Requiring ID to vote could leave some behind at polls

WRAL ^ | January 17, 2011

[NCjim]

Raleigh, N.C. — Republican lawmakers say requiring identification at the polls is a common-sense way to prevent voter fraud, but critics argue the move would open the door to discrimination.

House Bill 430 would require voters to present some sort of identification, such as a driver's license or Social Security card. Currently, people have to show identification only when they register to vote for the first time.

"People coming from out of state are somewhat flabbergasted of how little ID is required," incoming House Minority Leader Paul Stam said.

The incoming Republican leadership at the General Assembly plans to follow the lead of 27 other states that require some form of identification to vote.

"It's a no-brainer. People don't mind providing a photo ID. It's not a problem. They expect to do it. We ought to do it," said Sen. Neal Hunt, R-Wake.

Voting rights advocates acknowledge most people already need identification to get by in society, but they contend that voting is different.

[101voodoo]

The id laws requiring photo ID would not come from the locals, but the State level.

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

True, but the local elections still fall under the purview of state law.

[wjcsux]

This is discrimination against all illegal and dead voters!

[rfp1234]

Boo frickin’ hoo.

[ScottinVA]

If voters can get to the polls every 2-4 years, they can make that one-time trip to the DMV or wherever necessary to get an official ID.

[sunmars]

If I cant produce ID, i cant fly out of an airport.
If I cant produce ID, I cant open a bank account
If I cant produce ID, I cant get a job.
If I cant produce an ID, i cant rent a car

Hey if you dont have an ID you cant collect welfare.

So whats this crap about voting without an ID

[ScottinVA]

Many states offer a non-drivers-license ID at the DMV for those who don’t already have a DL. What the hell is the problem?

[ScottinVA]

Having a photo ID should be mandatory in every state. This is a basic common-sense matter.

[MrB]

The ‘rats would lose at least 3-5% of the popular vote if fraud was eliminated.

[phillyfanatic]

This is such a common sense idea that of course liberal Dems do not like it. They would lose the prison, illegal, walking around money voters and others because they would not have legal ID. The Dems would always hit ....Jim Crow Laws, or Nazi Germany or South Africa and label it an American wish of the Pubs. Good Lord, I despise these lunkheads since old fashioned common sense of Yankee ingenuity seem so lacking in their philosophical under-pinnings .

[JrsyJack]

but critics argue the move would open the door to discrimination.

It should be discriminatory, only those that are legally entitled to vote should be allowed to do so.

[WOBBLY BOB]

If I were a Dimocrap, you could come here to MN and bring 20 of your closest friends without ID and I’d be able to vouch for them being eligible voting neighbors (on election day at the poll) just based on my word.

[littleharbour]

I don’t have a problem with early voting if it is subect to voter ID and the voter actually showing up to vote. I do have a problem with absentee ballots. They were originally restricted to persons who were too ill to get out to a polling station and military on active duty out of jurisdiction. Now anyone can get them. So easy to buy and pay for votes when you can sit and watch the person check off the box before the envelope is sealed.

[littleharbour]

I agree. The integrity of the American voting system is all that separates it from a banana republic. If Americans can’t be assured that only eligible, living citizens can vote (and only vote once), then you end up as Venezuela or Zimbabwe. There are certain counties in the US that have already reached that state and there have been a number of stolen elections in recent years.

[Mariner]

In California all you have to do is "claim a name" and if it's on the voter rolls, you're voting.

I do not believe ID is required to register either.

[JoeFromSidney]

Voting rights advocates acknowledge most people already need identification to get by in society, but they contend that voting is different.

Yes, voting is different. It's one of the most important acts of a citizen. It's the citizen's participation in the "power of the rods and the axe." People should have to prove who they are to exercise that power.

[Figment]

Totally agree with you. My comment was regarding a social security card. The card and number are not to be used as ID. A state ID card is easily obtained in every state I’ve ever resided in

[fwdude]

I do have a problem with some states having not an Election Day, but an entire Election Month. Widen the window for opportunity, and there will be much more fraud. I say mandate a true Election Day, 24 hours from midnight to midnight. If you can't get to the polls in that timespan, you aren't really trying. (Extraordinary circumstances should, of course, be address on a case, by case basis, but these should be few.)

One reason for the necessity of a single day to decide is the ever changing stories that surface, whether legitimate or not, regarding the candidates over a month's time. Something could transpire, like a voter suddenly realizing that Oh-damn-ya is a Marxist by something he says after "early" voting, and the voter could not take back his vote if he wanted to.

[101voodoo]

I thought I said that. The Legislature is firmly controlled by the Republicans.

[diji]

I am always amazed at how many weak arguments can be presented to stall voter i.d. requirements.