[Summit] voter ID

[Art Norwalk]

If we are concerned about disenfranchising less 
able or capable voters, these rules for mail 
ballots seem to place far more serious roadblocks 
and complexities than the ID requirement.

And as others have noted, the mail ballot system 
has been the scene of many times more fraud and 
chicanery, nationwide and notably here in 
Providence, than lack of ID for in-person voting. 
At the polling place you're alone when you mark 
your ballot so no one knows how you vote. Anyone, 
including political operatives, can "help" you fill out your mail ballot.

And of course there is the irony that Rhode 
Island's ID law was sponsored and passed by the 
party that prides itself for protecting the poor and minorities.

At 07:19 AM 10/8/2012, barfootjim wrote:

>I have a part time job delivering prescription 
>medicines from various drug stores. In this 
>work, I see many people who, for one reason or 
>another, find it extremely hard or impossible to 
>get out to get food, health care, or anything 
>else. Quite a few of them have difficulty even 
>crossing the room to open the door. Many are 
>elderly, but not all. Many have no 
>transportation available, and need to rely on 
>others to go out and get things for them. That's 
>what absentee ballots are for. Getting an 
>absentee ballot does not require a picture ID. 
>Why should voting in person? If the real purpose 
>of ID is to prevent voter fraud, the issue of 
>absentee ballots is a gaping hole in the solution.
>
>Here are the rules in RI:
>
>Am I eligible to vote by mail ballot?
>
>To request a mail ballot, you must be unable to 
>vote in person for one of these reasons:
>
>1. You are physically unable to vote in a 
>polling place because of illness or physical or mental disability.
>
>2. You are confined to a nursing home, 
>convalescent home or hospital within the State of Rhode Island.
>
>3. You are a Military or Overseas voter away due 
>to employment or service connected with military 
>operations or because you are a spouse or legal 
>dependent who lives with that person or you are 
>a U.S. citizen who will be outside the United States.
>
>In addition, there is a new, fourth category. 
>Thanks to a recent change in state law, you can 
>request a mail ballot if you think you may not 
>be able to vote at your assigned polling pl`Ú 
>ace on the day of election. Many people refer to 
>this as a “no-excuse“ mail ballot.
>How do I apply for a mail ballot?
>
>Mail ballot applications are generally available 
>at least two months before regularly scheduled 
>elections. Your completed application must be 
>received by your local board of canvassers at 
>least 21 days before the election. Your 
>completed mail ballot must be received by the 
>state Board of Elections by 9 p.m. the day of the election.
>
>If you are permanently disabled, you may arrange 
>to have mail ballot applications (not the actual 
>ballots) mailed to you automatically for five years.
>What if I have an emergency after the mail 
>ballot deadline and I can't vote in person?
>
>If emergency circumstances arise after the 
>regular mail ballot application deadline, you 
>can apply for an emergency mail ballot at your 
>local board of canvassers until 4 p.m. on the 
>day before the election. Your emergency mail 
>ballot must be received by the state Board of 
>Elections by 9 p.m. the day of the election.
>How do I complete a mail ballot?
>
>You should start by reviewing your ballot and 
>all enclosures. Follow all the instructions for 
>voting your ballot that are enclosed. After 
>completing your ballot, insert it into the small 
>envelope and seal it. Fill in the information on 
>the outside of the envelope as required. Then 
>sign the envelope. Unless you are a Military or 
>Overseas voter, two individuals or a notary must 
>witness your signature. Place the sealed 
>envelope containing your ballot into the large 
>envelope that is addressed to the state Board of 
>Elections. The state Board o`Ú f Elections must 
>receive your mail ballot by 9 p.m. on the day of the election.
>What if I do not receive my mail ballot or if I 
>make a mistake or the ballot is damaged?
>
>Request a replacement mail ballot by contacting 
>us at 401-222-2340 or <mailto:elections at sos.ri.gov>elections at sos.ri.gov
>Am I able to receive assistance casting my mail ballot?
>
>The law does permit you to get help completing 
>your ballot from a bi-partisan pair of 
>supervisors. Contact your local board of canvassers for more information.
>
>I see several openings for possible fraud.
>
>
>On Oct 7, 2012, at 11:18 PM, Craig Borges wrote:
>
>>Liberty, I could not have said it better. 
>>Middle class assumptions is right. What seems 
>>to be a rather simple task -- getting an ID -- 
>>is not so simple for some and requiring such is 
>>an indirect way of denying them one of their 
>>basic rights as an American -- to vote. 
>>Carrying an ID is not a requirement to be a US 
>>citizen nor should it be to exercise your right 
>>to vote. Voter ID laws do but one thing -- 
>>alienate those who are already on the fringes 
>>of society. They are discriminatory in that 
>>they hurt the poorer classes almost exclusively.
>>Craig Borges
>>
>>>
>>>There are a few very middle class assumptions being made here.
>>>Just getting the info on how to get an ID can be difficult for
>>>many.  Guess what - not everyone has access to internet and
>>>would know to go to the SOS.ri.gov site.  Even if people did
>>>find out the requirements, getting to the appropriate place
>>>to get the ID, with photo co`Ú uld mean taking time off from
>>>a job - impossible for many.  Getting to the polls is not
>>>comparable - there is a polling place within easy walking
>>>distance in all neighborhoods, and the lengthy voting hours
>>>avoid time conflicts.
>>>
>>>Finally, the multiple John Smiths at a single address over
>>>the years doesn't make sense as a problem.  The election
>>>workers would have a record of that John Smith having
>>>voted, and a signature.
>>>
>>>By the way, I have been wanting to get my mother's death
>>>certificate for years, but she died in NYC and the process
>>>is so complicated that even I, quite well educated and
>>>literate, have found it too much of a burden to do it.
>>>Dealing with this stuff is not a walk in the park.
>>>
>>>Blessings,
>>>
>>>Liberty G
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