A major topic of discussion at the Palmerton Area Democratic Club meeting tonight was the Republican-passed Voter ID bill, also known as the Vote Suppression Act. Members discussed how we could help older voters obtain copies of their birth certificates, needed to get the ID card at PennDot centers. We talked about how to educate voters on the new requirement, and noted how elderly voters in urban areas who never drove now have to go through the hassle of obtaining a picture ID.
Near the end of the meeting, however, my friend Bernie pointed out a very important fact. We did not have the voter ID requirement in the primary, and fewer than 28% of the eligible voters cast ballots in Carbon County. That is eligible voters. Probably about half of the potential voters are registered in this county, so the actual turnout may have been closer to 12 or 13%. A few weeks ago I visited five houses on Pohopoco Drive, and I couldn’t find a single person who wanted to register. Voter ID was not an issue.
I know why the Republicans passed the ID requirement. I also know that if we could somehow convince unregistered Democrats to register and vote, we’d win every election in spite of the ID requirement.
P.S. I just heard that North Carolina voters amended the state constitution to forbid gay marriage. Given the level of bigotry, religious fanaticism, and just plain meanness in the U.S. in 2012, I am not surprised.
It's all about educating the voters or potential voters. These are the same people who complain about how bad things are and how bad all politicians are. They really are plain lazy and uncaring.
ReplyDeleteWhen they lose their medicare and have social security cut, which will happen if Romney and Ryan get their way, maybe then they will start caring. But then it will be too late! I get tired of telling people but I still try. It's just hard to fight ignorance, complacency and apathy.
There should be a law requiring people to vote. If you don't vote you get fined. People in other countries are dying for the right to vote.
In the end, people will get the government they deserve, whether they like the results or not.
The Republicans were not thinking when they created this law, but do they ever.
ReplyDeleteI give you an example; Lancaster county where the Amish total approx. 12,000 in numbers and they always vote republican and will not allow their picture to be taken. The law allows for a non-photo ID, but they must answer an 18 question application and write a reason why there religious affiliation will not permit a photo.
Hopefully this will be a backlash to them in Lancaster county.