Elections Can't Really be Fair, Free and Accurate if Eligible Voters Can't Vote

Last week, the United States Supreme Court upheld an Indiana law requiring voters to present a government-issued photo ID in order to vote. This week, that new law garnered national attention when 12 elderly nuns were prevented from voting because they did not have the required government-issued ID.

This is the predictable result of a flawed law. We've been facing the same battle in my home state of Missouri. In fact, in 2006 our state Supreme Court struck down a similar law as unconstitutional. But now, the debate over whether to require government-issued ID's in order to vote is back.

This week, as the Missouri House of Representatives began its debate on this voter suppression legislation, I spoke to Sister Sandy Schwartz of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Mary the Angel. After she heard the story about the Indiana incident, she did a quick survey of the 35 nuns in her convent and found that 15 did not have a government-issued photo ID to vote -- therefore, no right to vote.

Another Missourian, Birdie Owen had a different story. Birdie relocated to Missouri after Hurricane Katrina and still uses her Louisiana ID. That's because she can't get a Missouri photo ID.

Why? Because her birth certificate was lost in the hurricane. And because a birth certificate is one of the documents required in order to get a Missouri photo ID, without one, no government-issued ID... therefore, no right to vote.

Another affected citizen is Kathleen Weinschenk. Kathy has cerebral palsy and because of her disability is unable to make a consistent signature or mark - so her signature might not match the signature on her voter registration record required by the Missouri law...therefore, no right to vote.

As Missouri's Secretary of State, it's my job to help ensure that our elections are fair, free and accurate. But it is also my job to protect the voting rights of every citizen. Not, 95% of our citizens. Not, just Missourians who have a drivers license or a passport.

Elections cannot be fair, free and accurate if eligible voters are not allowed to vote.

Across our country in recent years we've seen a disturbing trend. States have begun debating and passing restrictive laws allowing only those voters who can prove their identity by means of government-issued photo identification to vote.

I support the idea of voters identifying themselves at the polls. That's common sense. In Missouri, we ALREADY do just that.

So what is this debate all about? It's about whether we should only allow those Missourians with a certain kind of GOVERNMENT ISSUED photo ID to vote.

For most Missourians - and most Americans -- presenting a government ID is not a burden, most of us have a drivers license and we carry it with us all the time.

But for those citizens who don't have a drivers license or other government-issued ID, but nevertheless are legitimate, registered voters, it can be a great burden indeed.

My office has calculated how many Missouri voters risk being disenfranchised by this law. Our estimate, after comparing the state drivers and non-drivers license list with the list of registered voters, is that up to 240,000 Missourians could be impacted.

A new restrictive voting law would impact mostly the elderly, the disabled, the poor or even young people who may be 18 registered to vote but not yet drive.

The recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on the Indiana's restrictive voter identification law now puts the idea of fair and free elections in jeopardy.

Let me give a couple more examples:

If you are married woman whose name has changed and you want to get a government-issued ID to vote, you need to bring your marriage license. If you lost that marriage license, it will cost you time and money to get a new copy. If you are divorced and remarried, you better bring along a copy of your divorce decree.

If you were born out of state and you want to get a Missouri government issued ID to vote you will need to write a letter to that state and ask for a certified copy of your birth certificate. It may cost you up to $30.00 to get a copy.

But in many states you'll face yet another problem...you are required to show a photo ID before they will provide a copy of your birth certificate.

In the case of Birdie, a natural disaster washed away all the bureaucratic documents required in order to get a government-issued photo ID. Tornadoes, floods and hurricanes shouldn't be cause for eligible citizens to lose their right to vote in this country.

If you lost your social security card, and you want to vote, you better make a trip to the social security office. You will also need to remember to bring along a copy of your birth certificate.

Supporters of these restrictive government ID laws falsely claim that because the state will provide "free" photo ID's to those who need them there is no hardship. But what the supporters of these laws fail to mention is that no government issued ID is really free.

As Missouri's Secretary of State, I will continue to fight for free, fair and accurate elections that allows all eligible Missourians to participate in the political process. But across the country, people need to know the real story and the real impact of these laws. Quite simply, they are undermining our democracy.

Comments

[zigzag1]

If the fascist corporatists stay in power, we'll soon have to have a bar code tattooed on our ass.

[RedStateVoter]

So, will it make us feel any better when we "moon" the gas station with each fill up?

[BrighterStar]

I really don't see how getting an ID is any serious burden. All it takes is one trip to the DMV. This seems like a lot of hot air over nothing.

[Doofus]

The logic from the Court was, long ago, that requiring an ID that you had to pay for was
equivalent to a 'poll tax', which was charged once-upon-a-time before one was allowed
to vote in some states & was judged to be discriminatory. So, poll taxes were prohibited,
and therefore, requiring a paid-for ID would be prohibited also.

However, looks like it's under reconsideration. Seems like requiring a picture ID has
become accepted practice for commerce, whether the Court approves or not, so why
not for voting also. Ought not voting be as 'secure' a transaction as cashing a check?

[egal]

If you bothered to read the article before posting, you would realize that it's a huge issue for some because they no longer possess--or have any means of getting, with records offices flooded as well--the photo I.D.'s or records necessary to "just go to the DMV" and get the requisite I.D.

Not to mention, many are too old or sick to do something so simple, and every state has different requirements not only for voting but also for obtaining records. In most, it can take time that doesn't exist for those whe voted so soon after a change to make only one specific photo I.D. the requirement.

[Doofus]

In a country such as ours where there is NO 'national ID system' in effect,
where the very idea of such a thing is consider 'evil', it SEEMS that the process
for putting one in place would be clumsy, impossible, hateful, unfair & (well...) 'evil'.

Once 'they' work out how to do it, we'd probably wonder how we ever did without it.

At least until later, when 'they' start rounding US up.

[liberalghost]

yeah, but the self-righteousness of opposing it makes some feel patriotic.

[pcplz]

I am sorry, Ms. Carnahan, but I do not agree with you. I am a proud Missourian and have had to provide proper identification for everything that I do. I even have to give my birthdate to cash a check. If some citizens find it hard to have an identification card then......­.set up a program to help them get one. If they cannot afford the cost of the process, then set up a fund to help them. They have quite a few months to get it sorted out. that should be plenty of notice.

I am much more worried about voter fraud than about someone who can't take the time to become identified.

[blackchaps]

I wonder if the nuns agree with you.

[mishte]

How do they function without verifying who they are? They don't drive or have taxes or work outside the church or work with schools or children or need health insurance or travel?

I would think even nuns have to function by the same rules as everyone else for such things. Acquiring a valid ID should be fast and simple for those who have a hardship. I'm not sure how someone can function with no way to prove their identity, but maybe I'm missing something. Many poor people receive different kinds of government aid through federal and state programs, so I'm not sure poverty in and of itself is the hindrance. I'm not being insensitive - I think the process is too complicated. But what are the obstacles for proving who you are?

That said, I don't like the idea of an intrusive federal ID system. But having a voter identification for anyone who wants to vote and is eligible, yes.

[dsbsh]

My question is why are you so worried about voter fraud? Read what Ms. Carnahan wrote. It's been studied carefully, in Missouri and elsewhere. The GOP has made it a mission over the past decade to find it and stop it... and they've found almost nothing. IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. The burdens on the poor, elderly, disabled and others caused by these types of ID laws, however, are real. They may not be a burden to you and I, but when they affect tens of thousands per state and don't stop any real problem, you have to ask yourself what is really going on.

[LittleBrother]

I appreciate the Secretary's lucid and insightful analysis-- a thoughtful opinion by a person who has actual expertise and experience, and has actually DONE HOMEWORK, is authoritative and persuasive.

Not so the shallow amateur criticisms-- the majority of which, I notice, are from Haves glibly and bumptiously telling the Have-Nots to just Get With the Program. Problem solved. Case closed.

The Secretary's reality-based commentary establishes that the obstacles to obtaining a handy-dandy Official Gummint ID are real and substantial. And the kicker is that even the corrupt and malign Supremes didn't find evidence that the absence of a photo ID generated significant voting fraud. They ruled that it was constitutional for a state to require IDs, but didn't set forth or endorse any compelling rationale supporting the state's pretext for imposing the law. It was more of a "they can if they want to" decision.

It really is about thinning the voting herd, and I encourage folks to think hard before assuming "good riddance".

[osturk]

those evil supremes leaving this issue up to the states

I am with you voter registration should easy, just like taking the Haves money

[liberalghost]

Oh, I see! A moron who believes the wealthy shouldn't pay taxes. After all, it's hard being rich, especially if one was only born rich.

[ofbbg]

You anti- IDers are a piece of work. Let's see: buying alcohol legally - need ID; getting on a airplane- need an ID; cashing a check - need an ID; buying a firearm - need an ID, etc., etc., ad infinitum. Let's be honest here - what you really resent is that people have to prove that they're citizens!
Stop drinking the Kool-Aid!

[BradF]

Of course, you're wrong. But I don't suspect you much care.

I buy alcohol all the time without an ID, and neither is one needed for getting on a plane etc. It's more convenient if you have one, but corporations (unlike the Republicans in their War on Voting) have realized that not everyone has such an ID, and have accommodations for those who don't.

If you wish to disenfranchise thousands of voters, that's up to you. But I'll stand with democracy and our Constitution, thanks.

[RedStateVoter]

As a Missouri resident I am all for the ID requirement, and I support funding a state program to provide ID for those who cannot afford the small fee through a surcharge on the ID (or drivers license) for those like myself who already have an ID/License.

Everyone should have an official ID, for no other reason as to allow emergency medical personal to know your name if something terrible should happen.

[klmebane]

would that fund also pay for those who moved from different states and had to pay fees to get copies of birth, marriage or divorce records from the previous state in which they lived?

i live in illinois and have had gov't id since i was about 16. and for years (about 6 or so) i had a hyphenated name on my id because i added my step-fathers' name to mine in high school. i lost or broke my plastic id a few times and never had a problem replacing it (even after 9/11, although they required my ss card to do so) and then one time they refused to issue me a new id because the name on the license and the name on the ss card didn't match. (my ss card didn't have the hyphenation because my step-father never legally adopted me, a costly things that just couldn't be done at the time). i had to come back with my birth certificate (from a different state) and they almost didn't take that either, because the original had my birth father's name as my last name, which my mother changed shortly after i was born, but couldn't afford to have a new birth certificate issued, so there was a court document attached to it noting the correction. all in all it took me 3 or 4 trips to get a new id.

[klmebane]

part 2

imagine the hassle someone has to go through when they have to re-order documents that can take months to get copies or re-issues of, so they can go get a government id. wouldn't it be simpler to allow people to use a few forms of id (i.e. a credit card with their name one it, and a gym membership card with their picture and name on it, for example?) that would allow people who can prove who they are (but don't have gov't id) to do so without jumping through hoops that could possibly delay them long enough to miss election day.

[PaulLoeb]

Study after study has found that the supposed issue of voter fraud is nonexisten­t...At best those raising the issue can come up with a literal handful of examples, mostly accidental. In Indiana, those supporting the law couldn't find a single one.

But now huge numbers of voters are going to be disenfranched, mostly the poor who lean Democrat, which is the idea of who's pushign it. This is going to be a continuing fight, and bravo for Carnahan for raise it. I just sent some money for her reelection campaign.

[osturk]

could you please name those studies so i can look them up

[BradF]

Sure, see the Bush DoJ's own numbers here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/12/washington/12fraud.html?ei=5088&en=277feccfa099c7d0&ex=1334030400&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1197490509-kQxLoEru+cH9aetsLB6CnA

The Bush EAC's own "Voter Fraud" report is here:
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=4391

Columbia's report on "The Politics of Voter Fraud" is here:
http://www.bradblog.com/Docs/PoliticsofVoterFraudFinal.pdf

Need anything else?

[WoodyCPM]

That's right. The Republican Supreme Court hates democracy and they're trying to do all they can to stamp it out. They recognize that if it hadn't been for voter suppression and vote switching conducted by various Republican operatives, they wouldn't be sitting on the bench in The Supreme Court.

[08timefortruth]

I'm sure someone in "Birdie's" position might have a more difficult time then most in providing ID but my understanding is that all vital statistics are centrally housed in the state capital so why could she not get a birth certificate from the state of LA? I am sure she would need some type of ID to apply for any job, benefits, ect.

I think states should have a program that helps the poor and elderly get their ID if the cost is prohibitive but I see nothing wrong with having to prove your identity and your citizenship before you vote.

[klmebane]

indiana isn't asking for SOME FORM OF ID, they are asking for ONLY GOVERNMENT ID'S.

[Barbwire]

I'd love to see you on the Supreme Court, Ms. Carnahan. Your well-reasoned arguments should be widely read. Either some pro-ID people are disingenuous, or ignorant of history. As long as there is a group dedicated to keeping some citizens from voting, we need vigilant public servants such as yourself.

[lorla]

In the state of MI, you used to have to present three documents as proof, to get ID. Now it is five. Not just any five, but five different groups of lists, one from each group, or two from one group and one from the remaining three. Even though my son already had his drivers permit, and proof of his passing a drivers test, and his birth certificate,he still could not get his liscence. After waiting for over an hour on the first two occasions, thinking we had the proper documentation, we were rudely turned away. Finally, the third time, after waiting yet another hour, he got his ID.
If it was this hard for me, given my living conditions are pretty stable, I couldn't imagine trying to get one if had to move alot, or lived in a shelter, or was elderly and needed help, money and transportation.
There will be many obstacles to overcome in the upcoming voter drive in MI.

[GuyRC]

Why cant we just bring in id to register, then we dont need it again unless we move and need to register again?

[BubbaC33]

The small burden of getting a government ID is a non-issue. The right and duty to vote require us to make an effort to vote. And if that requires an ID, that's OK. Voting is also a priviledge reserved for US citizens.

[army193]

If, I correct the federal law is that every American must have a social security card . That with any other identification should be all we need.

[klmebane]

that card is so small, people lose it all the time. with identity theft the way it is im sure you can no longer just walk into the ss office and ask for a new one. if someone loses it, and has no other id, how are they supposed to replace it?

[2warvet]

I don't buy in to you logic of "voter suppressio­n." Especially when the votes of those who did not have id's in IN will be counted if they present an ID within 10 days, but you fogot to mention that part.

A government issued id is required for many things, such as cashing a check, opening a bank account, etc, Why is it all of a sudden a problem to have an id? If you ask me the only problem is, what took so long to make this a law? Keeps those who should not be reigistered (ie. illegals, or in the case of many Chicago elections, the dead) from casting ballots.

If you are so concerned about disenfranchisement of the poor and elderly then you should start a get out and vote program to help those who need assistance get their id card.

[klmebane]

10 days is not enough time to jump through hoops and possibly months of red tape to get an id.

[liberalghost]

The underlying problem with your argument is that when the voter registration was set up a hundred or more years ago, people didn't move, sometimes yearly, and [illegal] immigration was not really a factor. People knew each other. Their right to vote wasn't in question.

[klmebane]

also, not everyone cashes checks, opens banks accounts, or buys guns.

[Weathermaker]

Without photo IDs the potential for fraud is colossal. Just imagine Florida 2000 w/o photo ID requirements. If everyone was honest, we wouldn't need driver licenses or passports. Unfortunately, we also have Carl Rove.

[Hastings]

"Without photo IDs the potential for fraud is colossal. Just imagine Florida 2000 w/o photo ID requirements. If everyone was honest, we wouldn't need driver licenses or passport. Unfortunately, we also have Carl Rove."

,the motor/voter law, the Democratic Party, and allied groups supporting the Democratic Party.

[hopeless277]

Uh, I thought that was the point. Supress the votes of the poor and elderly. This country is finished.