The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Bornieo: Fully Loaded

COming in late...

So you don't have to show ID to vote? I always have... from what I remember. Don't they need to check your address etc? So I can go anywhere and "be" someone else, give an address of someone I know and vote in thier place? Hmmmm... Am I an idiot or does that sound odd?

In California, you are only required to show photo ID the first time you vote if you regisetered by mail (that would be the first time after you register in California...not the first time per election. No ID required if you're voting more than once per election ).

You are required to sign the registration book.

The reasons it is like this are varried, but the three most used arguments are, A) Requiring photo id constitutes a de-facto poll tax as it costs money to get said photo id, B) requiring id would force a voter to reveal private information in what's supposed to be a secret ballot, C) Voter intimidation in that people who may be in a situation where getting an valid photo ID is difficult would be reluctant to jump through the hoops to vote.

Note, I don't vouch for the validity of any of these clamis, just laying out the arguments that are generally used.