The main roadblock to getting Obama elected is voter ID

[TrogL]

I've worked as an election official up here in Canada. We do have a voter ID law, but it's got a lot of leeway. IIRC, If you've got picture ID, you're good to go. Failing that, if you've got two other non-picture ID with valid address, you're OK and if not, if you can drag somebody else in with proper ID who will sign something vouching for you and you take an oath, you're good to go.

We had an election not long ago and plenty of people ended up going the third route and it's not all that difficult to get ID up here. I imagine you're going to have a lot more problems down there.

Your election is in November. This is May. I understand it takes about 6 months to get photo ID if you're starting from scratch and it costs money that many people can't afford.

Hence, your primary "get out the vote" strategy is going to be to find out right now who doesn't have proper ID, and get them that ID if you have to drag them down there and pay for it yourself.

Are you game?

[elleng]

1. We hope we're game, TrogL.

Concerns about numerous states erecting obstacles are REAL, imo.

[NYC_SKP]

2. K/R (nt)

[DonCoquixote]

3. K and R

Anypone who thinks that the push against "voter fraud" in swing states is an accident is a fool. Of course, by "voter fraud" they mean "minorities and other liberals should not vote" which is why the GOP is also pushing Poll taxes.

[lamp_shade]

4. Yes... absolutely... it's THE main roadblock. I WILL do my part.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. In the US, elections are run by the various States

Some States have NO voter ID law at all, no Canadian 'lee way' none at all of any form. I live in Oregon, andwe all vote by mail, no ID, in fact, no need to see or deal with any individual in order to vote. So in our States, this is literally not an issue, and the States where it is have the option to do it like we do, if their citizens demanded it. There is NO national ID requirement in the US.
For fun, let's look at 'getting an ID' which is again, a State's choice of methods. I know that in CA, it can take 3 months to get a physical ID card spit out of the system. Large State. Clunky system. Here in Oregon, a photo ID is issued on the spot when you make the application at the DMV. Instant. Not 6 months. 6 minutes, maybe. So there probably are States that take 6 months, I don't know. CA's fee is $24 and if you are low income, it can be $7 for an ID. Free at age 62. An Oregon ID is good for 8 years, the cost is about $30. As of 08 that was the highest in the country....

19 US States have no voter ID requirement at all. None.

Here is the list of US States with strict Photo ID laws for voting, which accept State Issued ID only:Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin

Here is the list of States that do the 'alternative' sort of thing, 'leeway' in taking other ID forms or a witness vouching for a voter, while requiring some form of ID:labama, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan and South Dakota
A list of the States that require AN ID, not photo: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, Washington.

I'd also like to add that in 2010 when low turn out was the cry of Democrats in many States, we in Oregon broke our mid term record, because it is easy to vote by mail. Our rate was 53.9 and for comparison CA to the south had 45.1 without ID laws, but with polling places instead of by mail voting.

[littlewolf]

6. hmm when I voted in NC

I didn't have to show any ID ....