't had any fraud. Cute, isn't it?


22 posted on 10/26/2004 2:32:29 PM PDT by HiJinx (Support Our Troops! www.ProudPatriots.com)
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To: JesseJane
They will vote themselves into the seat of power, and suck this country DRY.

You just described the politico/social situation here in Los Angeles, and even the non-hispanic elected politicians, mostly Democrats, pander to the hispanics. We're being outnumbered.

23 posted on 10/26/2004 2:33:20 PM PDT by janetgreen (I CALL IT INVASION, MR. PRESIDENT)
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To: Kokojmudd

"very rare"...like in as rare as the truth from a politicians mouth very rare?


24 posted on 10/26/2004 2:33:57 PM PDT by MissAmericanPie
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To: Kokojmudd

What's particularly astounding is that "aiding and abetting" an illegal immigrant is explicitly against federal law yet there's almost no end to public officials, immigration lawyers and other assorted apologists doing just that. How can one be breaking federal law while providing assistance to illegals without any recourse? Have we sunk so low that fed law is applicable only for some folks and not others?


25 posted on 10/26/2004 2:34:28 PM PDT by american spirit
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To: Kokojmudd

Well, they do RARELY vote for republicans, and after all, that's all that matters,right?


26 posted on 10/26/2004 2:37:48 PM PDT by housewife101
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To: Publius6961

Circular reasoning!!!

27 posted on 10/26/2004 2:43:11 PM PDT by raybbr
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To: Mister Baredog

28 posted on 10/26/2004 2:44:29 PM PDT by Kokojmudd
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To: Kokojmudd

Gee.

Why do I wonder what political party the "quoted officials" are from?

Why do I wonder WHY the writer didn't mention what political party the quoted officials are from?


29 posted on 10/26/2004 2:46:08 PM PDT by Robert A Cook PE (I can only donate monthly, but Kerry's ABBCNNBCBS continue to lie every day!)
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To: Kokojmudd
"If it passes, legal experts say, Proposition 200's citizenship requirement makes it vulnerable to challenge under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which is intended to prevent discrimination against minorities at the polls. "

How???
30 posted on 10/26/2004 2:46:58 PM PDT by Texas_Jarhead
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To: Kokojmudd

Doesn't the mere fact that they are illegaly voting MEAN that they are committing votor fraud? Sheesh!


31 posted on 10/26/2004 2:48:40 PM PDT by Siouxz (Freepers are the best!!)
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To: Kokojmudd
"We really shouldn't shoot in the dark here," said Spencer Overton, a professor at George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. "If there's a cockroach, we don't want to use a cannon to deal with the cockroach,"

No, let's "shoot in the dark"...

And if it take two "cannons," to "deal with the cockroach," well then, good riddance."

32 posted on 10/26/2004 2:50:12 PM PDT by F16Fighter
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To: Kokojmudd
Vote fraud by illegal immigrants very rare, officials say

Wouldn't an illegal immigrant voting in this country qualify as voter fraud anyway?
33 posted on 10/26/2004 2:51:12 PM PDT by reagan_fanatic (President Kerry - - there, scared ya didn't I?)
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To: Siouxz

Ya beat me to it, amigos :)


34 posted on 10/26/2004 2:51:51 PM PDT by reagan_fanatic (President Kerry - - there, scared ya didn't I?)
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To: reagan_fanatic

Wasnt there a state law somewhere that required ID at the voting locale but was strick down as unconstitutional?

I seem to remember that happening in the last decade or so.


35 posted on 10/26/2004 3:11:35 PM PDT by JFK_Lib
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To: JFK_Lib

First-time voters who register by mail must now show ID at the polls. That is the measly token we traded everything else for in HAVA.


36 posted on 10/26/2004 3:17:57 PM PDT by firebrand
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To: Kokojmudd
If it passes, legal experts say, Proposition 200's citizenship requirement makes it vulnerable to challenge under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which is intended to prevent discrimination against minorities at the polls.

Another brain dead liberal legal expert, check everyone's citizenship, then there is no discrimintation. Oh and how do they know how many illegals (or legal immigrants non-citizens) vote? How do they check?

37 posted on 10/26/2004 3:20:52 PM PDT by rolling_stone
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To: Kokojmudd

Total bull.


38 posted on 10/26/2004 3:22:02 PM PDT by faithincowboys
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To: Kokojmudd
"Vote Fraud By Illegal Immigrants Very Rare"

Tell that to Dornan.

39 posted on 10/26/2004 3:47:47 PM PDT by Bonaparte (twisting slowly, slowly in the wind...)
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To: bahblahbah
"Thing is, would the illegals risk being deported just to vote?"

Why would they? They know they can just come right back in a couple days later. If they live in a border state, it's even easier. No matter what crimes they committed, Vicente Fox would scream "persecution!" if we tried to adjudicate it.

40 posted on 10/26/2004 3:51:12 PM PDT by Bonaparte (twisting slowly, slowly in the wind...)
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