Proof puke Voter ID plan disenfranchizes seniors and minorities

[sybylla]

from an editorial from the LaCrosse Tribune
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2005/06/16/opinion/00edit16.txt

<snip>
Here's what's new about the issue: A study of Department of Transportation records by researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has revealed that minorities and senior citizens lack drivers licenses at much higher rates than white people between ages 18 and 65.

For instance, 78 percent of black males between the ages of 18 and 24 did not have drivers licenses. For black males of any age, that number was 55 percent. That percentage was less for Hispanic males and females, but still more than 50 percent.

The study also found that 177,399 Wisconsin residents 65 and older did not have either a drivers license or a state ID, compared with 98,247 people between 35 and 64 who do not have either form of identification. What that should tell us is that, while the relative numbers of people without adequate identification are small compared with the total number of potential voters, we would still need an extraordinary effort to have a photo ID program that did not prevent anyone from voting.

We think such an effort would be possible. Extra efforts could be made to have mobile teams offering ID cards at senior centers and other areas where the people without IDs congregate.
<snip>

I thought these numbers might come in handy when aruing the pitfalls of voter ID with those rabid puke co-workers and neighbors.

If I have time, I may also send a letter to my puke legislators asking them how they plan to address this in their next voter ID bill, as suggested by the LaCrosse Tribune.

on edit: formatting

[ewagner]

1. Excellent

Saved and noted.....

thanks for posting this :hi:

oh yes,.,,,,,add a :kick:

[HockeyMom]

2. People who live in Big Cities

I was born and raised in Manhattan. I didn't drive and didn't have a license until I moved to the suburbs. Why? There is no need to have a car or driver's license in the City.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. Not to worry.

The Federal Identification Card will take care of that. FIC card with its fingerprint/iris scan identification markers recorded on a magnetic strip, along with medical and financial information so that everyone can know all kinds of things about you. Even your voting history.

Welcome to the future.

[MessiahRp]

4. Why don't we just go to the thumbprint

like in Back to the Future II?

We can use that to pay through our bank accounts and everything! :)

Rp

[RevCheesehead]

6. Because the next time you're mugged, they'll chop off your thumb. n/t

[MessiahRp]

8. I was being sarcastic. :)

Rp

[RevCheesehead]

9. s'OK.

Next time, I'll add one of these: ;)

(I was, too.)

[MessiahRp]

10. I think that's what they did in Demolition Man

:)

But I have a weird fondness with Back to the Future II so the fondness led the reference.

Voter ID is up again for a third veto in WI isn't it?

Rp

[RevCheesehead]

11. My suggestion to Gov. Doyle:

When he signs the veto, add "what part of VETO don't you understand?"

[BrainRants]

12. Insanity: Doing the same thing over & over, expecting different results.

Stupidity applies also, gees the Wi Repugs are dumbasses.

[gizmo1979]

5. They just passed the bill

for the 3rd frigging time.Unbelievable!

[Massacure]

7. Just have a ID card that is seperate from a driver's license.

You could fill out a form and get your photo taken at say any local school or courthouse plus hand the forms in there.

[sybylla]

13. If it costs taxpayers money, it's a poll tax and precludes the poor

And unless you made your photo-id program mobile and took it to nursing homes, assisted living housing and the like, you're still disenfranchizing seniors.

It's a cost and an inconvenience that will prevent people from voting and IMHO it's just plain wrong. Especially since there is very little evidence of fraudulent voting in the previous elections and several people who voted more than once are being charged as criminals. Isn't that a better way to go?

Why do we always have to punish the law abiding because of a few bad eggs when we can just enforce the friggin law?

[shoelace414]

14. it's not only the cost of getting a Drivers licence/state ID

if you don't drive, try to get to the local DMV, it's not just "run over there".. you have to take a bus or three