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Here in Minnesota, I’d like to say we’re fraud free. Considering all of the fraudulent activity that took place acorss the country in Washington, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, and in other places I think it’s time to take a look at voter fraud.

Recently getting married, and moving into a new county, I was happy to see in the mail 2 new voter registration cards. 1 for me, and a new one for my wife since she’s had a change in name. Upon reading the voter card, I saw a check box which stated: “Check here if you would like information about serving as an election judge”.

Yep, I checked the box.

I put a stamp on the card, and sent it into the County Auditor so they can add me to the registration rolls.

Now, hopefully, come election time this year, I can walk into the polling place, easily get in line, and sign my name to the book with zero hassle, and no questionable doubts about the legitimacy of the registration rolls.

With this article published on one of the local news websites, it brought to my mind, questions about protecting future voters from fraud and abuse by those people with less than honorable intentions. Now, I could care less if the Democrats or Republicans were the ones to initiate this idea or not, I honestly believe that requiring voters to prove who they are is essential to ensuring a fair election.

Of course the democrats didn’t think so:

Critics of the plan say it is a politically-motivated proposal. “I don’t think there is a problem,” says Brian Melendez, the DFL party chair. “I don’t understand why we’d come up with a problem that would drive down turnout and prevent people from voting.”

Seriously, is this a question about preventing people from voting? Or is this a question of Democrats crying that they cannot sneak people into a voting booth who aren’t supposed to vote in that precinct?

Here are the voter registration rules for our state:

How To Become a Minnesota Voter

Minnesota puts a premium on voter turn out, so it’s easy to become a Minnesota voter even if you wait until the day of the election to register.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 15 minutes
Here’s How:

1. You need to register if you’ve moved, changed your name, or haven’t voted in the last four years.

2. You can register to vote in Minnesota if you’re a US citizen, at least 18, and not serving out a felony sentence.

3. You can register in advance by sending or delivering a Voter’s Registration form to the office of the City Clerk, County Auditor, or Secretary of State.

4. You can register on the day of the election with official identification with your correct, current address on it.

5. You can register with an official form of identification with an old address and a current utility bill.

6. You can register to vote if a registered voter in your precinct can vouch for you.
Tips:

1. You can get a Voter’s Registration form at public libraries, driver’s license office, and in state income tax booklets.
2. If you’ll be out of town on Election Day, call your County Auditor or City Clerk for details on Absentee Voting.

I highlighted tip #6 for the simple fact that IF you truly wanted to commit voter fraud here in Minnesota, all you would have to do is find a registered voter in a District whose election was vital to your political party, get them, or a group of registered neighbors to vouch for “extra people” to help sway your cause.

So, I ask you: Is voter fraud something we should seriously take a look at? Not just here where I live, but where you do as well? If so, don’t you think that by making it mandatory that people Identify themselves with a state or federal ID card a stepping stone to ensuring that everyone has a fair election?

I believe that arguing about it as a means of “disenfranchising the poor” is a lousy excuse when in our state,to get just about any welfare service, or to cash a check, or even driving a car requires you to have a license or state ID.

And requiring such a policy to be put into law will go a long way to making certain those who are here illegally do not have access to our political or legal processes while they are still in this country illegally.

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Written by David Nick on January 27, 2006

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