Don't need proof of citizenship to vote?

Question

Today's Chicago Tribune had an article about a woman (legal immigrant) who registered to vote, and did vote, even though she is not yet a citizen. ICE is considering deporting her.

Here's the shocker: federal law apparently forbids the registrar from asking for proof of US citizenship! That's right - if someone checks that he/she is a citizen, we take them at face value without even asking if they're sure.

Should this be changed? What's the best way to do so without opening it up to charges of prejudicial treatment?

As a legal immigrant, she was issued a social security number and a drivers license. It was while getting the DL that she registered to vote.

Answer 1

should this be changed? ...bet all Democrats would answer NO !... the illegal spanish vote is what is going to win this election for them

Answer 2

It's not discrimination to show an ID per se - the problem arises because it's almost impossible for the poor to GET identification documents. For example, Georgia recently passed a law saying that in order to vote, you had to present a driver's license or equivalent state-issued ID. Problem is, there is not a single driver's license office anywhere in Atlanta. Not one. The closest one is in Decatur, which is a two-hour drive by car, and a four-hour bus ride. So it would put an undue burden on the poor without cars (who'd have to take an entire day off of work, if they have jobs) to go to the nearest license office by bus. Also, in order to get an ID, you have to have a birth certificate now. If you want a birth certificate, you have to call the vital records office of wherever you were born. But if you don't have a telephone or access to the internet, it's almost impossible to find the numbers for these offices. So you have to find a way to get that document, then you have to take a day off of work to go to some office in an out of hte way location to get an ID document. Final note: In order to get an ID, you have to pay a fee. If a fee is required to get an ID required to vote, then a fee is required to vote. This is a poll tax, and it's unconstitutional. The far better way to do things is with provisional ballots: You vote, and your vote is marked as provisional. So election officials check the name of the voter to the voter rolls of registered voters in that precinct. If the name matches, the vote counts. If it doesn't, it doesn't. And ANY election worker can require ANY voter to file a provisional ballot. It's not like it's all that hard, and it doesn't put an undue burden on states because they've been doing provisional ballots for a hundred years, so it's not anything new.

Answer 3

Unfortunately the ID requirement that many above me have noted as a bar to illegal voting has far too many instances of fraud for many, myself included.

Drivers licenses can be legally acquired by illegal aliens in several states (mine included - WA).

Some states have other requirements such as social security numbers and we all know that there are likely several million numbers out there that are being used illegally right now.

The truth is that many illegals do vote, although I feel the numbers are inflated by some conspiracy theorists.

But the real argument is why not just mandate that EVERYONE show a valid ID that only legal citizens can obtain. No discrimination since everyone would have one. Some argue that it would place an undue burden on the poor. I don't buy that.

Answer 4

My state is really lax. They've never asked me for ID or my registration card. It has actually bothered me, because anyone could go in and forge my signature (you can see a copy of it on the page while you're signing). Back when I registered, all they asked for was mail verifying my address, and they looked to see that my parents (who were registered) were at the same address. I've moved 4 times, no one has ever asked for anything at those 4 places. And, I'm still on the books where I lived when I was 18 (my parents see it every election listed under thier names). I haven't voted there in over 14 years.

I really think we need to have federal guidelines, because some states are really strict, others are really lax. As it is now, its up to the states to set the guidelines.

Answer 5

This has probably been blown out of proportion.

I know for a fact that to register to vote, they require a US passport number (to confirm that you are a citizen) or a US social security number (so they can check if you are a citizen) at the very least. This is what I was asked for when I registered.

Secondly, you require a Voter Registration Card or State ID to actually vote.

They definately do not just take peoples word for it.

EDIT: I see that I am wrong about this. All that I can say in my defense is that when I originally registered to vote, I did so from abroad and was asked for a US passport number and/or social security number and US drivers licence number (if applicable).

Answer 6

Hell yes this should be changed!! The libs always say that asking for ID at polling places makes the poor not vote because they cannot afford an ID. BS!!! If no one is checking ID's then they can get a whole lot more illegals to vote for them with the promise of amnesty.

Answer 7

In California (where there are tons of illegals) all you need to vote is a Photo ID. All you need to register is to fill out the form and check "Yes" about citizenship.

Why do you think the left wants Driver's Licenses for illegals so badly?

Answer 8

I feel absolutely no pity for her. Voter fraud is a serious crime.

you should be REQUIRED to prove right-to-vote in order to both register and vote.

use a STATE ID card. they're cheap.

I don't see anything prejudicial about requiring ID for voters. people whine: "but what about poor people?"

a state ID isn't expensive. It's, what, $4 for 6 years?

Answer 9

The only people who would take offense to identifying themselves would be those with no ID, don't you think? I always have to show my drivers license to vote and I wouldn't be opposed to a birth certificate and SS# s well. What ever it takes to keep illegals out of the polling places. We may need to go to finger printing, I'd do that with no problem as well.

Answer 10

When I was at the motor vehicles they asked me if I was a us citizen. That was done first. But as I think about it, anyone could say "Yes" to that question whether they are or aren't.
Then they asked me if I wanted to register to vote. And I did.

This is in Ohio. So its different here than it is there.

Answer 11

A great example of how the government just can't seem to follow through and make any policy effective. I think polital correctness and the fear of offence is killing our political system.... what ever happened to sovernty ? We have to be a bit exclusive with these things. If she isn't a citizen yet she has no buisness voting in our elections.