# Voting by Mail in 2020: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 30, 2020, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897 "2020-04-30T14:35:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/261 "2020-10-06T17:34:45Z")
That cite in no way backs up your false assertion that _"You do realize also in places like San Francisco (maybe even all of California I’m not sure) they allow illegal immigrants to vote. "_ In CA, almost everyone votes by mail. In CA, you have to be registered to vote, and you have to swear you are a citizen. Indeed, a undocumented alien _could_ vote. He could also rob a bank. Why on earth would a undocumented alien risk prison and extradition to _vote_? undocumented aliens tend to avoid doing things that gets them the attention of Law Enforcement and federal officials. Especially as in CA, the presidential vote is for-ordained. It is deep, dark blue. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/262 "2020-10-06T17:38:03Z")
So were slaves in the South. So? They use up resources. They bring in taxes. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/263 "2020-10-06T19:53:25Z")
> [@urbanredneck2](#): > > How many illegals have done this? I dont know. They are only now starting to research that Republicans have been pushing Voter ID laws for 20 years, and they’re only NOW starting to research it? Here’s the deal with finding voter fraud. There is a different level of scrutiny when you’re trying to figure out if a crime happened, than if you’re trying to prove a particular person did it. Let’s say you’re researching stolen bicycles. It’s trivially easy to get data on whether or not bicycles have been stolen, it is much harder to say that John Doe stole Bicycle X on Day Y. So too with in person voter fraud. It is trivially easy to determine if someone voted as John Doe when they were not really John Doe. Step 1 - Ask John Doe if he voted. Wait, that’s it. There is no Step 2. Congratulations, you’ve successfully determined if someone pretended to be John Doe when they walked into the polling location and signed on John Doe’s space in the book. The fact that you don’t know how many people have done this is a joke. ---
**Author:** ![urbanredneck2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/5f8ce5/32.png) [@urbanredneck2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urbanredneck2)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/264 "2020-10-06T21:24:30Z")
Your missing the point. They dont have to say they are “John Doe”. An illegal can register under there own name in California. Yes, I get it that technically, it’s against the law. Yes, they have to swear they are a legal citizen but cant people lie? And yes, technically, a poll worker MIGHT ask to see an ID. Which they should have since California gives illegals drivers licenses and other ID cards. However you guys keep pointing out that asking for ID is discrimination right so I doubt a democrat poll worker would do it. You dont actually think if they were caught that a California DA would actually prosecute them do you? So what do they have to lose? And why vote? Maybe a local California candidate has promised they would not deport illegals? They would give illegals amnesty. As I said above the New Way Forward act promises not to deport illegals even if they commit crimes. If I was an illegal I know I would vote for that. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/265 "2020-10-06T21:48:31Z")
In person voting started today in Ohio. I went there around noon and it was packed! No, I didn’t vote for Trump. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/266 "2020-10-06T21:50:50Z")
I’ll be there on Monday. Last time I voted early, in 2008, it was a 4 hour line. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/267 "2020-10-06T21:57:47Z")
I see online he has refused to allow any stimulus check til after the election. So glad I didn’t vote for him. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/268 "2020-10-06T22:06:13Z")
> [@urbanredneck2](#): > > You dont actually think if they were caught that a California DA would actually prosecute them do you? So what do they have to lose? You do know that it’s a [Federal crime](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1015) to false claim to be a US citizen to vote? So it doesn’t matter if a California D.A. doesn’t prosecute; William Barr’s Justice Department can do so. ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/269 "2020-10-06T22:37:48Z")
> [@urbanredneck2](#): > > Your missing the point. They dont have to say they are “John Doe”. An illegal can register under there own name in California. Yes, I get it that technically, it’s against the law. Yes, they have to swear they are a legal citizen but cant people lie? And yes, technically, a poll worker MIGHT ask to see an ID. Which they should have since California gives illegals drivers licenses and other ID cards. However you guys keep pointing out that asking for ID is discrimination right so I doubt a democrat poll worker would do it. So by your logic, the voter ID law doesn’t actually matter, since illegal immigrants would be able to get the ID anyway. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/270 "2020-10-06T23:11:55Z")
You dont need ID. You register (when you do show ID and residence). Then they send you a ballot. if you choose to vote in person, you come in, show the poll worker your Ballot, he checks off the address, you thien sign and your signature is compared. Much more secure that showing a ID, something you can buy for $50 on the black market. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/271 "2020-10-06T23:16:20Z")
Yes, some cities allow them to vote in local elections ONLY. That is perfectly legal. In some Northern States they allowed free blacks and women to vote in local elections before the Civil war, etc. Perfectly legal. You cant 'just vote". You have to have registered, and bring in a copy of the ballot they mailed you. (If you forget it, then they do ask for ID, to check off your address). They compare vs their list, and then you sign- they compare that vs your signature on file. Then they check you off as having voted. Even if you have a fake ID, it doesnt help, as you cant vote unless you are registered. [Fact check: Non-citizens cannot vote in California elections](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/06/11/fact-check-non-citizens-cannot-vote-california-elections/5285081002/)_Fact check: California does not allow noncitizens to vote in elections_ So no “California allows illegals to vote” is false. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/272 "2020-10-06T23:22:43Z")
Any city of any state may allow illegals or even those under 18 to vote. > **[Did California Pass a Law Allowing Undocumented Immigrants to Vote in Federal...](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/california-motor-voter-act/)** > > While California did pass a law to increase voter turnout, the state has not made it legal for undocumented people to vote. _## California did pass a law intended to increase voter turnout, but the state has not made it legal for undocumented residents to vote._ > **[False Claim of California Registering Noncitizens to Vote - FactCheck.org](https://www.factcheck.org/2018/09/false-claim-of-california-registering-noncitizens-to-vote/)** > > Q: Is California registering noncitizens to vote? A: No. A state motor-voter program and a San Francisco school board measure have fueled that false claim. FULL ANSWER A text-based photo on Facebook asks whether “all votes from California... **Q: Is California registering noncitizens to vote?** **A: No. A state motor-voter program and a San Francisco school board measure have fueled that false claim.** _##### FULL ANSWER_ _…_ _But that text — the same that appeared in a July [tweet](https://twitter.com/RyanAFournier/status/1022339399940550657) by the chairman of a national group called [Students for Trump](https://www.studentsfortrump.net/)— is rooted in false and misleading information. California is not registering noncitizens to vote, save for one city allowing certain illegal immigrants to vote only in school board elections._ ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/273 "2020-10-06T23:24:33Z")
> [@urbanredneck2](#): > > Your missing the point. No, I’m not. I get that it is theoretically very easy for someone to commit voter fraud. What you’re missing is that it is equally easy to detect fraud, and the “voter fraud is everywhere “ side can’t manage to do it. Why? Why does your side always have to talk about how easy it is to do it, rather than tell us how widespread it actually is? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/274 "2020-10-07T04:07:21Z")
So urbanredneck2 you seem alarmed at the fact that illegals can vote in a small school board election in SF. OK, before the passages of the 15th and 19th amendments, several new England states and northern cities gave women and free blacks the right to vote in local elections. Was that wrong? ---
**Author:** ![urbanredneck2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/5f8ce5/32.png) [@urbanredneck2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urbanredneck2)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/275 "2020-10-07T09:34:01Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > [@urbanredneck2](#): > > > > You dont actually think if they were caught that a California DA would actually prosecute them do you? So what do they have to lose? > > You do know that it’s a [Federal crime](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1015) to false claim to be a US citizen to vote? So it doesn’t matter if a California D.A. doesn’t prosecute; William Barr’s Justice Department can do so. Would Joe Bidens? Answer: No. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/276 "2020-10-07T15:35:43Z")
> [@urbanredneck2](#): > > Would Joe Bidens? > > Answer: No. I don’t know why you say that. I’m to the left of Joe Biden. If I were POTUS or AG, I would have no problem prosecuting people for voting fraud. I support prosecution of such people now. I acknowledge, however, it’s exceedingly rare. (But I might make an exception for a spouse who voted their dead spouse’s ballot if said spouse died right before the election. I’m a softy sometimes) ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/277 "2020-10-07T21:48:16Z")
> [@urbanredneck2](#): > > Would Joe Bidens? > > Answer: No. So what you’re saying is, that the argument you and the president and all those republicansw are making about **this** election being at risk of rampant voter fraud is a complete load of festering bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/278 "2020-10-08T02:50:09Z")
urbanredneck2 again-_OK, before the passages of the 15th and 19th amendments, several new England states and northern cities gave women and free blacks the right to vote in local elections. Was that wrong?_ ---
**Author:** ![urbanredneck2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/5f8ce5/32.png) [@urbanredneck2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urbanredneck2)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/279 "2020-10-08T20:46:14Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > > [@urbanredneck2](#): > > > > Would Joe Bidens? > > > > Answer: No. > > I don’t know why you say that. I’m to the left of Joe Biden. If I were POTUS or AG, I would have no problem prosecuting people for voting fraud. I support prosecution of such people now. I acknowledge, however, it’s exceedingly rare. (But I might make an exception for a spouse who voted their dead spouse’s ballot if said spouse died right before the election. I’m a softy sometimes) But arent you all already saying that asking for ID at voter registration is discrimination? Isnt all this part of the democrats push to end what you call voter discrimination? How many democrats are pushing for allowing illegals to vote in ALL elections? In San Francisco illegals can basically get away with anything and not be deported. [Remember the case back in 2016 where an illegal, who had already been deported but allowed to return, killed a woman and they let him go?](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-crime-immigrant-idUSKBN1DV3CR). That was done by a California state appeals court so no, illegals in their sanctuary cities have NO FEAR of deportation. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897/280 "2020-10-08T20:49:24Z")
> [@urbanredneck2](#): > > _But arent you all already saying that asking for ID at voter registration is discrimination?_ Not exactly. It’s voter suppression though. Nonetheless, if someone voted illegally and used a fake ID in violation of state or federal law, they should be prosecuted. - > _Isnt all this part of the democrats push to end what you call voter discrimination?_ no. > How many democrats are pushing for allowing illegals to vote in ALL elections? Very few. None that I can name. Can you name one? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-in-2020-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/852897.md?page=15)