Semblance of a Whole

Promote the Vote

Sadly, voter apathy has become epidemic in the U.S.. After every election, it seems, we hear more about the declining percentage of citizens who exercise their rights. The state of MInnesota has one of the better records in terms of voter turn-out, though it is still far below what it should be. Minnesota's relative success may be in part due to the fact that it is one of only a few states that allows same-day registration. We are the only state that allows people who don't have any of the approved forms of written documentation have someone "vouch" for them so they can register. If you are already registered, you don't need a photo ID, you just need to sign the roster affirming that you are who you say you are. Some people would like to change all that, however. The state legislature yesterday passed a bill which would require proof of citizenship to register and a photo ID to vote.

As I have written about before, I have worked for several years now as an election judge for the city of MInneapolis, so I have more experience than the average citizen with how the registration and voting processes work. I can pretty much guarantee that if this becomes law, there will be a major reduction in the number of people who register and who actually vote.

Although I have issues with the photo-ID-to-vote requirement, let's leave those aside for the moment and address the more serious problem -- the strict requirements for registration. Even with the relatively liberal requirements currently in place, I have had to turn away people from the registration table. Imagine if everyone had to come up with a state-certified copy of their birth certificate (which costs $16, by the way) or passport (I'm not sure how you get a "state-certified copy" of your passport or what that would cost) or naturalization papers in order to register -- even if they register ahead of time by mail. Major pain in hind quarters! Major pain in the pocket book!

Supporters of this legislation cite concerns that it is too easy to vote illegally, although there is no evidence that this is actually happenning. Even if it was, we need to weigh the potential harm against that caused by creating these extra barriers. Supporters of the legislation worry about a few (theoretical) votes from people who weren't supposed to be voting. I worry about the votes that, even under the current, more liberal laws, don't get cast because people aren't able to negotiate the process. If there actually illegal aliens out there taking the trouble to break the law and cast a vote, at least they care about their adopted country.

I think Minnesota should be proud of the fact that it is one of the easiest states in which to exercise your democratic right to vote. Of course, if the law is passed, as an election judge I would enforce it, but I hope it doesn't come to that. Thankfully, that possibility is considered unlikely, as the Senate is yet to even give the bill a hearing.