New Voter ID Law Disenfranchises Our Poor, Elderly and Minority Citizens
One of my proudest moments was hearing my grandmother boast to everyone who would listen to her that she was voting for her granddaughter. Born in 1910, before women had the right to vote, let alone run for office, she knew that my accomplishment, even if only for a local office, was significant.
She and both my parents did not finish high school. Politicians, to them, were people you respected. To her, to be able to vote for me was evidence of just how far she and her family had come since her parents immigrated early in the 20th century.
She was fortunate because, even though she lived in a nursing home, she was able to vote. Louis P. Cirillo, our Town Clerk, went to the nursing home where she lived before each election and provided ballots for the residents there. They are all of a generation that takes its responsibility to vote very seriously. They fought hard for that right and they are proud to participate in our democracy.
If my grandmother were alive today, though, she would not be able to vote for me if I run in 2014. You see, she did not have a photo identification card. She didn’t have a driver’s license. She didn’t even have her birth certificate. Nor did she have the ability – or funds – to get those items.
On Wednesday, Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed a “voter ID” bill, requiring that anyone who wishes to vote must provide a photo ID. Essentially, he is disenfranchising our “greatest generation.” He is making it nearly impossible for our elders to execute their right as citizens of this country to vote for their leaders, coincidentally at the same time when their most cherished programs, Medicare and Social Security, are being attacked by some of those same leaders.
Gov. Chafee says that he “spoke with representatives of our state’s minority communities, and I found their concerns about voter fraud and their support for this bill particularly compelling.” Personally, I have a hard time applying any credibility to that statement. When the quality of our education system ranks so low, our unemployment rate is so high, and our debt is off the charts, I find it hard to believe that our “minority communities” are really concerned about voter fraud – especially since there is NOT ONE documented incident of voter fraud in the state.
So what does this mean? It’s too late for my grandmother, but this state has many elderly citizens, most no longer have drivers’ licenses, few can put their hands on their birth certificates. And, I’ll bet none of them could get themselves to a place to apply for that photo ID, even if they had the proper documentation to prove their citizenship.
And what about our young citizens? Last spring, there was a voter registration drive at Mt. Hope High School. How many of those young people were carrying their social security card or their birth certificate with them on that day? Some may have had a driver’s license, but at that age, many still do not.
Sorry – didn’t think ahead? You can’t register to vote! But at least we don’t have voter fraud! Requiring a photo ID card at the polls is an exclusionary act that restricts the right to vote. It strikes most directly at the poor, at the elderly and at minorities.
In addition to the issue of disenfranchising our citizens, there is the issue of cost! Rhode Island can barely pay for its policemen, firemen, teachers, and other critical services. If not for the stimulus, we would still be faced with poor roads, falling down bridges, and deteriorating dams. And yet we will have the money to provide free photo IDs for everyone who needs one?
We charge people for IDs now, but because they will be required at the voting booth, they will have to be provided for free! Who is really going to pay for them? You and me, of course! Which critical program will we cut so that we can provide free ID’s for those who need them?
I don’t know what to do about this now. Perhaps I should have been paying closer attention. I knew that this legislation was pending. I also knew that reasonable governors around our country were vetoing their state’s version of this bill. I truly believed that our governor was one of those reasonable governors. I didn’t think that he would be duped into believing that there is reason to be concerned about voter fraud. Clearly I was wrong.
As much as I miss my grandmother, I’m glad that she got to vote for me before this law was signed. It is an inexcusable abuse of power, essentially denying legal voters their constitutional right to have their vote count. Shame on you, Gov. Chafee. This new voter ID law is an unnecessary expense that disenfranchises the citizens who already have little voice in our democracy.
Joann Landskroener
9:22 am on Monday, July 11, 2011
Then what IS the answer to keeping our elections open to only our citizens???
Diana Campbell
5:27 pm on Monday, July 11, 2011
Given that most illegals are not interested in drawing attention to themselves -- some even afraid to leave their homes to go to the doctor until they are seriously ill -- I truly doubt that the issue of non-citizens showing up to the polls to vote is a real issue.
Giordano Bruno
9:41 am on Monday, July 11, 2011
I must disagree with your position. Where it may be an inconvenience for some people, everyone will still be allowed to vote, but those not abel to provide ID will be counted as "provisional" until their Identities can be verified. You have to provide an ID for so many things from opening a bank account to renting a movie (does anyone still rent movies?). Something as important as voting should require a photo ID to deter voter fraud. I am not a fan of many of the changes that we are confronted with, and not all are for the better (at least in my opinion) but I feel we will look back
on this and realize it was something that was right to do.
Diana Campbell
5:31 pm on Monday, July 11, 2011
Your point is well-reasoned, but I do not believe that there is a real issue here to be solved. The provisional ballot doesn't get counted until 10 days after the election, and often not counted unless there is a really close contest. Voters whose provisional ballots are tossed out are never notified and have no means of appeal. Sometimes the ballot can be tossed out simply because the person showed up at the wrong voting location. Additionally, when considering the added cost of having to produce the ballots, train the poll workers, count the ballots, etc. is, in my opinion, not worth it because there is no issue.
Diana Campbell
5:33 pm on Monday, July 11, 2011
The difference between having to show an ID to buy cigarettes and voting is that one is illegal to do if you are under-age and the other is an obligation of every citizen. Voting, in my mind, is something that everyone has the right to do and no one should throw barriers in your way.
John P. Saviano
11:19 am on Monday, July 11, 2011
Diana, Joann sums up the concern from most of our citizens. Elderly citizens had to produce some serious documentation to get Medicaid, Medicare & S.S. I cannot imagine why your grandmother would not have had a qualifying document! In any case, if a citizen did not have one of those documents for 2012, they still could do a provisional ballot where they can vote with the board of elections verifying their signature. For 2014, that person would have had 3 years to get one of the many acceptable documents! Let's get to the real problem this law addresses: People who are not qualified to vote in the first place. First coming to my mind are illegal immigrants or people who are trying to steal your ID or mine! Voting in our country is a privilege & a right EXCLUSIVE TO OUR AMERICAN CITIZENS! In larger R.I. cities & towns, the poll officials may not know the person standing before them! I was in charge of the Warren Town Hall poll on many occasions & I want to tell you that when no one on my staff knew the person , then a valid I.D. was presented by the person. What you have failed to acknowledge is that we have to protect OUR rights & laws for our citizens FIRST IN OUR COUNTRY, not illegals or certainly not identity thieves! Since our citizens have to produce something to validate their I.D. when applying for a program, why shouldn't all have to do the same?
Diana Campbell
5:40 pm on Monday, July 11, 2011
John, most elderly people do not have a photo ID. Yes, my grandmother may have had a birth certificate or a social security number, but she did not have a valid photo ID. It was a chore just to get her to the doctor's when she needed to go, nevermind to the city to get an ID. In 2006, she was 96 years old. She could barely walk to the bathroom next to her own room, let alone maneuver herself through the red-tape of city hall. The issue of illegals trying to vote is a non-issue. They have much more to be concerned about and want to keep as low a profile as possible. I just can't imagine the scenario you portray as real.
Jack Baillargeron
11:46 am on Monday, July 11, 2011
I guess the so called Minorities, Elderly, etc. Do not ever Fly, rent cars, cash checks etc.
Getting an State ID is very simple. Unless there are some elderly or minorities who have never been out of their house to get to a doctor, or buy food and Medicines, the premise of this story is crappola. My mother is 88, never driven a car in her life but has a Photo ID for over 60 years.
It is unamerican to not have the election system protected from fraud in everyway and this is a good one. I fail to understand why every State and the federal Politicians seem to be Democrats that oppose this type of ID. In this day and age it is the right thing to do. A minimum estimate of Illegals in this country is 15 million. That is a voting block I do not want to risk affecting my elections.
Marc Proulx
12:39 pm on Monday, July 11, 2011
The statement made by the writer that not one documented case of voter fraud exists in this state does not mean it isn't rampant accross the state. Zero checking is conducted to ensure the person voting should be voting. Some of these local and national races are so close that only a few votes are making the difference. Undocumented and illegal foreign nationals cost taxpayers over a 100 billion a year. I don't believe their fraudulent votes should cost us as well.
Diana Campbell
5:47 pm on Monday, July 11, 2011
In this country, you are innocent until proven guilty. If fraud exists, then let them prosecute. This is a non-issue. Across the country, they have investigated many allegations of voter fraud - none of them were criminal. There is already checking at the polls. I am always asked for my name and address. In a small town, there is almost always someone there who knows me or a relative of mine. For people new to the Town, they can present their voter registration card. When I moved back to Bristol, I was presented with one when I registered and advised to bring it along for the first few times that I voted. I still have it and I still bring it. This is a non-issue. A non-issue that is going to cost us real money -- money that we just don't have.
Chris12
7:34 am on Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Diana, It is sad that you underestimate the elderly, poor, and disabled. Most make their way each and everyday to banks, theaters, markets, senior centers, doctor visits, etc. Give them a little credit for getting out and making their way around. They are smart and resourceful. YOU have more of a problem with voter ID than they do.
Math Major
8:33 am on Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Re: A couple of things the writer has said in her replies:
1) Buying cigarettes is illegal if you are underage. So, we are showing IDs as a measure to prevent a crime.
Voter fraud is also a crime. Therefore by the writer's logic, we should also show an ID to prevent the crime.
As to it being a non issue - here is a crime (two actually since husband and wife) that showing an ID would have prevented:
http://newsblog.projo.com/2011/06/police-charge-smithfield-coupl.html
Since they moved 10 years prior, and had their mail forwarded to their new address, I'm sure thier ID's were updated.
Doug
8:01 am on Thursday, July 14, 2011
Math Major....don't try to show logic to these people....their numerous actions/inactions demonstrate that they are not interested in logic...only feelings and maintaining their voter base...whatever the cost.
marina peterson
2:47 pm on Friday, July 15, 2011
No Diana, I must respectfully disagree. EVERYONE does not have a right to vote. Citizens have a right to vote. Voting is a privilege and one that should be treasured. It should not be considered a "hassle" to have to prove your identity. If I was a minority I would be very insulted at all the comments that minorities don't have the funds or wherewithall to obtain their birth certificate. That's ridiculous! In the case of your grandmother, who had no birth certificate, maybe a family member could have helped her to obtain it.
No-one is disenfranchised by this law. They can use a provisional ballot which will be verified at a later date.
This law has long been overdue!
Robert E
2:31 pm on Saturday, July 30, 2011
And you don't think the cant get a fake ID go to any college campus and check out all the under age drinking.
Raymond F. Palmieri Sr.
5:30 pm on Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Does anyone remember these headlines about voter fraud in East Providence. Just try a search on Google to see what people will do to commit voter fraud. Here is one link. http://newsblog.projo.com/archives/2007/07/e_providence_ca.html
Ms. Campbell argument is full of holes and is only supported by her feelings.
DownTown
5:42 pm on Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Projo has written several stories in the past few years about organized ID fraud that revolves around illegal immigrants. One about a nationwide ID ring that was violently removing their local competition in Pawtucket. A market so large that there is competition.
Not only is voter id an absolute must but state id's must allow for a card to be swiped to access encrypted info to ensure that it is a valid id.
Just because someone writes an opinion piece on Patch does not make it anything other than opinion.
http://mcaf.ee/62a8c
DownTown
5:47 pm on Wednesday, July 20, 2011
One has to consider that Patch is owned by AOL and AOL News is now the Huffington Post which is the liberal equivalent of conservative Fox News.
Diana Campbell
1:23 pm on Thursday, July 21, 2011
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/392598/july-20-2011/voter-id-laws
Math Major
4:04 pm on Thursday, July 21, 2011
I'm unsure what a comedy routine has to do with this topic.
Also, a more important law to address is the one where we have become TOTALLY irrelevant in national elections by saying we will send our electoral college votes to the winner of the popular vote nationwide.
With the electoral college system, we have 4 votes out of 270 needed to win. Which is 1.5% of the vote. Granted, VERY small.
RI has 701,180 registered voters. There are 214,000,000 registered voters in the US. So, 1 more than 1/2 are needed to win (107,000,001). This means we're down to 0.0065%!
TOTALLY IRRELEVANT!
Our founding fathers set up the Electoral College for a reason.
Math Major
5:47 pm on Thursday, July 21, 2011
a couple of extra "0"s. Should be 0.65%.
Vicky White
12:43 pm on Tuesday, July 26, 2011
I support a Photo I.D for voting simply because our policies need to commensurate with the growth of our nation in proactively addressing her increasing unfortunate social and legal habits that require enforcement.
I understand where Diana is coming from- absolutely.
Some do view this GOP led policy as a mere ploy to make voting prohibitive for the greatest generation- who may be largely democrat (?). It has been a nationwide Republican strategy-or initiative- depends on here you stand in this debate. It is no secret the upcoming election year will be a palpable one, with many pre-emptive strikes taking place between now than then. The GOP is fully aware how ardent the Dems are in courting the elderly. They understand also, how important voting is to our elders.
Since the Department of Eldery Affairs no longer processes Photo ID's, the DMV is being very responsive to Photo ID's for the disabled and the elderly. Enter the building, you need not wait in line. Fill out the paperwork and you will have your Photo ID as quick as they can process it. There are no current accomodations in place for shut-ins and the homeward bound without resources- that is a fact.
Mrs. B
10:00 am on Saturday, July 30, 2011
Comedy Central, that's where all the liberals get their news facts.
Robert E
2:35 pm on Saturday, July 30, 2011
Fox news is where conservatives get their non-facts.
marina peterson
11:18 am on Saturday, July 30, 2011
Our Bristol East Bay Patriots is now a chapter of TRUETHEVOTE which is an initiative to educate and train citizens to work within our electoral system to restore honor and integrity to the electoral process. This will help as well. We have too many dead people still voting!
Sara Bagwell
7:28 am on Sunday, July 31, 2011
Patsfan,
Thank you for bringing that comment to our attention. It has been removed from the thread.
Diana Campbell
8:07 am on Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thanks, Sara.
Sara Bagwell
9:38 am on Sunday, July 31, 2011
Robert,
Please take a moment to review our Terms of Use on Patch at the following link, http://bristol-warren.patch.com/d/terms to learn more about why your comments have been removed.
Mrs. B
9:55 am on Sunday, July 31, 2011
Yes, thank you Sara and thank you Diana for bringing up an interesting discussion. I am hopeful that the board of elections will look into any problems the voter ID may cause.
Robert E
11:30 am on Sunday, July 31, 2011
"Patch will provide an unprecedented infrastructure for citizen engagement in time for the 2012 presidential election, with a focus on community and local solutions. And it will exemplify our belief that a left/right approach to news and politics is outdated. Patch pages harbor no ideological or political slant. Which is not to say that we expect them to have no political content. Bloggers will be free to post their views on a range of subjects – from politics to entertainment to local issues. These features will allow Patch readers to instantly put a finger on the pulse of their community."
Arianna Huffington
Robert E
12:04 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011
Arianna Huffington: If you've got something to say, say it on Patch.
marina peterson
1:00 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011
Listen folks, this RI voter Id law isn't nearly as restrictive as those passed in other states. And it doesn't take effect until 2014!! That leaves plenty of time for anyone to get the documentation they need to vote. And even after the voter id's are "required", people can still vote without them by provisional ballot. I can't help but feel that anyone who feels this law is unjust or not needed either is totally naive when it comes to how much voter fraud there is in RI, or... has another agenda!
marina peterson
1:08 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011
Yes, Robert, you do have free speech. We all agree to that. But it is nice once in a while to have an honest debate sprinkled with civility....oh well...
marina peterson
1:29 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011
Good comment Ray!
John P. Saviano
4:48 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011
Many liberals have assumed a different tact in the last few years. They attack the person who opposes their views PERSONALLY rather than debating the issue at hand (VOTER ID)., Your truthless scorn, "Robert E" fits like a glove in Mark Twain's statement "In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, BRAVE, HATED & SCORNED! When the Patriot's cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then, it costs nothing to be a PATRIOT!" Change is "in the air"
Diana Campbell
5:34 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011
Seriously, John. I think that there is enough of what you are accusing liberals of doing being done by all parties -- tea, coffee, liberal, conservative, and others -- that there is no monopoly on the practice by any one group. I resent that because I do not agree with someone that I am therefore labeled as not being patriotic. I believe that I am a patriot. When I chair an official meeting for the school or the Town, I always have everyone say the Pledge of Allegiance. I believe in democracy. I believe in free speech. I believe in everyone's right to an opinion. I love my country and will defend it however I can. I am also a liberal -- that does not make me less of a patriot than anyone else who loves this country.
John P. Saviano
7:04 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011
Diana, I don't know why you are offended by my remarks My remarks were directed towards Robert E who feels that Tea Party folks are radicals & belong to the ilks of the KKK! Tea Party folks are patriotic like you & I are but may have a different view. This forum is for debating issues, not attacking people!
Diana Campbell
8:15 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011
John, I wholeheartedly agree that there is no room for the personal attacks based on one's position on an issue. I was relieved to see that Sara deleted the comment. I just needed to vent because it seems this week, especially, there is a tone in the media that if you're not with us you're against us and since we're the patriots, you must not be a patriot. I know you were referring to someone else, but it just triggered a reaction in me to a tone that I feel coming from a lot of fronts.
Robert E
3:39 am on Tuesday, August 2, 2011
First I would like to say I never personaly attacked anyone the teaparty was brought up as supporting this and I expressed my opion of the tea party an opinion that is shared by the NAACP and the Jewish Anti Defamation League my comment was not directed at any one person but at the Teaparty as a whole. Second a double standard is in play here as Sara didn't see fit to delete the comments personaly attacting me. I still don't feel I broke any of the rules of conduct but that isn't my call all I hve to say is if you are going to have rule enforce them equally.