This fact has been well documented. The voter suppression laws that were passed by Republicans in state legislatures across the country are designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to help Willard and Republicans win elections.
More below the squiggly line
The Brennan Center for Justice states :
The "voter fraud" cry has been increasingly used to justify policies that suppress legitimate voters. But the cry is baseless; allegations of voter fraud—especially polling place impersonation fraud—almost always prove to be inflated or inaccurate. The Brennan Center carefully examines allegations of fraud to get at the truth behind the claims. The truth of the matter is that voter fraud—votes knowingly cast by ineligible individuals—is exceedingly rare; one is more likely to be struck by lightning than to commit voter fraud.
What is voter fraud ?
More precisely, “voter fraud” occurs when individuals cast ballots despite knowing that they are ineligible to
vote, in an attempt to defraud the election system.
1
The voter suppression laws are only designed to prevent a person from impersonating another voter and this is rare.
The most common example of the harm wrought by imprecise and inflated claims of “voter fraud” is the call for in-person photo identification requirements. Such photo ID laws are effective only in preventing individuals from impersonating other voters at the polls — an occurrence more rare than getting struck by lightning.16
Why is it so infrequent ?
In part, this is because fraud by individual voters is a singularly foolish and ineffective way to attempt to win an election. Each act of voter fraud in connection with a federal election risks five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, in addition to any state penalties.18In return, it yields at most one incremental vote. That single extra vote is simply not worth the price
One consequence :
In 2004, for example, federal prosecutors were especially attuned to claims of voter fraud, and fixed the weight of the federal government on 23-year-old Cynthia Alicea. Alicea, an eligible resident of Wisconsin, registered on Election Day, as permitted under Wisconsin law. Poll workers found an error on the form, and asked Alicea to fill out another, which she also did. The poll workers, however, never discarded the first form. Alicea voted only once, but based on the two registration forms, prosecutors took the young woman to trial. Though she eventually won her case, because of the ordeal, “she’s inclined not to vote ever again.”70
That is tragic and it is letting them win.
Votes by people impersonating the dead are rare
Indeed, a 2007 investigation of about 100 “dead voters” in Missouri revealed that every single purported case was properly attributed either to a matching error, a problem in the underlying data, or a clerical error by elections officials or voters.89
This is a non issue :
The allegations of fraud related to the 2000 general election, in which 124,752 votes were cast in St. Louis
City, 497,577 votes were cast in St. Louis County, and 2,361,586 votes were cast in all of Missouri.
181
• There were 6 substantiated cases of Missouri votes cast by ineligible voters, knowingly or unknowingly, except for those votes permitted by court order. These six cases were double votes by four voters – two across
state lines and two within Missouri. This amounts to a rate of 0.0003%. None of these problems could have
been resolved by requiring photo ID at the polls.
• Even given allegations that were unsubstantiated, the rate of possible fraud remains low.
The Brennan Center investigated exhaustively alleged voter fraud and found that only a tiny, microscopic amount could be substantiated.
The Bottom line :
Allegations of widespread voter fraud, however, often prove greatly exaggerated. It is easy to grab headlines with a lurid claim (“Tens of thousands may be voting illegally!”); the follow-up — when any exists — is not usually deemed newsworthy. Yet on closer examination, many of the claims of voter fraud amount to a great deal of smoke without much fire. The allegations simply do not pan out. These inflated claims are not harmless. Crying “wolf” when the allegations are unsubstantiated distracts attention from real problems that need real solutions. I
Here is what
Rolling Stone concluded :
But here's the thing: Not only is voter fraud not rampant – it's virtually nonexistent
The bottom line, confirmed by all subsequent research: "Usually, only a tiny portion of the claimed illegality is substantiated — and most of the remainder is either nothing more than speculation or has been conclusively debunked."
The Grey Lady agrees :
The Myth of Voter Fraud
Published: October 9, 2011
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.
US News and World Report also agrees :
Are there reliable statistics on voter fraud?
What we can go by is the number of times that people have been prosecuted successfully for such crimes. And the number is ridiculously low. You have a better chance of being hit by lightning than discovering an incident of polling place fraud. this is discriminatory, this is voter suppression, and there's no need for itWho falls into this category?
Disproportionately certain groups, particularly African-Americans, Latinos, young people, and people with disabilities—the types of groups that tend to vote, frankly, Democratic.
What we find is that there are occasionally unintentional errors in voter registration and virtually never substantiated cases of intentional voter fraud. Since there is no real problem with voter fraud, there is no voter fraud issue to address with voter suppression legislation. So, there must be another motive or two for the voter suppression legislation ?
In fact, there are two, but they are related. First, it is political self-interest . Demographic changes make it very difficult for Republicans to win the Presidency. The speed of the population growth for minority populations in swing states makes it much harder for the xenophobic republicans to win them (ex: NM, NV, VA, PA, CO,...).
Why do these demographic changes spell trouble for the GOP ? Their policies are based upon xenophobia - whether on immigration, minimum wage, social justice, education, public sector employees, tax policy, . Their policies harm minority populations.
They wanted to retain the status quo when only rich white men were in charge. However, that playing field was uneven. For example, active racist discrimination was legal for almost 3/4 of this country's history. With that history, we know that African Americans are starting at a severe disadvantage due to no fault of their own and their abilities and talents are not relevant because the structural discrimination is so unfair. Therefore, retaining the status quo means retaining the uneven playing field. Imagine if two teams were playing football and the teams did not change sides at half time. Now, imagine if one side had their goal line that they were defending at a much higher altitude than the the goal line of the other people. Why, the former would be in a much more favorable position and regardless of how good the latter team was, the former would normally win. Now, what would we think of a person who said that we should not level that playing field - that we should just leave the playing field as it is ? We should conclude that the person is blinded by self-interest, bigoted, ill-informed or does not think clearly.
Thus, we cannot simply accept the status quo and expect that all will have an equal chance to succeed. When outcomes (wealth, education, health, ...) all favor the majority population due to structural discrimination, we must act to correct the discrimination. Doing nothing and claiming that since we are not making the problem worse, it is okay is vacuous. That is the Republican view: retain power for the rich, white man. They are afraid of the new world. Deep inside, the rich, white, Republican Southern men know that they and their forefathers discriminated against minority populations implicitly, by enablement, or explicitly.
In order to make the playing field level, we need to continue expanding the franchise, voting, to all American citizens at least 18 years of age. We need to make voting easier and more accessible, not less. Second, we need to make sure that every family, regardless of ethnicity, receives the same quality of education. Third, we need to break down structural inequality. Fourth, universal health care is an important part of this fight.
The voting suppression laws by Republicans are unethical, discriminatory, and, therefore, receive my contempt and anger.
Here is information you need to know in order to help voters get registered to vote and be able to vote on election day in nine key swing states.
For information on registering and voting in Florida, Ohio, and Virginia please click here.
To check out how to register and how to vote in Iowa, Virginia, and Colorado, please click here
For voter information on PA, FL, and OH, please clickhere :
Iowa
is first (today as it should be lol)
Get registered to vote with your current name, at your current address, by ten days before the election. You can also register on Election Day at your polling place.
If you are registering to vote at the polls on Election Day, you must provide photo ID. Voters who register on Election Date have to prove both identity (photo ID) and residence – but your ID doesn’t need to have your current address. You can use one of the following items to prove your Iowa residency:
◦A residential lease
◦Property tax statement
◦Utility bill
◦Bank statement
◦Paycheck
◦Or any other government document with the current name and address
More information :
Iowa does not have a voter ID requirement, but you may be asked to show identification if:
◦You registered to vote after January 1, 2003, and have never voted in a Primary or General election in your county;
◦You have moved from where you are registered to vote;
◦You have moved from where you are registered to vote;
◦Your right to vote has been challenged;
◦The precinct election officials do not know you.
If one of these situations applies to you, be sure to bring one of the following pieces of identification to the polls:
◦a current and valid photo ID
Or any of the following documents, with your name and current address:
◦Current utility bill (including cell phone bill);
◦Current bank statement;
◦Current paycheck or government check;
◦Other current government document.
If you have additional questions about voting in Iowa, please contact: Iowa Secretary of State: 1-888-SOS-VOTE (1-888-767-8683);
*******************
Virginia
Get registered to vote with your current name, at your current address, by 22 days before Election Day.
To be registered for the November 6th, 2012 General Election, you must be registered no later than October 15th, 2012.
More info :
FIRST TIME VOTERS
If it’s your first time voting in a federal election in Virginia, be sure you bring one of the following types of identification containing your current and complete name and current address:
◦A current and valid photo ID (for example a driver’s license); OR
◦ A current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck that shows name and address; OR
◦ Another government document that shows name and address (for example, a voter card).
ALL OTHER VOTERS
Make sure you bring one of these forms of identification in order for your vote to count:
◦A Virginia voter registration card
◦A valid Virginia driver’s license
◦A military ID
◦Any Federal, Virginia state or local government-issued ID
◦An employer issued photo ID card
◦A Social Security card
◦A student ID from a Virginia Public School
◦A student ID from any Virginia college or university
◦A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck that has your name and address
◦For other acceptable forms of identification see here
Note: Any voter who forgets to bring acceptable ID to the polls may still vote, but will be required to submit the ID to the local electoral board by noon on Friday following the election, by fax, e-mail, mail, or in-person.
**********************
Colorado
Get Registered to vote with your current name, at your current address, by 29 days before Election Day.
To be registered for the November 6, 2012 general election, you must register no later than October 9, 2012.
You can get your registration started right now.
On election day, make sure that you have
Make sure you have one of these pieces of identification, with your current name on it, with you at the polls:
◦A valid Colorado driver’s license;
◦A valid identification card issued by the Department of Revenue in accordance with the requirements of Part 3 of Article 2 of Title 42, C.R.S.;
◦A valid U.S. passport;
◦A valid employee identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the United States government or of this state, or by any county, municipality, board, authority, or other political subdivision of this state;
◦A valid pilot’s license issued by the federal aviation administration or other authorized agency of the United States;
◦A valid U.S. military identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector;
◦A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and current address of the elector. For example
Our first state for our voter registration today is
North Carolina.
The Voter Registration Process
To vote in North Carolina, a person who meets the qualifications above must sign and complete a voter registration application. When completing a voter registration application, be sure to provide your full name, residential address, date of birth, and citizenship status. In addition, do not forget to sign the form. Failure to complete a required field on the form will delay the processing of the application. After completion, send the form to the appropriate county board of elections. In order to vote in an election, the form must be received by the voter registration deadline.
If an application is complete, the county board of elections will notify registrants of their precinct and polling place assignments by mail (voter card). Voter registration applicants, who have met the voter registration deadline, should expect to receive their voter card within 1 to 2 weeks. The voter card is a non-forwardable mailing. If a voter card is returned by the postal service as undeliverable after two attempts, then an applicant’s voter registration may subsequently be denied. Applicants should contact their county board of elections if they do not receive their voter card within two weeks. Note: The applicant must have transmitted the registration application by the registration deadline; otherwise, the voter card will not be mailed until after the completion of the election.
Voter Registration Deadlines
The deadline to register to vote in North Carolina is 25 days before the day of an election
These people are not
friendsof democracy :
What Constitutes A Vote
Pursuant to Section 301 (a)(6) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, codified as 42 U.S.C. § 15481(a)(6), and N.C.G.S. § 163-182.1(b), the State Board of Elections has developed these standards and procedures to define what is a vote and when that vote should be counted in circumstances in which voting systems are unable to determine the voter’s intent with respect to a marked ballot.
Curse them for that !
What ???
That is troubling - to say the least.
:
on election dayIf this is your first time voting in a federal election in North Carolina, you may be asked to show ID before you can vote on Election Day. Identification may include (but is not limited to):
◦A North Carolina driver’s license
◦Another valid photo ID
◦A current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or other government document that shows your current and complete name and current address.
If you’ve previously voted in a federal election in North Carolina, you don’t have to bring an ID with you to the polls.
If you have additional questions about voting in North Carolina, please contact: Elections Division: (919) 733-7173 or (866) 522-4723; elections.sboe@ncsbe.gov
Next up is
Nevada
Get registered to vote with your current name, at your current address, for the November 6, 2012 general election by October 6, 2012. If you miss the deadline to register online, by mail, at the DMV or through a voter registration drive, you can register to vote in person at your county clerk’s office up until October 16, 2012.
Click here for the form to register in NV
Here is what we need to know :
Here's what you need to know about registering in Nevada
•You need to be 18 or older on Election Day.
•You need to be a United States citizen.
•You need to be a resident of Nevada and the county in which you’d like to vote for 30 days before the election, and in the precinct for 10 days before the election.
•You can’t be a felon who has not had his or her right to vote restored.
•You can’t have been determined by a court of law to be mentally incompetent.
•You can’t have claimed any other place as your legal residence.
•If you’re a first-time voter who registers by mail, you’re required to submit proof of identification either at the time of registration or when you vote. You can include a copy of your identification with your registration form today! Acceptable forms of ID include: a current utility bill, bank statement, valid photo ID, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.
Don’t forget—your state may have additional ID requirements when you go to the polls.
If you have additional questions about voting in Nevada, please contact:
(775)-684-5705; nvelect@sos.nv.gov
On Election day
Nevada does not have a voter ID requirement in most cases, but if you haven’t yet voted in a federal election in Nevada, and didn’t show an ID when registering make sure you bring:
◦A current and valid photo ID that shows your physical address; or
◦A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or document issued by a governmental entity, including a check which indicates your name and address, but not including a voter registration card issued
In order to vote by mail, you need to provide:
◦A copy of a current and valid photo ID that shows your physical address; or
◦A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or document issued by a governmental entity, including a check which indicates your name and address, but not including a voter registration card.
◦If there is a question as to your physical address, the election board officer or clerk may request additional information.
◦These provisions do not apply to certain first-time voters. See if they applies to you.
If you have additional questions about voting in Nevada, please contact: Elections Division: 775-684-5705; nvelect@sos.nv.gov
I am enchanted by our last state today :
New Mexico.
Get registered to vote with your current name, at your current address, by 28 days before Election Day.
To be registered to for the November 6, 2012 general election, you must register no later than October 9, 2012.
Hand delivered voter registrations, delivered directly to the county clerk, may be delivered until October 12, 2012 , if the voter registration is dated and postmarked by October 9.
You can get your registration started right now.
On Election day :
New Mexico does not have an identification requirement for voting, but if you are registering to vote for the first time in New Mexico, you must submit a copy of one of the following forms of identification along with your registration form:
◦(1) a current and valid photo identification; or
◦(2) a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student identification card or other government document, including identification issued by an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo that shows your name and current address.
If you do not submit one of these forms of identification with your first- time registration, then you would be required to present one of the forms of identification when voting in person or absentee.
If you have additional questions about voting in New Mexico, please contact: Elections Division: 505.827.3600; diannaj.duran@state.nm.us
We must fight these voter suppression tactics of the Republicans through (1) beating them in the state legislatures / or winning governorships that will veto such Jim Crow type laws (2) beating them in court, (3) beating them in the court of public opinion and (4) getting our voters registered and to the polls on election day .
We can't let them win by trying to cheat the democratic process.
Due to space requirements, we will present 3 states at a time.
Our goal is to provide :
* a link to new legislation - or articles about it
a link to the new id requirements
* a link to where voters can find where to go to get registered / check registration
* a link to where voters can go to get the identification that they will need
* a link to any legal action / attempt to combat the Jim Crow type legislation
Pennsylvania :
Here is what is different :
The new law dramatically changes the requirements by mandating: (1) YOU MUST SHOW AN ID EVERY TIME YOU VOTE, and (2) only a valid photo ID (as identified below) is acceptable. The prior law only required you to present an ID if you were voting for the first time ever or voting for the first time in a new place (for example, when moving requires you to vote at a new polling place). And the prior law allowed you to identify yourself by showing photo or non‐photo ID with your name and address (for example, a utility bill, paycheck or bank statement).
OFA website for Pennsylvania voters
To get registered in PA click here
The registration form must be postmarked 30 days before election day.
The form asks for the last four digits of your social security number or your driver's license number. Identification cannot be expired by more than 1 year.
You can mail your form - so you don't have to present id to get registered, but you will need a valid photo id (or not expired by more than 1 year) to actually vote on election day. You must also have been a resident of your district in which you vote for at least 30 days prior to election day.
(717)-787-5280
***********************
Florida
To register to vote in Florida, you need :
6.Provide your current and valid Florida driver’s license number or Florida identification card number. If you do not have a Florida driver’s license number or a Florida identification card number then you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you do not have any of these items, you must write “none” in the box or field.
8.You must be registered for at least 29 days before you can vote in an election
The book closing dates for the 2012 election cycle are:
January 3, 2012………………Presidential Preference Primary
July 16, 2012……………………Primary Election
October 9, 2012………………General Election
On election day, to vote
you need :
Florida requires a valid picture identification and a signature to vote. The following photo IDs will be accepted:
◦Florida driver’s license
◦Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
◦United States passport
◦Debit or credit card
◦Military identification
◦Student identification
◦Retirement center identification
◦Neighborhood association identification
◦Public assistance identification
If your photo identification does not contain your signature, you can show a second ID that does. For example: your student photo ID + your debit card.
call Florida’s Voter Assistance Hotline at 1-866-308-6739.
**********************
Ohio
Voter Registration Drive in Ohio Resource
The registration deadline for Ohio is October 9 !
:
Check to see if you are registered to vote in Ohio here
You may print our a copy of a voter registration form for Ohio here
Voter registration cards can also be found :
The office of the Secretary of State;
The office of any of the 88 county boards of elections;
The office of the registrar or any deputy registrar of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles;
Public libraries;
Public high schools or vocational schools;
On election day :
A voter presenting an Ohio driver's license that shows the voter's former address is permitted to cast a regular ballot so long as the voter's current residential address is printed in the official poll list of registered voters for that precinct
Voter id that is acceptable on election day in Ohio :
The forms of identification that may be used by a voter who appears at a polling place to vote on an Election Day include:
A current and valid photo identification card issued by the State of Ohio or the United States government; or
A military identification ("military ID"); or
An original or copy of a current utility bill; or
An original or copy of a current bank statement; or
An original or copy of a current government check; or
An original or copy of a current paycheck; or
An original or copy of a current other government document, other than a voter registration acknowledgement notification mailed by the board of elections, that shows the voter’s name and current address.
Questions about voting in Ohio - click here
**********************
If you have questions about voting requirements or how to get registered or what id is needed, kosmail me : If I don't know, I will find out !
**********************
Having this person in Congress (WA-01) would be great for President Obama !
So, please if you are able, consider a
donation to her campaign ! Thank you very much !