Sorry to be so dense

[neuvocat]

but I have a question about the Georgia voter ID act. I was generally in favor of having an ID ready to prove one's identity. Why has Bill Clinton come out against it? Does anyone remember why or have a link to the post that covered it?

Thanks.

[shoelace414]

1. It's the modern day poll tax

it erects barriers to voting.

[blondeatlast]

7. Yep; they just enacted this in AZ.

They won't be asking in my neighborhood, but down in south Phoenix, I guarantee they will pull this.

[Lerkfish]

2. it requires restrictive ID methods that form a barrier to voting...

like "no child left behind" its a trojan horse against minorities.

[napi21]

3. You used to be able to use many different types of ID here in Ga.

This new act requires that you use ONLY a State issued ID. On top of that change, the State closed lots of it's DMV offices and it's more difficult to get to the ones that are still open.

The biggest complaint is that many poor people don't drive and have no way to get to the DMV office to get a State issued ID card, and of course it costs $20 to get one!

[emcguffie]

4. Any extra requirements for ID are a hardship --

-- for many minorities. Harder to get away from work, harder to get around to take care of business, harder to find someone to watch your kids....

The Repubs were opposed forever to Motor-Voter registration because higher voter registration is always better for Dems. So anything they can do to reduce registration benefits them.

Many Native Americans do not have photo ID, for instance. Either they don't have or need a driver's license, or where they live it isn't required. So when elections officials, such as in Florida, decide suddenly to require extra ID, many Native Americans do not get to vote. So what, you cry foul after you've not been allowed to vote, it doesn't change anything, does it? You still lose your vote. And the wrong person wins.

It's always the same thing. Any chore in life is harder for poorer people, who are working two or three jobs, or who are ill, or don't have transportation. And on and on and on....

[Bridget Burke]

5. In Clinton's words....

"All over America there are efforts to restrict access to the vote under the guise of preventing voter fraud. And I say guise — look at this Georgia bill, all the ID you've got to produce to register to vote," Clinton said at the opening session of the National Association of Black Journalists convention at the downtown Hyatt Regency hotel.

Clinton also called on Congress and the Bush administration to support continuation of those portions of the Voting Rights Act that will otherwise expire in 2007, and said he thought voting rights should be extended to those who have been convicted of a crime and served their sentence.

www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/shared/news/nation/stories/08/04NABJ_CLINTON.html

Why should it become harder for people to vote? What problem would this solve?

[neuvocat]

6. Thanks everyone.

:)

[GracieM]

8. Can't even remember if they checked my ID

Voted in Ohio. Can't remember what I had to do. I actually wouldn't mind a photo ID to vote, but it should be free.

[blondeatlast]

9. My good friend's brother, born and raised in the US,

was asked for ID in November--the SAME TIME AZ was voting on requiring ID. I might add here that he is Latino with no discernible accent whatsoever (except maybe a touch Texan).

They removed the poll worker immediately when he complained, but there was no doubt in my mind (or anyone who knows the area) why that was done.

It's completely illegal, and won't survive a Constitutional challenge (well, with the SCOTUS we could get, I take that back).

[blue sky at night]

10. I agree completely with the notion...

that requiring a State ID makes life harder, and it is illegal, and it is BS. But I have to ask, doesn't living under Fascism make life harder? We need to do all we can to get people to the polls next cycle and if it means getting them a state id first, or any other record so they can vote, then we must do it. Lets get them ready now by spreading the word to make folks aware. Everyone must need some form of ID once in while anyway, HUH?