We voted on Tuesday. Actually, a few of us voted. I haven’t seen the figures on turnout, but I’d bet it was under 50% in Carbon County and across the state. Turnout could be increased, of course. We could have election day registration. Other states do. We could make absentee ballots available to anyone who wants one for whatever reason. Other states do. We could have voting by mail. We could have paper ballots with scanners instead of computers that scare people. We could make it easier for third parties to form. Other states do.
So what is the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania House of Representatives doing? Our legislators passed a bill to require all voters to produce official picture ID before they are allowed to vote. Last year Pennsylvania had four cases--out of millions of voters--of attempted fraud. On the other hand, I know of at least four people in Towamensing Township who won’t vote because they are afraid of the computerized voting machines.
But doesn’t every one have picture ID? Quick answer--no, especially not the elderly and the poor--usually Democrats.
Even if they do, however, here’s a primer on voter suppression. It’s 5 p.m. The voter line is out the door. I finally reach the desk. I know the poll workers--Sandy, Ricky, Helen, Wendy--and I say hi and start to sign in. The Republican poll watcher then says, “He didn’t show his ID.” I fumble for my wallet and then hunt for my license. My aunt, in line behind me, doesn’t have her ID with her--she didn’t bring her purse because I drove her to the polls. She doesn’t want to take the time to get it, even though every poll worker knows her. Another Democratic voter has been successfully discouraged.
If you think that is not why the Republicans passed this bill, you are probably unaware of Republican efforts across the country to discourage Democratic voting. These are not nice people. Fairness is not in their vocabulary.
The Wisconsin senate passed their voter ID law yesterday. This law is supposed to prevent voter fraud.
ReplyDeleteThere have been approximately 10 cases of voter fraud in their last election. In order to do the voter ID's for people, it will cost Wisconsin over $7 million. All of this to hopefully prevent that rampant voter fraud. Now, remember that Governor Walker said that Wisconsin had a huge budget deficit. Doesn't make much sense to me why he wants to increase the budget deficit. It just might have something to do with the six Republican senators up for recall in July. Not to forget his probable recall in January.
I think all of these republican governors need to be taught a lesson in how democracy works. Hopefully it starts in July and continues across the country.