But it says “identification.” It doesn’t say “names.”
ANd that’s key, because Florida law says they must compare driver’s license NUMBERS, Florida ID card NUMBERS, or the last four NUMBERS of the voter’s Social Security NUMBER.
So no one is talking about exact matches of names in Florida. They’re talking about exact matches of NUMBERS.
Yes. Answered. The fact that you’re a two-middle-name-freak (which I mean in the nicest possible way) is irrelevant, unless that someone caused the numbers on your driver’s license or social security card to morph.
What are you talking about??? You and I both know that they’re not just checking the number you put down, they’re making sure the number you put down matches the number in the database entry for the name you put down.
Explain to all of us exactly how you can “compare” the last 4 digits of a social security number for accuracy, if there isn’t a name comparison as well.
There is a name comparison. But there’s no requirement for the name to exactly match. Indeed, the procedures manual directs staff to search the system by the number provided by the applicant and according to the applicant’s name and any possible variants of the applicant’s name.
No, that’s not right. The voter registration record comes in, bearing a number (last four of SSN, or DL/ID number). The automated system classifies it as matching, possibly matching, or not matching.
The classified as possibly matched or unmatched are transmitted electronically to staff for individual review. Staff members doing the review have access to DHSMV’s database, known as the Driver and Vehicle Information Database (“DAVID”). Personnel are instructed to make every possible attempt—using DAVID and other
resources—to resolve a record that was possibly matched or unmatched. The procedures manual directs staff to search the DAVID system by the number provided by the applicant and according to the applicant’s name and any possible variants of the applicant’s name. In reviewing the registration records, staff have access to a scanned image of the original application, as submitted by the voter registrant.
If staff is able to verify a record returned to it by DHSMV, the applicant to whom the record relates becomes an active voter. The appropriate Supervisor is notified electronically through FVRS to process a voter information card. If BVRS is unable to verify a record returned to it by DHSMV, the record is sent to the appropriate Supervisor for local investigation and further action. The reason that the record is unverified may be because there was a typographical error in the data entry, or because the applicant made a mistake when filling out the voter registration application. For the information of the Supervisors, BVRS enters individualized comments into a comment field associated with each record it investigates and returns. In addition, BVRS maintains an e-mail account to assist Supervisors with any questions, including questions about specific applicants.
A BVRS staff member reviews inquiries from the Supervisors and either provides answers or, if unable to do so, forwards the inquiry to the proper person. BVRS also provides assistance to staff members by telephone.
But they never explain that “fail a HAVA match” means the numbers on their driver’s license don’t match the numbers they claimed for their driver’s license on their voter registration form. It sounds so arbitrary, with all the discussion about mismatch of names… but what’s being “exact matched” in Florida is ID numbers. Which SHOULD exactly match.
So it seems to me that opponents of this process are making, if not outright false claims, certainly deceptive claims. An ordinary reader of the piece leaves believing that there’s a danger of a slight mispelling of a name causing a problem. In reality, that’s just not so.
So why do the resort to the lies?
I suspect it’s because the public would have no problem with the truth.
Yes. But the voter never sees that process. If the name doesn’t match, as I explained above, the entries classified as possibly matched or unmatched are not denied; they’re transmitted electronically to staff for individual review. Staff members doing the review have access to DHSMV’s database, known as the Driver and Vehicle Information Database (“DAVID”). Personnel are instructed to make every possible attempt—using DAVID and other resources—to resolve a record that was possibly matched or unmatched. The procedures manual directs staff to search the DAVID system by the number provided by the applicant and according to the applicant’s name and any possible variants of the applicant’s name. In reviewing the registration records, staff have access to a scanned image of the original application, as submitted by the voter registrant.
The truth? You can handle the truth, and with perfect aplomb. The truth is that this is a drastic cure in search of a disease. The truth, as you’ve already admitted, is that this is a legalistic mechanism to legitimize a suppression of voters that Republcians cannot trust. The truth is that the Forces of Darkness have no scruples worthy of the name, that they will grasp for power by any means.
I know the truth, and it makes me angry. You know the truth as well, and it ought to at least make you ashamed.
The truth is apparently that my opponents in this discussion expect me to admit the truths about my side, even when they make my side look less than wholesome – which I have done – while they are free to mischaracterize the facts as long as it helps along the greater good.
The debate is not about facts, it is about principles. In the Pit thread linked in the OP you asserted that, absent actual illegal conduct, working to suppress the other side’s voter turnout is as legitimate a political tactic as working to maximize your own side’s. You have yet to make any reasonable argument for that preposterous position, in that thread or this.
I’m not familiar with the current procedures (or possible pitfalls) of the current act – most of the cites actually refer to previous elections, and we have a new system in place now. But ACLU thinks there are great opportunities for abuse. Unfortunately, they don’t elaborate on exactly how:
They are, with your willing assistance, subverting and corrupting the core principle of democracy: the vote. And in a droll turn of phrase, you characterize this as “less than wholesome”. Actually, you say “look less than wholesome”, as if this were merely an appearance of political rotteness, rather than its pure essence.
Tell me, counselor, would you characterize feeding puppies into a blender as “not very nice”? I don’t begrudge you your intellectual gifts, I begrudge the purposes to which you prostitute them. I thought better of you than this, I will adjust accordingly, albeit reluctantly.