A press release from Joe Walsh:
Joe Walsh
Rep. Walsh: Stop Voter Fraud
Introduces bill requiring photo-ID at the polls
WASHINGTON- Today Congressman Joe Walsh (IL-8) introduced the Federal Elections Integrity Act, which requires voters to present a government-issued photo ID to vote in federal elections. Currently Illinois and 33 other states do not require a photo ID on Election Day.
“Current federal law requires those voting in federal elections to be American citizens,” said Walsh.
“This long overdue bill simply enforces that requirement and will be a huge step towards combating voter fraud in this country.”
Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 that required states to make driver’s licenses and other state-issued ID cards contingent upon citizenship and visa status.
Moreover, the bipartisan Commission on Federal Election Reform also advocated for photo ID requirements when voting.
“Voter fraud in this country is a real issue.
“We have seen plenty of examples of people lying about who they are, and convicted felons, dead people, and illegal immigrants voting.
“This bill is just common sense.
“The American people understand that it makes no sense that a photo ID is required to get a library card or board an airplane, but not required to do something as sacred as voting.”
Following the introduction of the Federal Elections Integrity Act, Walsh will work with Republicans and Democrats to push for swift action on the bill.
Highlights of the Federal Elections Integrity Act:
- State or election officials are forbidden from providing a ballot to a person voting in person unless they can verify their identity through a current government-issued photo ID.
- If the voter does not have an ID at the time the ballot is requested, they will be issued a provisional ballot in which they will need to provide the required ID within 48 hours.
- Those voting by absentee ballot must submit a copy of the required ID. This rules exempts overseas military voters.
- Bill takes effect in 2013 and will be in place for the November 2014 elections.
I do love that you need to show an ID to buy cigarettes, adult materials, booze, go to the library, etc…but do not need one to vote.
This is LONG overdue!
I would like to see the proof of these claims that fraud is “Voter fraud in this country is a real issue.” and that “We have seen plenty of examples of people lying about who they are, and convicted felons, dead people, and illegal immigrants voting.”
If they have plenty of examples, then I’d like to see the documented cases of this happening.
Only then can the public make an informed decision on whether or not something like this is needed.
Just going around saying it’s a problem doesn’t make it one.
Since when do you need to show ID to go to a library?
From the Daily Herald Letter to the Editor Section, June 2nd, 2012:
In rebuttal to a letter on May 24 about photo ID for voting.
A 2007 Brennan Center for Justice Report titled “The Truth About Voter Fraud” found that it is more likely that an individual will be struck by lightning than that he will impersonate another voter at the polls.
So, while I agree with the writer that fraud is wrong, the fact is that there is practically no voter fraud.
In Illinois we have a population of roughly 13 million.
A 2009 Homeland Security study estimated there are 540,000 illegal immigrants in Illinois.
Some people say that illegal immigrants are scared to try to vote in fear of deportation.
According to national weather statistics, an individual has an estimated 1 in 775,000 chance per year of being struck by lightning.
My estimated total of voter fraud in Illinois in one year: 17.5 votes.
Driving a car or flying in a plane is a privilege some of our residents might never experience. Voting is a right that should not be blocked by insidious regulations.
Kent Wachlin
Arlington Heights
would obama and madigan go along with this. they cater to illegals.
Read much?
I suggest you try walking into any Public Library here or elsewhere and ask for a library card to be issued to you.
You’ll need your driver’s license or state ID card and a property tax or utility bill.
I have to show mine every time I renew my card as evidence that I haven’t moved out of the district.
The point’s well taken… if we need proof positive of age to buy alcohol, drive a car, or whatever; why shouldn’t we be able to provide some proof that we’re actually entitled to vote.
Let’s not get carried to extremes though… Like what kind of proof that your right to vote is not disabled by virtue of an incomplete sentence for a felony offense would be adequate for the 85 year old woman manning the polling place?
Didn’t some precincts in Madison, WI have greater than 100% turnout?
All the doubters need to see is the video were the election judge hands a stranger Eric Holder’s primary ballot.
Curious, what about all the folks who are disenfranchised about these examples (and countless more) of vote fraud and don’t vote?
I’m sure many Republican and Democrat volunteers has heard the excuse “my vote doesn’t count”.
Is that disenfranchised person’s any less valuable than another?
This isn’t about partisanship, it’s about honest elections!
If you owe child support, you cannot vote.
As an election judge, it would make my job easier.
I know most of my voters.
In 2008 I saw some that, I will not see again.
I’m an election judge as well and I think it would make things harder, especially in high-turnout elections.
We are in a high-growth precinct and it’s hard enough trying to direct people to the right polling place, let alone try to police drivers licenses or other ID that often show a previous address.
I think comparing a voter’s signature is sufficient at the polling place, assuming that the judges are legit and actually take the time to compare the signatures with the printed record.
By the way, a photo ID IS required to be a voter — you need to show ID and proof of residency to the County Clerk before you can even be added to the voter rolls.
I’m much more concerned about voter fraud using electronic machines — if one believes voter fraud is rampant (which I don’t) why steal one vote at a time, by hand, when you can steal dozens or even hundreds with a couple of keystrokes in a back room?
I prefer the optical-scan voting because there is a permanent ballot and a permanent record that can be counted again later if necessary.
This is a brilliant bill. I hope Congressman Walsh can see this on the floor of the Senate. While this is sure to pass the House, Harry Reid and the Senate of NO will let this bill “whither on the vine” like everything else.
http://www.senatebudgetwatch.com
Respectfully,
Andrew Gasser
This bill is D.O.A and a waste of “Less Government Joe’s Time. But hey, the electorate of the old 8th just wasted a year and half of representation with this guy.
You do need two forms of ID and one has to be a picture (D/L or State ID) to register to vote. The respective county clerks issue voter registration cards. IL does not have same day register/vote.
So if your name is on the vote’s roll, you have already been screened to vote.
Now if you have issues with who is voting, take that up with your respective County Clerk.
Funny how the conservatives are the ones who have issues with wanting IDs and MORE regulation with voter’s registration.
This is merely a publicity bill.
No intention of actually ever going anywhere.
You do need to provide a form of ID to vote- when you register.
We have election judges to police the polls by comparing the signature.
With voter turn out generally under 50%, lets put one more barrier to entry between voters and the ballot box- slow down the already slow system…. We had 14% turnout at our last election- voter fraud???
How about voter apathy?????
Just because we had people actually leave their couch in 2008 doesn’t imply fraud… it implies action.
And about time.
Frankly. I don’t care who you vote for, as long as you participate in the right people are on the front lines to defend.
It is voter apathy that should be talked about not fraud.
When it’s gun control laws, Conservatives always say “we don’t need more laws, we need to enforce the laws we have”.
I support that line of thinking by the way.
So shouldn’t that logic apply here?
We don’t need another law for this.
Not that Joe would know that or care, frankly.
He’s just throwing red meat to the base.
If he were interested in making a difference,
Joe might propose bills that have a chance of passing and actually making an impact.
Allen your question “Didn’t some precincts in Madison, WI have greater than 100% turnout?” in this forum makes it sound like this was because of voter fraud- it most certainly was not.
Wisconsin allows same-day registration (with photo ID and proof of residence).
In one precinct in Madison, over 150 new voters registered the day of election, giving that precinct a 106% turn out.
It’s a rather sad commentary when a GOOD thing like people turning out to vote is viewed so negatively.
Those who claim that there is no vote fraud or refer to the now widely discredited Brennan Study are either ignorant or lying.
MN Sen Al Franken was elected by a less than 400 votes despite the fact the 1200 CONVICTED FELONS voted illegally.
At least 200 of these convicts are back in prison following conviction for FELONY VOTE FRAUD.
Yet Franken still sits in the US Senate, despite having gotten there illegally.
Fraudulent elections have consequences.
Had Cole been returned to the Senate, there would not have been an Obamacare bill passed.
Without vote fraud, there would have been no Obamacare bill.
In the WI Recall election, there are investigations of massive voter fraud by the Democrats. Everything from illegal electioneering to stuffing the ballot boxes are being investigated.
People were caught voting more than once. Voting documents were found in the trash http://www.maciverinstitute.com/2012/06/curious-election-documents-found-in-dumpster-in-racine-sheriffs-department-investigating/
Election officials who signed recall petitions refused to accept challenges to voters that were ineligible to vote. http://mediatrackers.org/2012/06/14/election-official-who-refused-challenge-signed-walker-wanggaard-recall-petitions/
GOTV efforts were operated by illegal alien front groups. http://www.scribd.com/vicki_mckenna/d/97091862-Voter-Fraud-Racine
Blue-fist T-shirt wears (union members) would swamp precincts and illegally electioneer.
See above citation
In SC, 500 illegal ballots were caught. In FL, dozens of ILLEGAL ALIENS have been caught with illegal voter registration AND have voted illegally.
In 2000, FL, Democrat State Rep Irving Slosberg was caught with an illegal voting machine and blank ballots in his car trunk.
http://therecoveringpolitician.com/contributors/adavis/artur-davis-i-should-have-supported-voter-id-law
Vote fraud – from ACORN (who worked with and for Obama) to the DNC, vote fraud is endemic in this country.
Almost all of it comes from the Democratic Party.
This is why they oppose voter id laws. If Democrats can’t cheat, they can’t “win.”
J, the only problem with your post above is that it’s wildly inaccurate.
I can’t blame you for believing it- there are a lot of websites out there that want to feed you incorrect information.
I won’t go line for line through your post (though I certainly could knock down every single accusation) but your main accusation that Al Franken was elected by voter fraud through felons is absolutely without question false.
The State of Minnesota investigated 700 cases of “voter fraud” in that election and found exactly 30 cases which were prosecuted.
The vast majority of the cases brought to light by “Minnesota Majority” were simple cases of “mistaken identity” usually caused by a felon with a common name calling into question several valid votes cast by others who share that name.
Joe …your inaccurate information must have come from The Huffington Post.
The BIGGEST liberal press around.
They are authors of bias and warped news.
Your claim of mistaken identity would not have happened with a PHOTO ID.
Wake up and smell the coffee.
Joe says: “J, the only problem with your post above is that it’s wildly inaccurate.”
Okay, PROVE IT!
Joe: “I won’t go line for line through your post (though I certainly could knock down every single accusation) but your main accusation that Al Franken was elected by voter fraud through felons is absolutely without question false.”
Okay, PROVE IT! The real reason you won’t go “line-by-line” because you know these news article I cite have caught your party in blatant vote fraud.
Joe: “The State of Minnesota investigated 700 cases of “voter fraud” in that election and found exactly 30 cases which were prosecuted. ”
You are either woefully ill informed or you are lying. Follow along…
“St. Paul – Minnesota Majority today released a report on voter fraud convictions (pdf) to date stemming from Minnesota’s 2008 general election. The report finds that 113 individuals who voted illegally in the 2008 election have been convicted of the crime, “ineligible voter knowingly votes” under Minnesota Statute 201.014. ”
From the report at http://www.electionintegritywatch.com/documents/2011-Report-Voter-Fraud-Convictions.pdf. “As of August 10th, 2011, 113 individuals are now known to have been convicted for voter fraud
committed in 2008.”
This was a year ago. Time marches on – and so do convicted vote fraud felons marching inside the prison yard.
KARE Ch 11 in January 2012 says that the number of convictions is about 200. http://www.kare11.com/news/article/959567/391/Voting-rights-for-released-felons-debated-in-Minn
Pioneer Press says that 1000 FELONS (identified by name) voted. http://www.twincities.com/opinion/ci_20712879/andy-cilek-confirm-eligibility-all-voters-before-they
As of 3/12/12, “Nearly 200 have since been convicted and approximately 100 more are awaiting trial. ”
Look, these are matters of fact. Joe. you are either woefully ill informed or you are lying when you claim only 30 were prosecuted.
Franken stole the election by 312 votes. We know that at least 1000 FELONS ILLEGALLY VOTED and 200 of whom were so far convicted with another 100 felons awaiting trial.
You can’t lie or pretend that voter fraud is NOT the Democratic Party’s national behind-closed-doors sport.
And find another source for “news” than David Brocks’s Media Matters or George Soros’ Talkingpointsmemo.
J, I guess I can never convince you that you are listening to bad information. You’ve formed an opinion and are going to cling to it. That’s what happens when you think the “other side” is evil and corrupt and will go to any lengths to perform their evil deeds.
The pioneer article you linked to is an “opinion piece” written by the head of the group that produced the erroneous study in the first place. YES, he THINKS that hundreds of felons voted illegally. He turned those charges over to the authorities and they found 30 (thirty) that could have been the result of voter fraud. And this law (requiring a picture ID) would have made NO difference in any of this- the “same day registration” that Minnesota Majority claims made it all possible requires registrants to show a picture ID when they register and vote.
I used to, like you, ascribe horrible, evil motives to those who didn’t think as I do. It’s a self-defeating proposition if you care at all about “the truth.”
And of course, your leap of logic that a felon will always vote Democratic brings a smile to my face.
Again.
Try not to always think the worst of someone just because they think differently than you do.
Joe says:
06/21/2012 at 4:08 pm
That I “think the “other side” is evil and corrupt and will go to any lengths to perform their evil deeds.”
Former DEMOCRAT and former US Representative Artur Davis pulls back the curtain on YOUR PARTY. It isn’t my belief, it’s HIS TESTIMONY about how the Democratic Party operates that defines your party. Read his words:
“The truth is that the most aggressive contemporary voter suppression in the African American community, at least in Alabama, is the wholesale manufacture of ballots, at the polls and absentee, in parts of the Black Belt. Voting the names of the dead, and the nonexistent, and the too-mentally-impaired to function, cancels out the votes of citizens who are exercising their rights — that’s suppression by any light. If you doubt it exists, I don’t; I’ve heard the peddlers of these ballots brag about it, I’ve been asked to provide the funds for it, I am confident it has changed at least a few close local election results.”
http://therecoveringpolitician.com/contributors/adavis/artur-davis-i-should-have-supported-voter-id-law
That’s called “an admission,” Joe. It was made by a man who was on the INSIDE of the Democratic Party. I’m not blindly saying that Democrats commit vote fraud – Davis is! He would know.
Do you really think that Illinois, with the reputation of the 3rd most corrupt state, whose major city is Chicago, recognized as the most corrupt city in the nation, is “cleaner” than Alabama? Or Wisconsin?
Law professor, radio host, and author Hugh Hewitt wrote a book titled “If It’s Not Close, They Can’t Cheat.” You should read it, Joe.
Show ID to Vote supports voter verification but not necessarily requiring a Photo ID.
It is up to each State to best determine how to police and protect the vote.
he Federal government should only step in when a State does not protect the rights of citizens.
National rules are not the best 1st step.
We do not have to wait for the government to enact legislation to protect our elections.
Citizens can get involved on election days as observers and poll officials. We can support efforts such as True the Vote to clean the voter rolls of imaginary voters.
Learn more from ShowIDtoVote:
http://www.SHowIDtoVote.com
https://www.facebook.com/ShowIDtoVote
https://twitter.com/showidtovote @ShowIDtoVote