# I Pit the ID-demanding GOP vote-suppressors (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 12, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943 "2012-06-12T19:15:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 144
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2861 "2012-11-06T20:12:12Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > While standing in line to vote today, a gentleman behind me suddenly experienced a moment of confusion and disorientation and was unsure whether he had come to the right place to vote. He didn’t look like an obviously irresponsible person to me, or an extraordinarily stupid one. He just looked like someone who might have make a mistake. That mistake shouldn’t be the cause of his being unable to cast an effective ballot. I do not get this one. In California, under existing rules, you do not get to vote at just any polling place. You have one designated polling place, based on your home address. If you go to a different one, the poll workers will politely guide you to your correct polling place. Last night, I was unsure of where mine was, so I went online. We have a site where I can verify that I am registered and will direct me to the proper place. > **[LA County Voter Registration Status](https://www.lavote.gov/vrstatus)** ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2862 "2012-11-06T20:18:36Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > And this makes you somehow right? I hadn’t realized that believing one’s opinion to be correct was some new category of logical fallacy. No – what makes me right is my willingness to use and abide by the process we have all accepted as the authoritative method to make laws. I have one idea, you have another – how we decide which of our ideas becomes the law is not a new problem. It’s been solved. I accept that process. You don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2863 "2012-11-06T20:21:08Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > If you go to a different one, the poll workers will politely guide you to your correct polling place. The first reaction of the poll workers was “we can’t help you until you get to the front of the line and we see whether your name is in the book.” There was no indication that if his name wasn’t in the book, whether they would tell him where he should go. While the poll workers were discussing among themselves whether they were allowed to give him any other advice at all, the people standing in line around him helped him figure out the answer. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2864 "2012-11-06T20:27:57Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > The first reaction of the poll workers was “we can’t help you until you get to the front of the line and we see whether your name is in the book.” There was no indication that if his name wasn’t in the book, whether they would tell him where he should go. While the poll workers were discussing among themselves whether they were allowed to give him any other advice at all, the people standing in line around him helped him figure out the answer. Might I ask where you are located? The poll workers here in Valley O’ the Damned were very friendly. Also, the State of California mails voter registration cards and sample ballots that also have the polling place listed. (I had lost mine :() ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2865 "2012-11-06T20:34:35Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > Might I ask where you are located? The poll workers here in Valley O’ the Damned were very friendly. Virginia. And they weren’t unfriendly. Just not necessarily very helpful. > [@](#): > > Also, the State of California mails voter registration cards and sample ballots that also have the polling place listed. (I had lost mine :() Same here. This guy apparently had forgotten to bring his. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2866 "2012-11-06T20:42:10Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > There is “sparse evidence” of that happening. Heh. :p:rolleyes: Not only a lying hack, but no sense of irony either. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2867 "2012-11-06T20:48:00Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > There is “sparse evidence” of that happening. (R. 90, Op. & Order at 10 n.3, PageID #6233; see also SEIU Appellees’ Resp. Br. at 14.) Hey, kuck-for-brains, there’s “sparse evidence” of any in-person voter fraud happening, either, but that didn’t stop you from bleating on about how it’s all about _confidence_ in the system or some such vomit. By the way, your side is starting to admit the Party’s ID arguments are full of shit. [Former McCain Strategist: Voter Fraud Doesn’t Exist](http://www.businessinsider.com/steve-schmidt-voter-fraud-doesnt-exist-2012-11) ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2868 "2012-11-06T21:13:21Z")
He has such a rare gift. It’s a profound shame to see him waste it so. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2869 "2012-11-06T22:24:23Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > No comment. Well, that’s kind of a shame, really, I was looking forward to your legalistic sophistry and semantic gymnastics trying to turn this rat’s asshole into a diamond ring. But no? Not even self-righteous bleating about liberal hypocrisy? No reminder about how voter ID laws are very, very popular? Brave, brave, brave Sir **Bricker**. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2870 "2012-11-06T23:35:06Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Hey, kuck-for-brains, there’s “sparse evidence” of any in-person voter fraud happening, either, but that didn’t stop you from bleating on about how it’s all about _confidence_ in the system or some such vomit. > > By the way, your side is starting to admit the Party’s ID arguments are full of shit. > > [Former McCain Strategist: Voter Fraud Doesn’t Exist](http://www.businessinsider.com/steve-schmidt-voter-fraud-doesnt-exist-2012-11) And your side is starting to admit how much your side favors voter fraud. > **[Fox News Host Suggests Democrats Are For Voter Fraud](https://crooksandliars.com/david/fox-news-host-suggests-democrats-are-voter-f)** > > Fox News host Gretchen Carlson says she can't understand why Democrats would be against discriminatory voter ID laws unless they are "for voter fraud." > > Earlier this week, the Department of Justice blocked a law requiring Texas voters to show ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2871 "2012-11-06T23:37:20Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And your side is starting to admit how much your side favors voter fraud. > > [Fox News Host Suggests Democrats Are For Voter Fraud | Crooks and Liars](http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/fox-news-host-suggests-democrats-are-voter-f) Who in Democratic leadership admitted they are for voter fraud? ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2872 "2012-11-06T23:39:39Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > You know what this reminds me of? > > Some idiot group – Human Rights Watch, I think Snip. > [@Uzi](#): > > You shouldn’t be surprised when I say that their opinion won’t be missed much, either? > [@Uzi](#): > > But why invent reasons when stupid and lazy are the most likely culprit for the overwhelming vast majority? > [@Bricker](#): > > a voter who’s too fucking stupid to figure out where he’s supposed to go > [@Bricker](#): > > No – what makes me right is my willingness to use and abide by the process we have all accepted as the authoritative method to make laws. I have one idea, you have another – how we decide which of our ideas becomes the law is not a new problem. It’s been solved. I accept that process. You don’t. You know what this reminds me of? > [@Locke](#): > > Law is only the official recognition of fact. > [@Washington](#): > > Ours is a just cause; victory will be ours! > [@Washington](#): > > I consider it completely unimportant who in the party will vote, or how; but what is extraordinarily important is this—who will count the votes, and how. Washington surely wouldn’t miss the opinion of the illiterate. > [@Uzi](#): > > Or, you could implement an ID system (that most of the civilized world has, btw Cite? I found [this article](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/voter-id-proponents-point-to-laws-in-other-countries/2012/07/12/gJQAVlGCfW_blog.html), which found five countries with an ID requirement (India has “medium human development”, which I suppose you’d classify as uncivilised - you really do need to use operationalised terms) - none of which mandated photo ID, unlike the proposed law in Pennsylvania. Bricker, I don’t believe you answered my query before, so I’ll put it to you again: Is it a sound foreign policy for the US to support fascist coups in order to prevent Communist governments with popular support from ascending to power? ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2873 "2012-11-06T23:47:49Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And your side is starting to admit how much your side favors voter fraud. > > [Fox News Host Suggests Democrats Are For Voter Fraud | Crooks and Liars](http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/fox-news-host-suggests-democrats-are-voter-f) Wow. " A fox news whore suggests…" I can’t tell if you are trying to be funny or sinking to their depth. But, from your link… > [@](#): > > A study released last year by the Brennan Center for Justice determined that the new restrictions on who can vote – largely championed by Republican lawmakers – **could suppress the the votes of more than five million young, minority, low-income, and disabled voters, all groups who tend to vote for Democrats.** > > New photo ID restrictions in Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin **could disenfranchise up to 3.2 million voters, the report found**. Another 2.6 million voters could be suppressed by proof of citizenship laws, laws restricting voter registration drives, election day registration restrictions, reduced early voting and restrictions on when convicted felons may have their voting rights restored. Bolding mine. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2874 "2012-11-06T23:53:11Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Who in Democratic leadership admitted they are for voter fraud? > [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > Wow. " A fox news whore suggests… Shayna trots out a former McCain strategist; I trot out a former Clinton strategist. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2875 "2012-11-06T23:56:56Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > Is it a sound foreign policy for the US to support fascist coups in order to prevent Communist governments with popular support from ascending to power? Is it sound medical policy to cut off someone’s leg? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2876 "2012-11-07T00:14:31Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And your side is starting to admit how much your side favors voter fraud. > > [Fox News Host Suggests Democrats Are For Voter Fraud | Crooks and Liars](http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/fox-news-host-suggests-democrats-are-voter-f) That’s Gretchen Carlson saying so. You can’t even tell the truth about something that basic, can you? And you can’t even bother to read your own damn cites, or you’d have noticed this: > [@](#): > > The motivations of the Republicans introducing these restrictions haven’t exactly been a secret. > > Republican House Speaker in New Hampshire, Bill O’Brien, was caught on tape explaining why he wanted to disenfranchise young voters. > > “The kids [are] coming out of the school and basically doing what I did when I was a kid: voting as a liberal,” he told a tea party group last year. “You know, that’s what kids do. They don’t have life experience and they just vote their feelings.” ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2877 "2012-11-07T00:19:09Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Shayna trots out a former McCain strategist; I trot out a former Clinton strategist. I find it funny that you think Dick Morris speaks for Democrats, but fine, where does he say that Dems are for voter fraud? He says that Holder is using the issue to swing the Latino vote: > [@](#): > > “What he’s trying to do, of course politically, is to send a message to downscale voters, particularly to Latinos that the Republicans are against them and he’s for them,” Morris asserted. “The fact is that what Texas is doing is for free issuing this ID to people. Anyone who wants it can get it. And given that, for him to say that this inhibits participation in the franchise is ludicrous.” He’s wrong about the simplicity of getting IDs, but that’s another story. Are you lying Bricker, or did I miss something? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2878 "2012-11-07T00:20:26Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Is it sound medical policy to cut off someone’s leg? This is Bricker’s way of seeming deep. _Ooohhhh…_ ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2879 "2012-11-07T00:22:59Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And your side is starting to admit how much your side favors voter fraud. > > [Fox News Host Suggests Democrats Are For Voter Fraud | Crooks and Liars](http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/fox-news-host-suggests-democrats-are-voter-f) Okay, what the bloody fuck kind of messed up drugs are you on? I give you a Republican strategist who worked on the McCain campaign specifically stating that HIS party is full of shit on this issue. You give me FOX _alleging_ that Democrats “must be” “for” voter fraud? You really and truly have lost your goddamn mind, Rick. And as much as I loathe you, it’s actually rather sad to see. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2880 "2012-11-07T00:54:51Z")
I’m still reeling from the suggestion that once a vote is held on a policy that all questions about the wisdom of the policy, its motivations, its intent, and its implications and effects are forevermore settled. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943.md?page=143) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943.md?page=145)