General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums(MN) Mark Ritchie proposes a voter ID alternative that could make everyone happy
He's our Democratic Secretary of State.
Yesterday, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie unveiled a magic bullet for the voter ID issue. Ritchie presented a technology that would be cheaper than voter ID, less susceptible to fraud, and could be used without disenfranchising voters. Now well see if voter ID proponents are really concerned with ensuring election integrity, as they claim, or if their primary goal is to take away your right to vote. If its truly the latter, they should get on board with Ritchies proposal.
During a Senate hearing on Friday, Ritchie described the electronic poll books made by Datacard, a Minnesota company. Like photo ID, the system puts a photo of the potential voter in front of the election judge who can decide whether the person is who they say. But instead of the voter providing the ID, which could be forged, the photo is securely pulled up from Minnesotas drivers license photo database. The poll book could be on paper or on a computer.
If a person isnt in the photo database, the person could register and have a photo taken on the spot. Because voting twice in an election is a felony, its very unlikely someone would risk being photographed committing the crime.
Ritchie estimates such a system could be implemented in Minnesota for about $10 million. Thats about $30 million less than the estimated cost of a voter photo ID system advocated by Republicans last legislative session. [The Uptake, via MN Progressive Project]
MORE: http://mnpublius.com/post/18127137125/mark-ritchie-proposes-a-voter-id-alternative-that-could
hifiguy
(33,688 posts)Wouldn't be at all surprised to see him run for gov one day. Nice takedown of the 'pukes.
Kelvin Mace
(17,469 posts)but I am curious as to unforeseen consequences DUers might see.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)I am too wondering about unforeseen consequences.
DearAbby
(12,461 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)EC
(12,287 posts)that passed ID laws or are trying to pass them brings this to their Houses too. Write a bill and bring it to the floor and challenge the repubs on their real intent.
wildeyed
(11,243 posts)Cheaper, safer and allows for same day registration. Should be a win/win. Except that we know the whole purpose for voter id is to keep poor Democrats from voting and this system does not accomplish that.
Interested to hear other opinions of if this will really be a viable system. Has it been used successfully anywhere else?
rfranklin
(13,200 posts)Of course that defeats the Republican's plan so they will fight it tooth and nail.