# 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:** 414
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8261 "2015-10-05T20:28:05Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > I’m sure you have no problem with literacy tests either. Not racist at all, and not in any way exclusionary. Right? > > Or is it only you who gets to parody other people’s views in debate here? My comment wasn’t a parody. The only people that get automatically registered are those with drivers’ licenses. According to the impassioned debate in this very thread, the population of people that have drivers’ licenses excludes minorities. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8262 "2015-10-05T20:39:59Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > My comment wasn’t a parody. The only people that get automatically registered are those with drivers’ licenses. According to the impassioned debate in this very thread, the population of people that have drivers’ licenses excludes minorities. This just seems to be arguing for the sake of arguing. Clearly, I know you can see the difference between: 1. Getting registered to vote while getting a license 2. NEEDING a license in order to register to vote ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8263 "2015-10-05T20:41:35Z")
OK, so there are a few disconnected data points. Like the utter insignificance of voter fraud. Tightening acceptance standards for ID’s to exclude student ID’s. Cutting back on early voting and specifically targeting the “Sunday voting” custom among black votes. Making it more difficult to register voters (Take that! League of Women Voters!). And now, curtailing the availability of offices to register voters, which by sheer coincidence falls most heavily on the poor and/or black. And, of course, expert testimony that “some” Republicans have malign motives in all of this. As I’ve noted, clarification has been requested but we are left with a word that can mean two, fifty, five hundred, ten thousand or more. All of which are “some”. “Some” people see a pattern here. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8264 "2015-10-05T21:01:47Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I do not oppose the Oregon law at all. > > I’m a little surprised at the love for this initiative being shown here Can you quote examples of this love? Before I offer up some possible opinions for debate, I kind of like to know if you’re squaring off against figments of your own imagination, because that would modify my approach significantly. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8265 "2015-10-05T21:02:55Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > My comment wasn’t a parody. The only people that get automatically registered are those with drivers’ licenses. According to the impassioned debate in this very thread, the population of people that have drivers’ licenses excludes minorities. Well, golly, how might that be? Hmmm. OK., maybe if minority people tended to have less money? Been some studies on that, pretty sure. And wouldn’t it follow that people who have less money tend to have less stuff? Like, say, cars. Just for instance. I’m gonna take a wild stab at it, say that people who don’t own cars are less motivated to obtain a driver’s license. Yeah, I’m a wild man. Impassioned, in that I give a shit. So, no, that doesn’t “exclude”. That merely “impedes”. Just like voter id laws are not “disenfranchising”, because they do not forbid voting, they merely make it more difficult and time consuming. For “some” people. It was never about delivering a crushing blow to the Dem leaning electorate. It was about trimming away just enough to gain a couple of percentage points. Fifty percent plus one. However, a wrong committed with modest goals and objectives is still wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8266 "2015-10-05T21:46:31Z")
Heck, I’ll cheerfully stipulate that even if it had no effect or possibly even a negative effect because potential Democratic voters responded in larger numbers out of spite, it was still a wrong thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8267 "2015-10-05T22:45:51Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Seems like the vote in the Oregon House of Representatives was completely party based. All republicans (except for one who didn’t vote) voted against this bill. And all republicans (and one democrat) voted against this bill in the Oregon Senate. I was just curious what the stated reasons were for voting against this bill because it just seems like the only reason to vote against this is because it enables more people to vote, or, at least, get registered to vote. I’m very curious to hear Bricker’s explanation for this. ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8268 "2015-10-05T23:02:24Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > I’m very curious to hear Bricker’s explanation for this. That you say that in _this_ thread after more than three years of repetitive argument is some sort of testament to your objectivity. Or patience. Or very flat learning curve. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8269 "2015-10-05T23:27:20Z")
> [@xenophon41](#): > > That you say that in _this_ thread after more than three years of repetitive argument is some sort of testament to your objectivity. Or patience. Or very flat learning curve. Well, given that Bricker claims he supports the Oregon law, and therefore disagrees with the position taken by every single Republican lawmaker, this is actually new and untrod ground. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8270 "2015-10-05T23:29:26Z")
> [@xenophon41](#): > > That you say that in _this_ thread after more than three years of repetitive argument is some sort of testament to your objectivity. Or patience. Or very flat learning curve. Maybe he’s holding out hope for the salvation of Bricker’s soul. Anyhoo, I’m not sure if Bricker was counting me as one of those who “love” the Oregon bill, but I have to say I’m rather underwhelmed by it. It’s downright tepid compared to the Canadian registration experience, which is overseen by a Federal agency set up specifically to that end who works in conjunction with its provincial counterparts and culls voter registration information from multiple sources to constantly update the lists. Just a few days ago, I got a notice with my name on it of when and where to vote in our upcoming Federal election. If I did not receive such a notice, the onus would be on me to find out why, and I don’t anticipate political efforts to roadblock me on this. My Federal tax return has a box that says: > [@](#): > > **Elections Canada** (see the Elections Canada page in the tax guide for details or visit www.elections.ca) > > A) Are you a Canadian citizen? Yes () No () > Answer the following question **only if you are a Canadian citizen.** > B) As a Canadian citizen, do you authorize the Canada Revenue Agency to give your name, address, date of birth, and citizenship to Elections Canada to update the National Register of Electors? Yes () No () > > Your authorization is valid until you file your next return. Your information will only be used for purposes permitted under the Canada Elections Act, which include sharing the information with provincial/territorial election agencies, members of Parliament, and registered political parties, as well as candidates at election time. I casually agree to this every year, though I understand Elections Canada could also get my info from the provincial agencies that give out driver licenses, health insurance cards, etc. You’d probably have to make a conscious effort to live off the grid (or at least off governmental radar) to\* avoid \*getting registered automatically. It helps if you’re not all paranoid and shit. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8271 "2015-10-05T23:39:09Z")
Not when they’re out to get you! Don’t help at all, then! ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8272 "2015-10-05T23:39:37Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > Well, given that Bricker claims he supports the Oregon law, and therefore disagrees with the position taken by every single Republican lawmaker, this is actually new and untrod ground. OK. I will bate my breath (figuratively) and wait to be surprised, while Bricker does a back-of-the-napkin calculation of the isolated administrative costs to the state resulting from the law (but not the projected net change in such costs), about which the Oregon GOP will have been concerned enough to vote NAY. Or, I may be surprised by Bricker’s unequivocal condemnation of the rank partisanship within the Oregon HoR, followed by a denial of any harm in voter id laws and a restart of the same wash, rinse, repeat procedure we’ve been locked into for the last 40 months. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8273 "2015-10-05T23:45:12Z")
> [@tumbleddown](#): > > In case what’s happening in Alabama isn’t crystal clear on its face, every county in the state that has a majority Black population is losing its DMV office. Every single one. > > But it’s just budgetary. There’s nothing intentional about it, nosiree, not here! Very telling. But, [from what I’ve read,](http://www.forwardprogressives.com/alabama-proves-voter-id-laws-meant-disenfranchise-minority-voters/) all the offices were closed in counties where the AA majority was 75% or more, not just a simple majority. This is what people were predicting as the next GOP step. And it is evil. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8274 "2015-10-06T00:30:58Z")
> [@](#): > > …Republican state Sen. Kim Thatcher said in a statement this month that she was “very disappointed” that the bill passed. She said she voted against it because it “will expose Oregon citizens’ private information” and put victims of sexual assault and stalking at risk… > **[Under new Oregon law, all eligible voters are registered unless they opt out](https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-oregon-automatic-voter-registration-20150317-story.html)** > > Americans are required to register if they want to vote; as of this week, Oregonians will have to register not to. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8275 "2015-10-06T00:51:52Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > Very telling. But, [from what I’ve read,](http://www.forwardprogressives.com/alabama-proves-voter-id-laws-meant-disenfranchise-minority-voters/) all the offices were closed in counties where the AA majority was 75% or more, not just a simple majority. > > This is what people were predicting as the next GOP step. And it is evil. The so-called black belt of Alabama is 12 to 15 counties, depending on how defined. Very convenient for the GOP to close the ID source for all of them. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8276 "2015-10-06T01:12:06Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > [Under new Oregon law, all eligible voters are registered unless they opt out](http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-oregon-automatic-voter-registration-20150317-story.html) I could buy concerns about data security… well, in the sense that I recognize the validity of being concerned about data security. The solution is actually pretty straightforward - increase data security. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8277 "2015-10-06T01:48:30Z")
Well, sure, trust a Canadian to go for a Big Government socialistic fix! ---
**Author:** ![canned\_mayhem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@canned\_mayhem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/canned_mayhem)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8278 "2015-10-06T02:33:55Z")
So people who are too irresponsible to so much as acquire an ID are responsible enough to help elect people to run this country? Sounds like a brilliant idea… ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8279 "2015-10-06T02:38:05Z")
> [@canned\_mayhem](#): > > So people who are too irresponsible to so much as acquire an ID are responsible enough to help elect people to run this country?. All men are created equal. If you get to pick which Democrats are too dumb to vote, we get to pick which Republicans are too dumb to vote, and I don’t think you want to go there. ---
**Author:** ![canned\_mayhem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@canned\_mayhem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/canned_mayhem)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/8280 "2015-10-06T02:52:46Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > All men are created equal. If you get to pick which Democrats are too dumb to vote, we get to pick which Republicans are too dumb to vote, and I don’t think you want to go there. Well I’m not a Republican so you can “go there” all you’d like lol. I just find it hard to believe that people flip out when asked to provide proof of who they are to vote like it’s some big conspiracy to block them out of society. It’s a simple ID card. If you can’t get off your lazy ass and procure one of these measly things then maybe voting is above your pay grade… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943.md?page=413) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943.md?page=415)