# Voter id rules suffer string of court losses **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 3, 2016, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646 "2016-08-03T16:18:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/21 "2016-09-01T14:55:55Z")
Which is why I hate omnibus threads. They swallow everything, and unless you play along regularly, they’re inaccessible. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/22 "2016-09-01T18:47:20Z")
Bricker usually starts threads like this when his side wins and voters are suppressed ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/23 "2016-09-01T22:38:01Z")
In the case of Federal elections, can not the Federal government set voter ID rules? ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/24 "2016-09-01T23:09:24Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > In the case of Federal elections, can not the Federal government set voter ID rules? No, because in the US “Federal” elections (i.e., elections for members of Congress, Senators and members of the Electoral College) are run by the states. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/25 "2016-09-01T23:21:07Z")
It took a Constitutional Amendment to change the age of all Presidential voters to 18. The amendment didn’t apply to state elections, but the states didn’t want to try to deal with controlling the age at which Presidential, Congressional, and state electors could obtain a ballot, so they all just went with 18 at all elections. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/26 "2016-09-01T23:33:22Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > No, because in the US “Federal” elections (i.e., elections for members of Congress, Senators and members of the Electoral College) are run by the states. Congress actually has the power to regulate congressional elections however it sees fit. It’s just not required to, and for the most part doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2016, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/27 "2016-09-02T02:18:05Z")
> [@](#): > > Not a new thread, but the North Carolina decision is being discussed extensively (with significant contributions from Bricker) in the ongoing thread I Pit the ID-demanding GOP vote-suppressors starting at post #9694. I was going to link the starting post, but I actually suggest you just don’t read the Pit thread. There does not seem to be a post by **Bricker** explaining how it will affect the vote or even providing insight from a legal angle. He just repeatedly asserts that his legal opinion is right and argues about whether the laws are actually racist or disagreeing that disenfranchisement is always bad. I do not see any posts that actually discuss the topic of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2016, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/28 "2016-09-02T15:26:56Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Congress actually has the power to regulate congressional elections however it sees fit. It’s just not required to, and for the most part doesn’t. Well maybe. The actual text is > [@](#): > > The times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators. What does “manner of holding elections” mean? No one really knows. When Congress passed a law requiring election by districts there was some talk that it was unconstitutional (BTW it was implicitly presumed Constitutional in _Branch v. Smith_) but it is questionable if “manner” could be extended to requiring ID, using electronic voting, etc. in congressional elections. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2016, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/29 "2016-09-02T15:40:02Z")
Hiw could “manner” possibly not include the idea of electronic voting? If that’s not a manner of voting then what is? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2016, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/30 "2016-09-02T16:06:10Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Hiw could “manner” possibly not include the idea of electronic voting? If that’s not a manner of voting then what is? But is it a manner of holding an election? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2016, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/31 "2016-09-02T16:25:04Z")
Well it does appear to be “a way in which a thing is done”, so yes? I don’t know what I’m missing here. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2016, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/32 "2016-09-02T19:04:01Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Well it does appear to be “a way in which a thing is done”, so yes? I don’t know what I’m missing here. The mechanisms of voting is not the same as holding an election. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2016, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/33 "2016-09-02T20:10:39Z")
The reason why the Constitution prohibits Congress from regulating “the places of choosing Senators” is because when it was originally written, the state legislatures chose Senators, and the Constitution didn’t want Congress controlling where the state legislatures would meet. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2016, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/34 "2016-09-03T04:31:26Z")
> [@YogSothoth](#): > > Bricker usually starts threads like this when his side wins and voters are suppressed If you want to pick a fight with a poster who has not even posted to this thread, go open a thread in The BBQ Pit. Don’t drag your personal feuds into other discussions. And, while I am aware that the OP mentioned Bricker, by name, (which was not really a cool move), that mere mention is not an opportunity or an excuse to jump in with insults. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2016, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/35 "2016-09-03T04:35:40Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I was surprised there wasn’t a thread about this. I usually see Bricker start threads about these kinds of decisions You usually do, eh? So far as I can recall, in the seventeen years I have participated on this board I have started exactly one thread about a Voter ID decision, in 2012, concerning the Arizona case. Can you refresh my recollection on all the other ones you’ve seen? On any of the others you’ve seen? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2016, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/36 "2016-09-03T04:43:58Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > What does “manner of holding elections” mean? No one really knows. When Congress passed a law requiring election by districts there was some talk that it was unconstitutional (BTW it was implicitly presumed Constitutional in _Branch v. Smith_) but it is questionable if “manner” could be extended to requiring ID, using electronic voting, etc. in congressional elections. I don’t understand why it’s questionable. If Congress can’t do it, then neither can the states. If the states can enact ID laws that apply to congressional elections, then so can Congress, because the states’ powers to regulate Congressional elections come from the exact same place in the Constitution. ---
**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:** [September 3, 2016, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/37 "2016-09-03T04:55:55Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > You usually do, eh? > > So far as I can recall, in the seventeen years I have participated on this board I have started exactly one thread about a Voter ID decision, in 2012, concerning the Arizona case. > > Can you refresh my recollection on all the other ones you’ve seen? On any of the others you’ve seen? In fairness, the _perception_ that you have started a lot of threads is about as valid as the perception that voter fraud is a thing. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2016, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/38 "2016-09-03T14:10:36Z")
Not exactly ID related but the attempt to eliminate straight-ticket voting in Michigan has hit the judicial wall. > **[Straight-ticket voting likely after court loss](https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2016/09/01/straight-ticket-voting/89721110/)** > > Michigan would be forced to continue allowing straight-ticket voting under a U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/39 "2016-09-03T14:15:35Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > You usually do, eh? > > So far as I can recall, in the seventeen years I have participated on this board I have started exactly one thread about a Voter ID decision, in 2012, concerning the Arizona case. > > Can you refresh my recollection on all the other ones you’ve seen? On any of the others you’ve seen? I just meant about high profile court cases. I can’t be arsed to search so instead I hereby rescind my recollection. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2016, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646/40 "2016-09-03T14:33:03Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > In fairness, the _perception_ that you have started a lot of threads is about as valid as the perception that voter fraud is a thing. Well, sure, but Doper confidence is a valued neural juxtaposition! And even if in-person voter fraud is a chimera riding a unicorn, the _perception_ is real, and demands drastic and immediate action! The Dems should be willing to “take one for the team”, even if what they take is an arrow in the knee for the _other_ team! Stern duty demands sacrifice! Does anyone really doubt that the Republicans would do that, would make that sacrifice, when Brownish-Americans start voting Republican? OK, _you_ doubt it, that makes one! (I know **Bryan** _claims_ to be Canadian, but has anyone seen him apologize for it?) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-rules-suffer-string-of-court-losses/761646.md?page=3)