“HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2002 vs. HR 4844

[jody]

The HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2002 included requirements for "Verification of voter registration information", see 42 USC 15483 below.

QUOTE
§ 15483. Computerized statewide voter registration list requirements and requirements for voters who register by mail
(a) Computerized statewide voter registration list requirements
* * * * * * * * * * * *
(5) Verification of voter registration information
(A) Requiring provision of certain information by applicants

(i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), notwithstanding any other provision of law, an application for voter registration for an election for Federal office may not be accepted or processed by a State unless the application includes—

(I) in the case of an applicant who has been issued a current and valid driver’s license, the applicant’s driver’s license number; or

(II) in the case of any other applicant (other than an applicant to whom clause (ii) applies), the last 4 digits of the applicant’s social security number.

(ii) Special rule for applicants without driver’s license or social security number If an applicant for voter registration for an election for Federal office has not been issued a current and valid driver’s license or a social security number, the State shall assign the applicant a number which will serve to identify the applicant for voter registration purposes. To the extent that the State has a computerized list in effect under this subsection and the list assigns unique identifying numbers to registrants, the number assigned under this clause shall be the unique identifying number assigned under the list.
UNQUOTE

HR 4844 amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002, specifically 42 U.S.C. 15483(b) by striking paragraphs (1) through (3) and replacing (3) as given below but it leaves unchanged 42 U.S.C. 15483(a) quoted above.

QUOTE
`(3) SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR IDENTIFICATIONS- For purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2)--
`(A) an identification is `government-issued' if it is issued by the Federal Government or by the government of a State; and
`(B) an identification is one for which an individual was required to provide proof of United States citizenship as a condition for issuance if the identification displays an official marking or other indication that the individual is a United States citizen.'.
UNQUOTE

QUESTION: It appears the “HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2002” only required a driver’s license or social security number to become a registered voter but HR 4844 adds a more stringent requirement to prove United States citizenship to actually vote. That means requirements to vote or more strigent than requirements to register to vote.

Have I missed something when comparing the “HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2002” with HR 4844?

[OnTheOtherHand]

1. HAVA doesn't even strictly require a SS#

(see the "special rule" you quoted)

Yes, 4844 imposes requirements for voting that are more stringent than HAVA's registration requirements. That could help to explain why HAVA passed with bipartisan support, but the vote on 4844 was largely along party lines.

[jody]

2. Thanks! I'm going to write my two senators immediately and ask them

to vote against HR4844 because it imposes more stringent requirements to vote than it does to register to vote.

Again thanks and have a great day. :hi:

[OnTheOtherHand]

3. I bet a few jaws are dropping right now

I think you've come to the right conclusion. And you provoked some lively conversation along the way (and IMHO took some buckshot in the backside).

I have no idea whether the Senate will even consider this bill, but there's no time like the present. The letters will be even more effective coming from someone who isn't opposed to IDs in principle.

[jody]

4. "buckshot"? No, they were just kids having fun with an adult. n/a

[OnTheOtherHand]

5. first impressions can deceive

Things would go better around here if folks generally were in less of a hurry to pigeonhole each other.