I filled out my voter registration card months before I turned 18. It sat on my dresser impatiently until finally I was old enough to send 'er in. It was fun and easy. This election, the very process of voter registration has sparked passionate points of view: this editorial advocates for a minimal civics test that hopeful voters would have to pass in order to wield the power of the punch card.
He says, "I really don't want someone on the streets of Hollywood, who just failed to identify the vice president of the United States on one of Jay Leno's "Jay-Walking" segments, helping to select the person who will lead my government for the next four years." Given that we require basic knowledge to become a citizen or operate a motor vehicle, is choosing the future of the country a responsibility that should have stricter requirements?
Despite this opinion, the US seems to be moving away from more restrictions, to easy-as-pie-voting. A new Ohio voting law allows for a window of time (Sept. 30-Oct. 6) during which voters can register and vote early, immediately. Voting registration is controversial and there's a partisan aspect to the split according to this piece in the WSJ:
Traditionally, Democrats favor fewer checks on verification and greater access to voting to encourage larger turnouts, particularly among lower-income and minority voters, who tend to favor Democrats. Republicans usually push for closer monitoring, in such forms as laws with strict requirements for voters to present identification, which can result in lower turnout.
Does an ever increasingly easy/free-for-all access to voting a requirement of a democracy, or does the gravity of the task of voting deserve stricter requirements and heightened security measures?
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History has shown that the trouble with tests and restrictions is that they're easily manipulated to keep certain people and groups from voting or from having their votes counted. I'm okay with proving identity when someone registers, but against anything that obstructs any citizen's right to vote at the polls.
1"Given that we require basic knowledge to become a citizen or operate a motor vehicle, is choosing the future of the country a responsibility that should have stricter requirements?"
I didn't have to take a test to become a citizen.
I do think that the system needs integrity, so that we don't have people voting multiple times under fake identities. However, I don't think that the Democrats are asking for a "free for all" when it comes to voting. You still need the traditional documents to verify identity.
Allowing people to register in September through Oct. 6th does not compromise the integrity of the system, IMO.
2it's kind of strange how when you go to the polls, you just tell them your name & they never check ID. i'm 100% for everyone having free & easy access to the polls, but it just seems like there should be some way to ensure that the person who's coming to vote is actually who they say they are.
3>it's kind of strange how when you go to the polls, you just tell them your name & they never check ID.
FYI, that varies by state.
4I would never actually support it because I agree that the system would be too easy to manipulate. But man I wish it were possible to just check and see if people were voting based on bogus facts. Like, how different would things be if everyone who thought Saddam Hussein was responsible for the attacks of September 11th wasn't allowed to vote for president in 2004?
5I've had to produce a license or utility bill with a voting district address when I went to vote.
6i think giving people easier access to voting is a great idea... the next step is for us to vote on a saturday, or to make election days holidays. it never made sense to me that people would have to leave work to travel back to their home-area just to vote. stupid.
also, i've worked the polls a few times now. in the primary in feb. i was a precinct captain. voting should be easy, but actually holding the elections could be easier as well. it was INCREDIBLY hard to make sure that nothing went wrong with all of the very specific forms people had to fill out and keys locking this up and that. even i was confused by the process, and i like to think of myself as being pretty quick. remember, poll workers are not government employees and often only have one short training session to prepare them. its a miracle that elections even happen!
7yesteryear, that is sad! I know in LA county, during the primaries, 50% of the independent vote didn't count because voters were not given the correct instructions (they need to punch 2 holes, not just their candidate choice).
When 50% of the votes are thrown out because of mangled polling stations, something needs to be done!
8"I would never actually support it because I agree that the system would be too easy to manipulate."
Are you talking about the Ohio proposal allowing people to register until Oct. 6th?
9I'm talking about making people pass a test in order to be allowed to vote.
10Ahh! I agree with you on that.
11I don't necessarily believe in testing...but heaven forbid you have to prove who you say you are for your vote to count!! You should have to be able to read directions and fill out a ballot correctly though.
12I think very few people who go to vote have a really good grasp of the important issues. I would include myself in this category by the way. I mean, to fully understand the implications of economic strategy, national health care, the effect of raising the minimum wage... eish. I mean, people study this stuff for YEARS and still don't get it.
So people vote along party lines because it's the core ideology that's important, or they vote for a person because they believe that person to be a strong leader or whatever.
It's not perfect of course, but I guess that's the risk that a democratic society takes.
13at my precinct we had over 30 different ballots we had to sort through every time a voter came in. because it was a primary we had ballots for each party, in something like 7 different languages... it was really confusing.
14We have had electronic machines for some time now. It makes it a lot easier.
15I live at college during the semester which is about 1 hour away from where my "home" address is. I've signed up to do absentee voting... but I'm so afraid that it might not get here or it might not get counted. See during the primaries the ballot never got here and then during a different local election it did. So I don't know if it will show up or not in Oct/Nov!!
And that worries me a lot. I guess if if never shows up I'll just drive the hour and vote... to
me it is worth it!
16I remembered learning in school that ID checks to vote were unconstitutional, and I was miffed when asked to present ID. I can see that we want to prevent voter fraud, but some people don't have ID or are intimidated by anyone who asks them to show it. I bring a piece of mail as my ID as my own teeny tiny not-very-effective protest.
17eh.. I guess I should address the question asked. I agree with the first post.
18>I live at college during the semester which is about 1 hour away from where my "home" address is. I've signed up to do absentee voting... but I'm so afraid that it might not get here or it might not get counted.
This might vary by state, but it should be the same everywhere: you can drop your absentee ballot off at any polling place on election day.
19kikidawn, is it too late to change your address to your school address?
20Rather than barring people we deem "too stupid to vote" from the polling places, wouldn't working toward educating them be a more just and compassionate suggestion in a democracy?
I see someone not knowing the name of our VP as a sign of a failing educational and social system, and it's far better policy to address the cause of the problem, rather than "treat" the symptoms by preventing select citizens from voting in a democratic election.
21>Rather than barring people we deem "too stupid to vote" from the polling places, wouldn't working toward educating them be a more just and compassionate suggestion in a democracy?
Isn't that what each candidate is spending $100 million to do? A lot of people just don't care.
22javsmav, I've thought of that, but I'm not sure how it would work here in OK. I don't want to have to change my license b/c all of my scholarships, health care, etc are under my "home" address not my school one. Does my license address have to match my address on my voter ID card?
torgleson, thanks for the info... I'll look into that.
23Kiki, I never changed mine registration when I was in college, but technically, you are supposed to. You are counted at your college address during the census. I think it's odd, though, because most people keep bills and such at their permanent address. Anyway, just thought I'd throw my two cents in on the whole thing.
24>technically, you are supposed to
Correct. Technically when you sign your name, you're signing to say you actually live where you're registered.
25This might also vary by state, but when I was in college I registered to vote in the state I went to college in even though my permanent residence was another state. I think they understand that college students have 2 residences.
26in theory a test is a good idea but its indeed unconstitutional. the beauty of this country is that every tom, dick and moron gets to decide the fate of the free world.
27javsmav, I was thinking that too. I think what I am going to try to do is find out if I can use my tuition bill can work as my "proof of residence" instead of my license b/c my bill comes to this apartment. I need to keep my license as my proof of residence at my parents' home.
28I really hope it works b/c I am super excited to vote in this election ... it's my first Presidential election and I want that "I voted" sticker ... corny I know
eh I mangled that first sentence. lol I am going to see if I can use my tuition bill as my "proof of residence".
29Isn't that what each candidate is spending $100 million to do? A lot of people just don't care.
They're working to get themselves elected - not to educate the U.S. on how democracy works. That's the job of society, of the education system, etc.
30My fiance and I frequently joke that there should be an IQ test for people to be allowed to vote. Obviously that's not a pratical or fair idea, but we get so frustrated at the thought of all those people getting manipulated by McCain's slander and outright lies!!!
31We all did have to pass a test. If you made it through high school you had to pass a citizenship test. If you became a citizen later you had to take a citizenship test. That covers most people. And I doubt some guy who can't name the VP is really running out to the polls.
32Kiki don't be embarrassed about wanting your "I voted" sticker. I've been voting for over 10 years and I get my sticker and wear it every time I vote
33Coral, is that for all states? I do not remember taking a citizenship test. And if it was required, does that mean I wasn't a full citizen until I passed that test?
34Suzy, I get frustrated by the people manipulated by Obama and his camp's lies as well; it goes both ways, it just bothers you more when it's against your candidate.
35One, I don't remember taking a citizenship test, and I don't think that happens in our country. Maybe you had some kind of civics or government class called Citizenship? Are people who drop out not citizens?
Two, I definitely get my sticker every time. I vote in the morning so I can wear it all day.
36I don't think they compare the address on your license to the one you register with. They're just checking that you're the right person at the polling place, not that you live where you say.
37I think a test is out of line and unconstitutional, but I think showing ID is A-OK! And when I was in school I went ahead and registered to vote with my college address. Never had any problems! Good luck.
38"They're just checking that you're the right person at the polling place, not that you live where you say."
It might vary by state, but I do think where you live is of big importance. Because where you live has consequences on local elections and the number of delegates that will be awarded is dependant on location as well.
39The problem is, I think if we had a test, about 50% of the country wouldn't pass. Really. Been to other, less, um, intelligent sites lately? read some of the comments over at shine.yahoo.com. You'll lose all faith in people. Especially the ones tHaT tYpE lIkE tHiS.
40It is important for those reasons, but the volunteers aren't checking to make sure the address on your license matches your registration. That's why you sign, you're signing to say you still live there.
They might check if you bring a piece of mail as for of id.
41ok so I called my local election board and here is what they said: (this applies for Oklahoma)
I can register in the county where I go to school even though my license says I live an hour away (my first registration is void after that). They told me that when I register I put the address where I get my mail and I sign an oath that I have given correct information. If I do need to have proof of residence (which they said I didn't) I can use my tuition bill since I have a copy that is delivered to my school address. The lady I talked to said they shouldn't ask me for ID... as I am signing an oath.
So I am going today to change my registration to this county so that I can vote in Nov and get my sticker!!!
I missed the 04 election by 5 months
torg and bluesarah, I am voting early too so that I can wear that sticker all day! It may be naive of me but I love the feeling of being patriotic and doing my part!
I never took a "citizenship test" either.
42"It may be naive of me but I love the feeling of being patriotic and doing my part"
I am so happy for you that you are so excited to vote! I feel the same way.
43I like the way WI votes. You get a 11x17 sheet of paper with unfinished black arrows pointing to the candidates. To pick your candidate, you complete the arrow by coloring in the unfinished part. Very simple, very easy.
44UnDave, That's how it is in OK.
45Maybe I'm just remembering my childhood, but I LOVE to color. I often voted for legislation two or three times so I could color...
46haha yeah it is rather fun
and I still color. Last Christmas when I was at my
parents I colored each of them a picture and they hung them on the refrigerator 
I
felt very special 
lol
47It's the main reason I don't do absentee. I like to wear my sticker
48"I am so happy for you that you are so excited to vote! I feel the same way."
Thank you Jillness. I have always had a strong sense of patriotism and I can't wait to exercise my right as an American Citizen to vote and help decide our future!
49yay! I just turned diamond
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