Voter Fraud

Voter fraud is not a problem. Not really.

Via the Brennan Center for Justice:
...most reported incidents of voter fraud are actually traceable to other sources, such as clerical errors or bad data matching practices. The report reviewed elections that had been meticulously studied for voter fraud, and found incident rates between 0.0003 percent and 0.0025 percent.
If you like statistics, here are some more.

But let's take a look at who is complaining of voter fraud. Yes, they are worried about disenfranchisement. Because while they were once in the majority, they no longer have that. Rather than look at the changing face (and concerns) of the electorate, they cling to old ideals. Rather than recognize that the world is changing, they choose to believe that "the other" is committing fraud to get their candidates elected.

So, to deal with this "fraud", to get back the world they feel is disappearing, they are engaging in voter suppression.

Poll taxes and literacy tests have been outlawed. So how does one go about making sure those undesirables don't vote? Oh, they have their tricks. Gerrymandering is one of them. The other is covered by their protests of voter fraud.

But, you say, what's the problem with making someone show ID? That's no big deal.

I thought the same thing. (Ah, the joys of privilege.) But then it was explained to me, so let me explain it to you...

Voter ID laws disproportionately impact minority voters. Getting a state issued ID is easy, right? Well, 11% of US citizens do not have one. To get one, there are hoops to jump through. One must have a birth certificate (which may take time and money to obtain if one has no idea where one's is). Then there's the travel and time required. Sure, that seems like no big deal, but if you're poor and you can't take off work (because most of these things you need to get during normal business hours), when are you going to do this?

Those states that have voter ID laws in place also apply them discriminatorily. Like, Texas allowed concealed weapons permits but not student ID cards. 

Voter ID laws are a solution for a problem that does not exist. Why do we have them? Because they demonstrably suppress minority turnout. And so, various states have figured out a way to again keep minorities from voting.

And this is how we get representatives (and a president) that is not representative of the electorate. We have been bamboozled into thinking these measures are fair. They are not.

Today's A to Z Challenge post brought to you by the letter...

Comments

  1. I would have called this post "voter suppression", which is far more prevalent than voter fraud.

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    1. Yeah, but I started with voter fraud, going on the premise that that's what's making more headlines.

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  2. Voting in the UK seems so straightforward by comparison. You register to vote and providing you do it with enough time to spare before the election, you get your polling card. I didn't realise it was so complicated in America.

    Cait @ Click's Clan

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    1. We don't get polling cards. That's why the ID thing has been gaining in popularity. (In my state, all you do is show up and sign your name in the books.)

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  3. In Texas, you are supposed to have some form of photo id with you every time you are in public. Yes, it can be a rigmarole getting one, and that is why no one should wait until they suddenly want to vote to do so. Perspectives at Life & Faith in Caneyhead

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    1. Good point. The issue in Texas specifically is that polling places take some forms of photo ID and not others. One of the links specifically discusses the issues with Texas' laws and the voter suppression efforts there.

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  4. Good to bring up this issue. And as someone else mentioned above, voter suppression is the bigger issue. Voter fraud is a smokescreen. Find this film, The Best Democracy Money Can Buy Voter suppression will not go away without some action on the part of the public.

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    1. The post was always going to be about voter suppression, but as voter fraud seems to be the talking point, I used that as my jump off point.

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    2. So glad you initiated the dialogue. I have really enjoyed Talking It Out.

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