Real voting reform

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

The feds run voting

You can
1. Register before election day
2. Register election day with photo ID and SS number
3. vote provisionally without photo ID or SS number

The feds made sure you vote at most once.

The voting machines are electronic, and give you a receipt which you must deposit in a box next to the voting machine. The receipts are the real votes, the machine totals are just used for election night returns. Since the receipts were machine printed, they are easily machine readable.

[J. J.]

1.  If you make provision for something for people without an SSN, yes.  Some people/groups don't believe SS on religious/ideological grounds and don't have them.

2.  If you require proof of citizenship, yes.

[MODU]

1. Register before election day

Yes, a good idea, but you have to set a standardized date.  Everyone who wants to vote must be registered by Sept 30th.

2. Register election day with photo ID and SS number

Negative.  See above. 

3. vote provisionally without photo ID or SS number

Negative.  Provisional ballots will only lead to voter fraud.  See above.

[dougrhess]

I say just let people vote and register on election day, but require the following: 

1. Sign an affidavit with the clear penalties (hike them up even).
2. Have them complete (unless they check they cannot write) a standard sentence of writing in their own hand. This was used at one of my GRE test locations; it reduces fraud by making it very hard to fake if later testing need be done (at least for 99.99% of us).

Some other ideas off the top of my head (haven't had coffee yet):

3. Allow voting by mail only for people truly out of town or disabled and not a door to door effort (fraud and pressure is done this way, originated with Republicans, butyou don't hear people on here who talk about fraud mentioning that, do you?!?) AND allow early voting the week before. People who try to vote early, but face some problem can submit affidavit on the spot and have time to show any proof they need to in the next day(s).
4. Allow people who vote early to check their vote online with a stub from their ballot that contains an anonymous pass ID.
5. Require states to send a voter booklet to each registered voter as of Oct. XX. Allow candidates equal space and allow them to do as they wish with it. (Ok, no porn from the Calif. governor race candidates.)
6. Require the Postal Service to place two voter registration forms in each mailbox in the early Fall...or sometime. I guess they could instead just deliver a postcard that lets the resident check "Yes, leave this household ___ voter registration applications" and leave it in the box for the Postal Carrier to know how many to drop off.
7. Require states to launch voter registration drives so that nonprofits and parties don't have to do as much and face all these problems. It's a waste of charitable dollars that we have such a registration nightmare in this country compared to others.
8. Allow people to register when they file their local or federal taxes. All the info is there except party choice, I think.
9. Require that everyvoter, no matter the technology, gets a receipt showing how their vote was recorded. They must check it on site, but can take it with them, if they wish, or place it in a "burn-bag." ;-)
10. Allow people who need special voting assistance (blind, wheelchair, etc.) to check that on the registration application. The information is not to be disclosed, but compiled so the state can make some better plans.

Hmmm....I'll think of more later. How about thumbprints when you vote? I guess that would be pretty scary to people on the far left and right. (Maybe saliva swabs? Hair sample? Just kidding!!!)

[stry_cat]

Here is a good idea.  End Voter Registration.  It won't be any more fradulent than what we have now and I would argue it would be less prone to abuse.  They do it in North Dakota with little problem.

[dougrhess]

Here is a good idea.  End Voter Registration.  It won't be any more fradulent than what we have now and I would argue it would be less prone to abuse.  They do it in North Dakota with little problem.

Possible. I think that some identity measures have to be taken and SSN probably won't suffice. I do think they should allow people with sufficient ID to just walk in and do it if they aren't registered, but there needs to be a way to help people who aren't sufficiently possessing ID. I'd be interesting to see who those people are..likely the poorest, nondrivers, students and people in temporary or group housing situations.

[Light Touch]

Since when did the feds do anything right?

[rockhound]

The feds run voting

Don't let the feds run anything.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Here is a good idea.  End Voter Registration.  It won't be any more fradulent than what we have now and I would argue it would be less prone to abuse.  They do it in North Dakota with little problem.

Allowing same day registration/voting is essentially the same idea.

[muon2]

The feds run voting

You can
1. Register before election day
2. Register election day with photo ID and SS number
3. vote provisionally without photo ID or SS number

The feds made sure you vote at most once.

The voting machines are electronic, and give you a receipt which you must deposit in a box next to the voting machine. The receipts are the real votes, the machine totals are just used for election night returns. Since the receipts were machine printed, they are easily machine readable.

There are some interesting thoughts here, and recent patches to voting require some better forethought. Here's my two cents worth.

First, use Federal standards, as opposed to Federal operation. Many elections have no Federal candidates, so there's no point in them operating elections that are purely local. Given that, it's better to have the same group operating all elections at the county/precinct level rather than change depending on the type of election. There are already some Federal standards (eg. Motor Voter), so this doesn't add a new layer.

Second, recent reform has made advance registration problematic. Motor Voter made it too easy for ineliglible adults to vote, by not checking registration. The use of provisional ballots already provides a means to avoid advance registration. If an at-the-door system is to work, there must be an ID that includes voter eligibility information. Until state ID's (DLs or whatever) have citizenship info as well as age, this remains a problem.

Third, provisional balloting is not going to sit well with an impatient public. In IL the requirements of provisional balloting have now made it so that official election results will not be released for 21 days after the election. That's not in itself bad, but the public will want to know close results sooner. If one goes to at-the-door registration, then I see little need for provisional balloting. People have to carry a driver's license to drive, people can be asked to carry a voting ID to vote.

[phillies]

The major reform, which needs to be done state by state, is to reduce or eliminate excessive ballot access requirements.  This can be done by lobbying, litigation, or referendum.

[minionofmidas]

The feds run voting

Don't let the feds run anything.

Essentially, what you're saying is Legalize Election Fraud.
Quite simply, those are the only two options.
Voter registration is automatical in most developed countries btw.

[dougrhess]

Since when did the feds do anything right?

Lots of things. Not sure how to answer your question becuase people love to bitch and moan about government vs consider what a productive evaulation would be. I guess my tops for effective government would be the Land Grant university system, ending or controlling many communicable diseases, the effectiveness of Soc Sec in reducing elderly poverty and food/nutrition programs in ending malnutrition. Lots of others.

[dougrhess]

"There are some interesting thoughts here, and recent patches to voting require some better forethought. Here's my two cents worth.

First, use Federal standards, as opposed to Federal operation. Many elections have no Federal candidates, so there's no point in them operating elections that are purely local. Given that, it's better to have the same group operating all elections at the county/precinct level rather than change depending on the type of election. There are already some Federal standards (eg. Motor Voter), so this doesn't add a new layer."

>I think you're right on the standards vs. operating. Good point.

"Second, recent reform has made advance registration problematic. Motor Voter made it too easy for ineliglible adults to vote, by not checking registration. The use of provisional ballots already provides a means to avoid advance registration. If an at-the-door system is to work, there must be an ID that includes voter eligibility information. Until state ID's (DLs or whatever) have citizenship info as well as age, this remains a problem."

Motor voter is not to blame. There isn't any evidence of increased fraudulent voting. In fact, the NVRA (motor voter law) increased the penalties for it. It's really hard to orchestrate fake voting in the numbers it would take to swing an election. Somebody is going to squeal and the benefit (desire to elect your guy) is not worth the potential cost of hefty jail/fines. I think citizenship is also not an issue, as long as people fear the penalty, I doubt they will knowingly committ fraud. Stricker Identity control is an issue, as is tracking people who move and don't delete old registrations. Personally, I'm starting to lean towards finger printing or even compulsory voting.

"Third, provisional balloting is not going to sit well with an impatient public. In IL the requirements of provisional balloting have now made it so that official election results will not be released for 21 days after the election. That's not in itself bad, but the public will want to know close results sooner. If one goes to at-the-door registration, then I see little need for provisional balloting. People have to carry a driver's license to drive, people can be asked to carry a voting ID to vote."

Many people don't have driver's licenses; also, if they don't register to vote where's the voting ID come from? Maybe I misunderstood.

I guess I agree that people should just be able to walk up and vote where ever they wish. They just say, my address is X. The official then has a computer display or print out the correct ballot for them and the person completes it, signs the affadavit as to who they are, their age, citizenship, where they live, etc. Each ballot has a unique number on it that is also on the stub given to the voter (or perhaps it is on a copy of their ballot) The officials and parties can challenge ballots. Individuals can check to see that the record for how they voted matches the copy they have through the unique number and a unique password that is only on their copy of their ballot. Results are not released until some time for all this checking is completed (maybe one week). However, preliminary results can be released (a sample of the votes for instance, like exit poll but with the real votes) so that an election (or state) that is not close can be conceded. I think it would be ok to photograph people after they sign their affidavit. Shouldn't be publicly available, but on file for use if there are questions about identity. Or the handwriting example I gave above or fingerprints (prints might seem more Orwellian; people are used to being photographed).

My brother in law  has a funny story about not being able to vote in MN once until somebody who was registered could vouch for him. He saw a childhood neighbor and asked her. She said to the officials "Oh, of course, this is little David, I've known him since he was a child." Problem: his name is Mike. David was his older brother.

[Light Touch]

Lots of things. Not sure how to answer your question becuase people love to bitch and moan about government vs consider what a productive evaulation would be. I guess my tops for effective government would be the Land Grant university system, ending or controlling many communicable diseases, the effectiveness of Soc Sec in reducing elderly poverty and food/nutrition programs in ending malnutrition. Lots of others.

Sorry, that doesn't even pass the smell test for a ringing endorsement of federal government power.

[dougrhess]

Lots of things. Not sure how to answer your question becuase people love to bitch and moan about government vs consider what a productive evaulation would be. I guess my tops for effective government would be the Land Grant university system, ending or controlling many communicable diseases, the effectiveness of Soc Sec in reducing elderly poverty and food/nutrition programs in ending malnutrition. Lots of others.

Sorry, that doesn't even pass the smell test for a ringing endorsement of federal government power.

Sorry, your response doesn't pass the smell test for building an argument. My point, clearly I thought, was that there are many examples of things that federal government can do well and does do well. The caveat being, as I said, it is hard to develop evaluations for many things government does.

[MODU]

The problem is the gov't tries to fix EVERYTHING when it's only a simple tweak that's required.  For instance, all the government has to do for future elections is say "US citizens must register to vote no later than Sept 30th of the election year."  Plain, simple, online . . . no confusion.  It becomes a standard which everyone will recognize and remember . . . just like tax day.  By establishing a registration deadline, each state can consolidate their records and mail out the absentee ballots on-time (since they are suppose to be mailed no later than 30 days before the election), as well as know who is elligible to vote come election day.

Piece of cake.

As far as candidates getting onto state ballots, the Gov't can tell the states that they need to have their ballots established by August 31st, which will give the candidates 30 days to plead their case before the state judge if need be.  That way, come Sept 30th, the state ballots are finalized, and the absentee ballots can be mailed out on time.

Again, piece of cake.

No need for lengthy regulations or guidelines or additions.  Just straight to the point.

I am MODU, and I apporve this message.  This message is brought to you by the COMMON SENSE party.  

[muon2]

"Second, recent reform has made advance registration problematic. Motor Voter made it too easy for ineliglible adults to vote, by not checking registration. The use of provisional ballots already provides a means to avoid advance registration. If an at-the-door system is to work, there must be an ID that includes voter eligibility information. Until state ID's (DLs or whatever) have citizenship info as well as age, this remains a problem."

Motor voter is not to blame. There isn't any evidence of increased fraudulent voting. In fact, the NVRA (motor voter law) increased the penalties for it. It's really hard to orchestrate fake voting in the numbers it would take to swing an election. Somebody is going to squeal and the benefit (desire to elect your guy) is not worth the potential cost of hefty jail/fines. I think citizenship is also not an issue, as long as people fear the penalty, I doubt they will knowingly committ fraud. Stricker Identity control is an issue, as is tracking people who move and don't delete old registrations. Personally, I'm starting to lean towards finger printing or even compulsory voting.

My major concern is not with intentional fraud, though that can always be a fear in close elections. My observation as a veteran pollwatcher and registrar is that well intentioned people get themselves registered to vote. If the staffer at the motor vehicles office asks a new applicant about wanting to vote, some ineligible people do say yes. It's not to be fraudulent, but because they do want to vote. This happened in my neighborhood with immigrant families whose English skills were weak. The immigrants are non-citizens, but they showed up on the voter registration list for this precinct.

"Third, provisional balloting is not going to sit well with an impatient public. In IL the requirements of provisional balloting have now made it so that official election results will not be released for 21 days after the election. That's not in itself bad, but the public will want to know close results sooner. If one goes to at-the-door registration, then I see little need for provisional balloting. People have to carry a driver's license to drive, people can be asked to carry a voting ID to vote."

Many people don't have driver's licenses; also, if they don't register to vote where's the voting ID come from? Maybe I misunderstood.

I know that not everyone has a DL. Anyone can get a legal ID from the same office. It has a different background and identifies the person as a non-driver. Since people are already prone to carry a DL or equivalent state picture ID, it would be the easiest way to create a picture voter card that didn't require yet another ID to remember to carry.

I currently am sent a non-picture voter card with my polling place identified on it. That is another method for giving an ID. If there is at-the-door registration, effectively the registration takes place at an agency that issues the ID.