The Myth of Voter Fraud. Editorial NYT

[Stuart G]

Published: October 9, 2011

Editorial.
The Myth of Voter Fraud
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/opinion/the-myth-of-voter-fraud.html?_r=1&hp

It has been a record year for new legislation designed to make it harder for Democrats to vote — 19 laws and two executive actions in 14 states dominated by Republicans, according to a new study by the Brennan Center for Justice. As a result, more than five million eligible voters will have a harder time participating in the 2012 election.


Of course the Republicans passing these laws never acknowledge their real purpose, which is to turn away from the polls people who are more likely to vote Democratic, particularly the young, the poor, the elderly and minorities. They insist that laws requiring government identification cards to vote are only to protect the sanctity of the ballot from unscrupulous voters. Cutting back on early voting, which has been popular among working people who often cannot afford to take off from their jobs on Election Day, will save money, they claim.

None of these explanations are true. There is almost no voting fraud in America. And none of the lawmakers who claim there is have ever been able to document any but the most isolated cases. The only reason Republicans are passing these laws is to give themselves a political edge by suppressing Democratic votes.

The most widespread hurdle has been the demand for photo identification at the polls, a departure from the longstanding practice of using voters’ signatures or household identification like a utility bill. Seven states this year have passed laws requiring strict photo ID to vote, and similar measures were introduced in 27 other states. More than 21 million citizens — 11 percent of the population — do not have government ID cards. Many of them are poor, or elderly, or black and Hispanic and could have a hard time navigating the bureaucracy to get a card.

[Dover]

1. Who has to worry about voter fraud when we have privately owned E-Voting.

And privately owned polls to tell us what we think and how 'big' or 'small' our voices are.

[Scuba]

2. W had Ashcroft trying to find voter fraud for three years...

... He got 95 indictment and 70 convictions. Nationally. Over three years.

Voter fraud is not a problem. Election fraud is.


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[libinnyandia]

3. Voter suppression laws

This is what we get when people vote republican against their wown interests or perhaps even worse sit out elections. When you see the numbers for 2010 versus 2008 it is so sad. I will require alot of organizing to counter this republican evil.

[otohara]

4. She's Stammering On About Dead People Voting

when that's not even the issue.
Our new GOP SOS and this woman use the same talking points.
This will backfire - more Dems will register

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZjWjkc8lZ0&feature=player_embedded

[Stuart G]

5. Yes, we will register more voters...just because of this shit..

You know, I think that is something that I can do. Help with voter registration and getting those who would vote for us, the correct registration papers. We will win inspite of these awful rules.

[bemildred]

6. Our government is a fraud, the voters are the victims of that fraud. nt

[pscot]

7. Where is the Justice Department?

Where is our constitutional scholar President? I haven't heard a peep from anyone in the administration decrying this end run around democracy.