Incredulously, though it’s a felony to vote if the voter is not a United States Citizen, all one needs is a face to vote in our elections. It goes without saying; the Democratic Party wants it that way.
Incredulously, all one needs is a face to vote in a United States election.
Do I need to show proof of identification when I vote if I registered using the National Form?
If you are voting for the first time in your state and are registering by mail, Federal law may require you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. This proof of identification includes the following (or if voting by mail, a COPY of the following):
- A current and valid photo identification; OR
- A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address.
Federal law does not require you to show proof of identification at the polling place or when voting by mail if (1) you provided COPIES of the above with your National Mail Voter Registration Form; (2) your voter registration form has been verified by an election official; or (3) you are entitled by federal law to vote by absentee ballot. Please note that individual states may have additional voter identification requirements.
Numerous attempts to pass strict legislation to insure that a voter is a U.S. citizen have failed.
Republican sponsors of the voter identification bill said it was a commonsense way to stop fraud at the polls. People need photo IDs to board planes, buy alcohol or cash checks, said Rep. Vernon Ehlers, R-Mich., chairman of the House Administration Committee, commented “This is not a new concept.” Rep. Ehlers has developed
Project Vote Smart: The Voter’s Self-Defense System.
“This is what Americans want,” said Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., “They want safe borders and they want safe ballots.”
But Democrats assailed the legislation, saying it could hurt minorities, the poor and the elderly — groups that tend to vote Democratic — who might have trouble producing a photo identification.
“This bill is tantamount to a 21st century poll tax,” said Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md. “It will disenfranchise large number of legal voters.”
WHAT ARE THE “ID REQUIREMENTS” FOR VOTING UNDER HAVA?
Section 303 (b) of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) sets forth requirements for some voters to provide ID to vote.
Implementation of the specifics of this requirement can be quite complicated for election officials, but in general: If a voter registers to vote in a county on or after January 1, 2003, the registration is by mail, and the voter has not previously voted in that county, then the voter must either provide ID when he or she registers or provide ID when he or she votes.
HOW DOES A VOTER PROVE ID?
Section 303 (b) (2) specifies the ID requirements for voters who vote in person or by absentee ballot.
“In person” voters must show”current and valid photo identification” or “a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter.”
“Absentee voters” must submit with their ballot one of the documents listed above.
The Secretary of State, in accordance with Elections Code section 14310 (e), has promulgated emergency regulations defining the documents a voter may use to prove ID to vote (see FAQ #3 — STANDARDS FOR PROOF OF RESIDENCY WHEN PROOF IS REQUIRED BY HAVA – Section 20107 of Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations). Did you know that, residents of Santa Ana, CA?
Yes.
First, the requirement only applies to voters who have never voted in the county in a federal election. Persons who were already registered as of January 1, 2003, or who change address within the county and re-register, are not required to show ID to vote.
Second, voters who do not register to vote “by mail” are not required to show ID to vote.
Third, Section 303 (b) (3) states that if the voter provides his or her driver’s license number, or the last 4 digits of his or her social security number, on the form to register to vote, and the elections official can verify the number is correct, then the ID requirement does not apply.
Is there any question about why Barbara Boxer and Nancy Pelosi continue to be elected ?
Random thoughts while observing the passing charade, I’m J.C.
Jim Campbell runs Charging Elephants. Jim can be reached at:
letters@canadafreepress.com
