# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/41 "2012-06-12T21:50:41Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Once again we see how conservatives favor large, costly intrusive Big Government solutions to problems that don’t exist. The problem does exist. And the solution is part of everyday life, not a “Big Government” intrusion of any kind. It’s been going on longer than this, but the first instance of voter fraud that I became aware of was LBJ getting elected to the Senate in 1948 by a bunch of dead people that clawed their way up out of their graves to vote for him. Apparently, they were an orderly bunch of zombies, as they seem to have done so in alphabetical order, in the infamous “Box 13” scandal. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/42 "2012-06-12T21:51:23Z")
Is it me or is Post #5 actually very long and complicated? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/43 "2012-06-12T21:51:48Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > If there is no time or resources to get an ID, where does one find the time and resources to vote? You **do** know that polling places set up to operate only on the day of an election are far more numerous and accessible than DMV offices and other official identity-document providers, right? (I seem to be spending a lot of this thread asking “You **do** know…, right?”-type questions, but that’s because a surprisingly high proportion of posters seem to be saying surprisingly naive things.) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/44 "2012-06-12T21:53:33Z")
> [@August\_West](#): > > Okay, so maybe “the poor” (although you seem to posit fairly lazy poor people), but why “minorities”? > > I’ve been poor, and it isn’t an easy life, but finding an hour to take a bus across town to the DMV is hardly an “onerous burden” How do I posit “lazy” poor people? If you work full time for an hourly wage, popping across town and back on a bus during the hours the DMV is open is not just a matter of giving up a bit of time with your feet up. The problem with these people is that they’re _not_ lazy - in fact, they work very hard and can’t afford to take time off to go get the ID. > [@Farmer\_Jane](#): > > Other civilized nations do it. Hell, they have National ID cards. The UK doesn’t. In fact, a national ID card was one of Labour’s bright ideas under Blair and Brown, which was going to solve [del]benefit fraud[/del] [del]illegal immigration[/del] [del]terrorism[/del] [insert new problem of the week here] at a cost of millions to the taxpayer plus the direct costs to people to get them, for the privilege of having all their personal data on one poorly-secured central government database which may or may not be accessible to certain private companies near and dear to the government of the day. For some reason, this idea never really became popular with the voters. But I digress. Anyhoo, voter fraud in the UK is more a problem with absentee ballots than with in-person voting, so IDs wouldn’t solve that problem either. > [@Bricker](#): > > Except all the studies show that even when you spend $900,000 to subsidize fresh fruits and veggies, they don’t buy it anyway. > > So should we extend that analogy to voting? What - a government plan costing millions that doesn’t solve the problem it’s claiming to? Is that the analogy you want to extend? ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/45 "2012-06-12T21:53:58Z")
Can someone point to which state we’re looking at here, since the OP hasn’t bothered with cites? Because in FL, you can use a lot of different forms of ID. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/46 "2012-06-12T21:54:33Z")
It all goes back to ACORN. For a long time, nobody gave a shit about ACORN. Bunch of thread bare idealists in old cars and Goodwill suits, out registering new voters. And nobody cared. Then the races began to tighten, and the demographics began to slowly, slowly tilt away from the Republicans. Then, a few thousand here, a few thousand there, it began to add up. And that, children, was when Republicans discovered the massive, dreadful issue of Voter Fraud. And, after all, everybody knows America is a center right country, everybody knows that the real Americans favor Republicans, so they needed an explanation why they were starting to lose. So they murdered ACORN. With the connivance of many Democrats, most especially Blue Dead Dog conservative democrats, who were nearly as threatened as the Republicans. So, now this, now we need to protect the confidence of the electorate, now we need to purify our voter rolls. Now, its entirely possible that many of them actually believe this crapola. Because, as we have already noted, they know they are the real majority, so if they are losing, it can only be dark conspiracy and treachery. Its not a tactic for massive wins, that would give the game away. Its a tactic to trim the Democrat vote, just enough to squeek by. All these problems could be solved, if they wanted them solved. They don’t. They want to wrap themselves in a bright, shining lie. To win. Notice the extra efforts in Texas and Florida, to make voter registration by civic-minded third parties more difficult, and potentially criminal. What, the League of Women voters are conspirators now? They do not want new voters, and they would like to trim away the unreliable segment of the voters we already have. The voting supervisors of Florida have already risen up and told the Governor to shove it. They won’t cooperate with his voter purging effort. It was unanimous. And many of those supervisors were Republicans! I seldom get an opportunity to praise Republicans, I will take this opportunity to do so, the Goddess alone knows when I will get another. Good for you! ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/47 "2012-06-12T21:55:08Z")
[ > [@Bricker](#): > > there was no fraud, yell the Democrats! You can’t prove the dog voted! > > And limiting his registration would disenfranchise all the lawfully voting dogs! We’re only looking to restrict the rights of chihuahuas. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/48 "2012-06-12T21:55:36Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > [Is it?](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57450812/justice-dept-sues-florida-over-voter-purge/) Yes, genius. Voter ID requirements are legal. Thanks for linking to a page about voter registration purges to question whether Voter ID laws are legal. Perhaps we can discuss capital gains tax next and you can chime in with a page about crochet. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/49 "2012-06-12T21:56:31Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > there was no fraud, yell the Democrats! You can’t prove the dog voted! > > And limiting his registration would disenfranchise all the lawfully voting dogs! When did you start channeling **Shodan**? Anyhow, the dog was licensed and it still didn’t stop the fraud. ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/50 "2012-06-12T21:57:15Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > You **do** know that polling places set up to operate only on the day of an election are far more numerous and accessible than DMV offices and other official identity-document providers, right? Sure, but, you do know, at least where I live, you have to go to a specific polling place. You can’t just show up anywhere and vote. You have to vote at a specific polling place in your district where you are registered. That’s one poling place. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/51 "2012-06-12T22:00:26Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > Sure, but, you do know, at least where I live, you have to go to a specific polling place. You can’t just show up anywhere and vote. You have to vote at a specific polling place in your district where you are registered. That’s one poling place. Yes, but the point is that the specific polling place you’re assigned to is in a location that’s **geographically quite close to your residence**. **That** is why it’s easier for many people to get to the polls on Election Day than to get to the DMV for an identity card beforehand. Frankly, I’m quite surprised that anybody needs this spelled out for them. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/52 "2012-06-12T22:00:43Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > When did you start channeling **Shodan**? > > Anyhow, the dog was licensed and it still didn’t stop the fraud. My point is very simple: with no ID requirement, anyone can show up, give the dog’s name, and vote. With. Photo ID requirement, the task is more complicated, and gives an excellent chance of being able to successfully convict the person that tried. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/53 "2012-06-12T22:01:20Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > I am not convinced that it’s that difficult to get an ID, should one be inclined to vote. Yeah, and once we have an ID system in place, it will be easier for GOP partisans with multiple ID’s to stuff ballot boxes unchallenged. “Do you even live in this district?” “I have an ID!” “All right then.” Too many politically-minded types forget their Sun Wu. Politics is a kind of war; the objective is to win; and following arbitrary “rules” is a way to lose. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/54 "2012-06-12T22:02:35Z")
One polling place per neighbourhood, open from morning into the evening, versus one DMV office per city (or indeed county), open 9-5. Hmmm. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/55 "2012-06-12T22:07:36Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > One polling place per neighbourhood, open from morning into the evening, versus one DMV office per city (or indeed county), open 9-5. Hmmm. Open 9-5, Monday through Friday, with maybe some weekend hours as well, the whole goddam year, vs one polling place open on Election Day. “Hmmmmm.” ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/56 "2012-06-12T22:07:48Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > My point is very simple: with no ID requirement, anyone can show up, give the dog’s name, and vote. With. Photo ID requirement, the task is more complicated, and gives an excellent chance of being able to successfully convict the person that tried. And my counterpoint is simple as well. Sure, do it. But take your time, do it sincerely, do it with a mind to solving problems for voters rather than creating them. All of these things could be done, and done right. And I would have no problem with that, none whatsoever. Might as well do an outreach program, while we’re at it. Enlist civic groups to reach out to the undocumented citizens, bring them into the fold, bring them into the civic arena! Heck, not only would they not hinder any voters, they would probably bring oodles of newly registered voters to the polls. Gosh, good news, huh? Huh? Got this sneaking feeling that Republicans would not like that idea all that much. ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/57 "2012-06-12T22:08:05Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Yes, but the point is that the specific polling place you’re assigned to is in a location that’s **geographically quite close to your residence**. > **That** is why it’s easier for many people to get to the polls on Election Day than to get to the DMV for an identity card beforehand. Frankly, I’m quite surprised that anybody needs this spelled out for them. On election day, it may be close to my residence, but where i work is much farther. If I am working three jobs, there’s a pretty good chance that the job that I have to take time out of to go and vote is much farther away from my polling place than my residence. We sort districts by residence not where we will be on election day. I can definitely say that for myself, it’s much farther from my job (where I am on election day) to the polling place than my home to the polling place. Frankly, I am surprised you couldn’t sort this out yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/58 "2012-06-12T22:13:09Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > We sort districts by residence not where we will be on election day. You don’t sleep at your home? Ah, so you will be at your home on election day. What’s the problem, then? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/59 "2012-06-12T22:13:59Z")
I’ve always had to show some sort of ID. Usually, it was the voter registration card, which was then checked against the register. I then had to sign the register. This was in Alaska, but are there really places where you can just walk in off the street and not be checked for registration against some sort of ID? ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/60 "2012-06-12T22:15:05Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > You don’t sleep at your home? > > Ah, so you will be at your home on election day. > > What’s the problem, then? If I am working three jobs, there is a pretty good chance i will be at work during polling hours, not sleeping or probably even home. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943.md?page=4)