E.J. Dionne ~ States Rigging the Election

June 20, 2011 by Marie Posted in Education, History, Politics 10 Comments

In his most recent column for the Washington Post, E. J. Dionne posits that the wide-spread state laws ostensibly enacted to combat voter fraud are really an attack on the right to vote. Claiming that study after study found no major voter fraud problems, Dionne sees that : “Their greatest impact will be to reduce turnout among African Americans, Latinos and the young. It is no accident that these groups were key to Barack Obama’s victory in 2008 — or that the laws in question are being enacted in states where Republicans control state governments.”

His advice to deal with the impact of these laws: “The poor, the young and people of color should get their IDs, flock to the polls and insist on their right to vote in 2012.” To get more on Dionne’s take on these new election laws, read his column here at PostOpinions.

10 Responses to E.J. Dionne ~ States Rigging the Election

  1. Renee Aste says:

    I’m not disputing that it may have no to little affect on voter fraud, but it is odd not to show your ID. As a regular voter, the poll workers (who know my in-laws) know myself and my husband. We show our IDs everywhere else. When I get my blood work done, I show my ID. When I do a CORI check at my children’s school, despite them knowing who I am they are required by state law to check my ID. I’m obviously no where close to 21, and can’t pass for it still I get carded.

    Why not show our IDs as a required protection, no matter how low the risk of fraud may be?

  2. Publius says:

    Actually voter fraud is rampant. The Secretary of State of Colorado released a report earlier this year which found 12,00 noncitizens registered to vote and almost 5.000 noncitizens actually voted in the November 2010 election.

  4. DickH says:

    I challenge anyone to cite a single instance of voter fraud in Massachusetts. Why bring in Colorado? What about closer to home? There aren’t any. Everyone cries about low voter turnout – why throw another obstacle in the path of those who want to vote? Why create a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist? Because there is, as the columnist asserts, an ulterior motive.

  5. Shawn says:

    Perhaps you’re forgetting that the people responsible for looking for fraud are all members of the party that would be benefiting from it.

    What obstacle are you talking about? Getting a license or id? something every 15 and 16 yo does at their earliest convenience. The only ones who don’t are usually the ones who can’t.

    People have rights and responsibilities, as our buddy says over on LIL. If they want the right, they should be responsible for it.

  6. Righty Bulger says:

    Why bring in Colorado? Because if its happening there, you can be sure its happening here and everywhere else. Its tough to find concrete examples because authorities turn a blind eye toward it.

    Tell you what though. Require identification at the next election, then compare voting data with previous elections. Think you’ll find a few folks who suddenly couldn’t find the time to vote in 2012 when they’d managed to make it to the ballot box over the past couple of decades?

    What are democrats so afraid of anyway with this issue? To me, it seems more like they’re afraid of the truth coming out rather than voter disenchantment.

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/watercooler/2010/jan/16/ed-schultz-id-cheat-keep-brown-winning/

  7. Mary says:

    Obstacle? Seriously? Why shouldn’t we want to do everything possible to make sure everyone that votes is eligible? Every 16 year old in this state wants to drive and they receive a picture ID license to do it. I need an ID to return something at Walmart if I don’t have a receipt. I need an ID to purchase certain over the counter cold medications. You can’t buy alcohol without an ID and you can’t drive. You should not be able to vote without an ID. I

    t is so easy to get an ID from the RMV. It’s insulting to say that African Americans and Hispanics can’t figure out how. Democrats always pull out the race card on this issue because they WANT illegals to be able to vote. See if from the other side for once. You want them to vote because they’ll vote for your guy/gal. I have no problem with any minority group having the right to vote whatever way they choose. They have that right and should exercise it. What I have a problem with is condoning voter fraud in the name political correctness.

  8. Mr. Lynne says:

    This predates the Colorado study by a year, but seems a significant data point.

    would you be surprised to know that the only case of actual voter fraud being prosecuted right now is the Republican Indiana Secretary of State?

    Secretary of State Charlie White, the top election official in Indianapolis, is facing seven felony counts, including voter fraud, perjury and theft, all connected to what a prosecutor said was an attempt to hold on to his seat on the town council even though he was living outside of his designated district.

  9. Righty Bulger says:

    Fraud is fraud regardless who the perps are. What your argument does Mr. Lynne is actually point to the fact that it does exist everywhere. Require ID’s and you’ll either have lots more prosecutions or much more honest elections. Either outcome is better than what currently exists. However, judging by the cries emanating from the left, I’m guessing they know who really benefits from voter fraud in the majority of cases.