2012 Tuesday: Voter fraud, not suppression, is real
It’s an election year, so we’re being treated to the usual back-and-forth about whether requiring voters to show a photo ID at the polls is an attempt to suppress voting or just voter fraud.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder — never hesitant to politicize an issue — last month likened voter ID laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes that suppress minority voting. Of course, neither he nor any plaintiff in a court challenge to a voter ID laws has produced any evidence that suppression has taken place. I’ve always thought it is insulting to minorities to suggest they are incapable, or unmotivated, or whatever, when it comes to obtaining a free, state-issued photo ID.
On the contrary: Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp noted in a recent interview that since the General Assembly passed our voter ID law in 2006, the number of minority voters has soared — between both the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections, and the 2006 and 2010 gubernatorial elections. That’s strong evidence against the idea that the law is suppressing voting by minorities. (H/t: Georgia Tipsheet)
Critics of voter ID requirements argue that voter fraud is non-existent, and that champions of these laws are trying to solve a non-problem. A new book by two leading supporters of voter ID laws aims to take away that argument, too.
In “Who’s Counting?”, conservative journalist John Fund and former Civil Rights Commissioner (and one-time Georgia resident) Hans von Spakovsky argue that a current U.S. senator may be in office thanks to voter fraud. Byron York explains in a Washington Examiner column about the book:
In the ‘08 campaign, Republican Sen. Norm Coleman was running for re-election against Democrat Al Franken. It was impossibly close; on the morning after the election, after 2.9 million people had voted, Coleman led Franken by 725 votes.
Franken and his Democratic allies dispatched an army of lawyers to challenge the results. After the first canvass, Coleman’s lead was down to 206 votes. That was followed by months of wrangling and litigation. In the end, Franken was declared the winner by 312 votes. He was sworn into office in July 2009, eight months after the election.
During the controversy a conservative group called Minnesota Majority began to look into claims of voter fraud. Comparing criminal records with voting rolls, the group identified 1,099 felons — all ineligible to vote — who had voted in the Franken-Coleman race.
Minnesota Majority took the information to prosecutors across the state, many of whom showed no interest in pursuing it. But Minnesota law requires authorities to investigate such leads. And so far, Fund and von Spakovsky report, 177 people have been convicted — not just accused, but convicted — of voting fraudulently in the Senate race. Another 66 are awaiting trial. “The numbers aren’t greater,” the authors say, “because the standard for convicting someone of voter fraud in Minnesota is that they must have been both ineligible, and ‘knowingly’ voted unlawfully.” The accused can get off by claiming not to have known they did anything wrong.
York adds: “With 1,099 examples identified by Minnesota Majority, and with evidence suggesting that felons, when they do vote, strongly favor Democrats, it doesn’t require a leap to suggest there might one day be proof that Al Franken was elected on the strength of voter fraud.”
At the very least, those 1,099 examples — and 177 convictions, so far — represent far more evidence in favor of voter ID laws than opponents have ever mustered for their case.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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472 comments Add your comment
gm
August 7th, 2012
5:33 pm
Amazing in 2000 when Bush stole the election, one of the worst case of fraud, no one said anything about changing the laws, but when Obama get elected and people of color turn out to support the Dem party the way they have for the last 50 years we change the rules.
Tealiban Party
August 7th, 2012
5:34 pm
The GOP really exposed themselves in Texas. The fact that Texas will allow a gun permit as voter ID but not college ID’s just goes to show what they are really trying to do to prevent “voter fraud”.
Dusty
August 7th, 2012
5:34 pm
JDW 5:15
I”‘m not suprised that you don’t know what I’m talking about. I am truthful and that confuses you.
I haven’t forgotten the Bush years. We survived quite well which is more than I can say about the Obama years. Nobody is going to blame Bush for all the mistakes Obama is making when history comes to bear.
—————————
Well, I should stay on subject. Voter fraud is like disease. Someone will eventually find a cure for it.
@@
August 7th, 2012
5:34 pm
JDW:
Don’t get all twitchy, fella.
I was asking why dems are opposed to purging the rolls when there’s obviously a need to unload the dead voters. Look at all the hooplah over Florida’s purge. Could it be because their rolls are in dire need of updating?
‘Ya gotta admit, if someone were to get their hands on voter rolls to do a little “fact” checking, the potential for fraud is there.
JamVet
August 7th, 2012
5:36 pm
OBAMA: ROMNEY WANTS VP PETRAEUS
No link? No quotes from the president? Nothing legit?
Sure smells like that familiar made up out of thin air neocon nonsense to me…
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 7th, 2012
5:36 pm
I Report
OBAMA: ROMNEY WANTS VP PETRAEUS
You do know that is just Obamaloney. He wants to set it up that Petraeus turned down Mitt. There is nothing from the Romney campaign indicating that he ever seriously considered Petraeus.
Rightwing Troll
August 7th, 2012
5:38 pm
“What material Congress received was the same material the president received. Bush & Cheney only passed what info they received to congress which is composed of both parties. Unless you are saying the your own Demo half of congress is perfectly stupid, then go ahead.”
And it was all a big steaming pile of poo perpetrated on us by chickenhawk wingnuts with some still unknown agenda… So yeah, I’d say the democrats in W’s congress were quite stupid, unlike you and your blinded ilks who can’t even mutter the words “I was wrong”… about anything… even though the years of 2000-2008 prove that’s simply not possible.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 7th, 2012
5:39 pm
gm
Amazing in 2000 when Bush stole the election
gm, I will not ask for any proof or link or evidence, just your explanation of how Bush stole the election. This should be entertaining, can’t wait.
Up Up and Away
August 7th, 2012
5:40 pm
Rafe
It is “I report”, like you he is prone to post a bunch of unsubstantiated bs, so let him run with it
Rightwing Troll
August 7th, 2012
5:41 pm
“And to treat 9/11 like it did not happen or was not caused by terrorists is absolutely brainless. George W. Bush stood before us after that disaster and held us together as a country.”
Unlike the wingnuts who deny George W Bush ever happened, nobody is treating 9/11 like it didn’t happen, we’re just puzzled how an idiot like W could dupe you rubes into an unnecessary war of choice…
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 7th, 2012
5:42 pm
“Amazing in 2000 when Bush stole the election,”
There’s your sign of mental instability right there.
Dusty
August 7th, 2012
5:43 pm
gm 5:33
More misinformation! Bush stole no election. Gore lost one. Get over it. Been too long to hold on to that big old lie.
Keep hollering fraud. You’ll be saying the same thing when Romney gets elected. I see you have the setup ready. It’s FRAUD!!!
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 7th, 2012
5:44 pm
Tealiban
College ID’s are not accepted in many states, because they have no expiration date on them. You could have graduated 10 years ago and go back to the college town and vote, if that is your ID. More potential voter fraud loved by the Dems.
Colleges are now changing that and adding exp dates, in fact, some are using stickers, hah, in an effort to “fix” that problem so these ID’s can be used in 2012.
Hillbilly D
August 7th, 2012
5:44 pm
When a 93 year old registered voter can’t get voter ID because of the inability to get her birth certificate…THAT’S a problem!!
My first question would be, is this woman on Social Security? Both of my parents, and scores of other people from my area in the same age range, had to get a birth certificate before they could collect their Social Security. Georgia didn’t even have birth certificates until 1919 and compliance was spotty for a couple decades after that. It’s not uncommon for an elderly person to have to get a birth certificate.
JDW
August 7th, 2012
5:45 pm
@@@…”‘Ya gotta admit, if someone were to get their hands on voter rolls to do a little “fact” checking, the potential for fraud is there.”
Now that is a different issue that has some merit. We should streamline and improve our ability to verify the rolls. I am not even opposed to keeping a history of when and where each voter casts their ballot and using analytics to kick out potential issues. None of that has any bearing whatsoever on Voter ID which is a complete waste of time and money when it comes to combating potential voter fraud.
The only thing voter ID does is make life hard for 11 million Americans who are eligible to vote but don’t possess the required government issued photo ID.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 7th, 2012
5:45 pm
“we’re just puzzled how an idiot like W could dupe you rubes into an unnecessary war of choice…”
I’m unaware that anybody but Congress voted to go to war, Rightwing Troll. Please refresh my memory as to when that vote occurred.
JDW
August 7th, 2012
5:47 pm
@Dusty…”We survived quite well which is more than I can say about the Obama years”
Yippee for you…most people can’t say that.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 7th, 2012
5:48 pm
we’re just puzzled how an idiot like W could dupe you rubes into an unnecessary war of choice…
Guess Hillary Clinton and John Kerry are rubes as well, because they voted for the war. Hillary had Slick Willie to check with before the vote. I guess that rube mislead her. I thought Hillary was the smartest woman in the world and she got duped as well?
JamVet
August 7th, 2012
5:51 pm
Too bad that 97% of the congressional cons voted to get all those kids killed in Iraq.
All those destroyed families, orphans and maimed bodies and broken spirits.
And for what?
What a waste.
That you Republicans can so cavalierly forgive the men who did that is tragic.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 7th, 2012
5:53 pm
“Where do you guys come up with this nonsense?”
Obama’s own words, JamVet. Perhaps you should spend more time reading.
Dusty
August 7th, 2012
5:53 pm
Tiberius,
You got it better. Mental instability! Right!!
Now poor ol’ Rightwing Troll is out waving his white flag again. I thought he had worn that rag out. I guess not. Strange he hasn’t noticed Obama has kept our troops in Afghanstan and Guantanamo is still open. . OH well. The troops are supposed to come home in a year or two except for a few thousand to “help out”. and Guantanamo is still agoing! but but but..he said………
Logic was never intended for libs
August 7th, 2012
5:53 pm
“Amazing in 2000 when Bush stole the election’
Love it that the left wingers are still upset that OwlGore lost.
JamVet
August 7th, 2012
5:53 pm
One last observation before heading out, a MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS VOTED AGAINST THAT NEEDLESS AND IDIOTIC WAR.
Had even a reasonable number of spineless GOPers done the same, those young men and women would all be alive today.
Own it, Republicans.
It was YOUR war.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 7th, 2012
5:53 pm
JDW
The only thing voter ID does is make life hard for 11 million Americans who are eligible to vote but don’t possess the required government issued photo ID.
Yeah, almost as bad as being water boarded, for sure. How anyone lives without an ID amazes me. Do we want these people voting? Obviously, they don’t use the library, or drive to the store, or go to the doctor, or drink alcohol. They do have a rough life, but hey it is America, their choice.
md
August 7th, 2012
5:54 pm
” I also know that there is not a single, solitary bill that was signed during that time that anyone can point to as being the cause of the recession.”
But there was one big bill that the dems blocked that very well could have had a bearing on the collapse……but those on the left would prefer to point the solitary finger at Bush….which makes themselves look a bit clueless.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/11/business/new-agency-proposed-to-oversee-freddie-mac-and-fannie-mae.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
And pay attention to Mr Franks comments toward the end…..still in denial.
JamVet
August 7th, 2012
5:54 pm
Obama’s own words, JamVet.
Then post them, liar.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 7th, 2012
5:55 pm
“Unlike the wingnuts who deny George W Bush ever happened
Selective poutrage. I said THREE times today that I would GLADLY discuss W.
Ready when you are, Troll.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 7th, 2012
5:55 pm
“Too bad that 97% of the congressional cons voted to get all those kids killed in Iraq.”
Another left winger who “accidentally” left out the fact that MANY MANY MANY Democrats voted for BOTH wars.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 7th, 2012
5:56 pm
“Had even a reasonable number of spineless GOPers done the same, those young men and women would all be alive today.”
I wonder if JamVet felt the same way WHEN A DEMOCRAT PRESIDENT SENT TROOPS OVER TO VIETNAM?
JamVet likes to act as if he speaks for the US military.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 7th, 2012
5:57 pm
“It was YOUR war.”
Gee, I had no idea I had such power.
md
August 7th, 2012
5:57 pm
JDW…you do yourself no favors when you list tax cuts for all as “tax cuts for the rich”…..some folks do know the reality.
Tealiban Party
August 7th, 2012
5:57 pm
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer’s ineptocracy
August 7th, 2012
5:44 pm
College ID’s are not accepted in many states, because they have no expiration date on them. You could have graduated 10 years ago and go back to the college town and vote, if that is your ID.
Sounds very reasonable, as there should be expiration dates. I suppose the Texas GOP went back and amended their law to make expiration dates legal. After all, democracy is about the participation of as many citizens as possible, right?
Logic was never intended for libs
August 7th, 2012
5:57 pm
“Then post them, liar.”
I love it when JamVet contradicts himself.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 7th, 2012
5:58 pm
I agree that the Iraq victory was all George Bush. Why are we arguing this?
toodles
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 7th, 2012
5:58 pm
I am with Dusty, the Bush years were a stroll in the park, the Obama years have been like water torture, drip, drip, drip, there goes the house, drip, drip, drip, there goes the car, drip, drip, drip, there goes the job, drip, drip, drip, there goes the savings.
Tealiban Party
August 7th, 2012
5:58 pm
***** meant REQUIRE expiration dates….. not expiration dates legal….****
Logic was never intended for libs
August 7th, 2012
5:59 pm
“College ID’s are not accepted in many states”
That’s why most college students, as well as US citizens, have drivers licenses.
Left wingers can not come up with one single idea as to why showing a valid photo id is bad.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 7th, 2012
6:00 pm
“the Bush years were a stroll in the park”
Low unemployment rate, not nearly as much debt…
I miss the Bush years.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 7th, 2012
6:01 pm
“Voter ID laws are nothing more than a backdoor way to create a POLL TAX”
More lies from left wingers.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 7th, 2012
6:04 pm
It’s funny how JamVet ONLY gets angry when soldiers die when a Republican is president. He never ever ever says a word about soldiers who died in Korea or Vietnam.
BTW, JamVet. Many soldiers have died under the Obama presidency yet you STILL blame Bush.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 7th, 2012
6:05 pm
gm
Are you going to entertain us with your version of the Great Bush Election Robbery of 2000? Where did you go gm.
Dusty
August 7th, 2012
6:06 pm
OH, 5:51
Any ignoramus who does not know that war is hell and forgets that a war is still being fought with terrorists in Afghanistan and Bush is not president now and went to war with bi-partisan Congressional approval……such a person should refrain from showing his ignorance and prejudice.
It isn’t a pretty sight and has become a repetitious rendering. Take a Tylenol every night, fellow, and you may feel better. But the prognosis is doubtful. You’ve been sayng the same misinformation for so long.
Dirty Dawg
August 7th, 2012
6:09 pm
Hey InAtl…I’m stilll here. Kyle won’t ban me because that would be dishonest and because he knows that I’m right. He’s part of the mechanism that has managed to convince half of the populace that the only way is the radical right’s way…that no compromise is tolerated and any kind of progressive thinking or action is to be abhorred. So Kyle is not dishonest. He takes the money and he does his job. Of course his job here in Georgia hasn’t been all that difficult since, to borrow a line from the 60’s, all it has taken to brainwash the majority around here is a ‘light rinse’.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 7th, 2012
6:10 pm
Dusty
It’s obvious that the guy is a very angry person. His rants are the same now as they were 10 years ago.
Bush is evil, Cheney is the devil, Repubs are mean, Halliburton, Enron, Wall Street blah blah blah. White people are nazis and Christians are part of the taliban (his words btw).
Logic was never intended for libs
August 7th, 2012
6:11 pm
“He’s part of the mechanism that has managed to convince half of the populace that the only way is the radical right’s way”
Ah yes, the “right wing conspiracy.”
md
August 7th, 2012
6:11 pm
The anti-war crowd does themselves no favors when the dems controlled the whole shooting match for 2 years and elected to double down in Afghanistan……..like it or not folks both parties were/are involved. All this silliness about which one did what is a bit comical. There were yes votes for both wars, and yes votes to continue….it is what it is.
JDW
August 7th, 2012
6:12 pm
@md…”you do yourself no favors when you list tax cuts for all as “tax cuts for the rich”…..some folks do know the reality.”
Apparently you aren’t one of them…
According to the Urban Institute-Brookings Institution Tax Policy Center.
The top 1 percent took 29.5 percent of the benefits, and the top 5 percent took 44.2 percent.
The top 20 percent took roughly two-thirds of the benefits from the tax cuts
When 5% of the population gets 44.2% of the benefit and 20% gets 66% that equals tax cuts for the rich.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 7th, 2012
6:12 pm
“After all, democracy is about the participation of as many citizens as possible, right?”
Two points, Tealiban.
1. No, it is not. Democracy is nothing but one person – one vote.
2. We are not a democracy, so your point carries no water.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 7th, 2012
6:14 pm
More people are killed in Chicago everyday than in Afghanistan and Iraq combined.
But hey, it’s a Democrat state so who cares, right?
Logic was never intended for libs
August 7th, 2012
6:15 pm
“democracy is about the participation of as many citizens as possible, right?”
Ask Rome. The USA is a Constitutional Republic. Funny how left wingers can’t even get that right.