my take – the voter id issue needs to be addressed . the consistent horsing around on it is getting to be ridiculous .
We as voters deserve to have consistent voting laws . We also deserve to have voting laws that make sense , that act to preserve people ‘ s rights , and act to prevent fraud . politicians , and in this case , state legislators , will mess around , until pressure is brought to bear …
Also , on the conservative side , the potential of an initiative or referendum to implement a conservative – oriented voting bill , or even constitutional amendment , has to be brought to bear , in order to get the legislature ‘ s attention , in order that they will get off their butts , and pass something more to our liking …
AND
Contrary to popular belief , voter fraud is real , and is a problem . a serious problem , no , not now . but it is a problem that needs to be addressed . and not in a politically correct fashion ! …
Ohio House may again debate divisive voter photo ID issue
Robert Higgs, The Plain Dealer [01312013]
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Legislation to require voters to show a photo ID at
polling places, a divisive issue leading up to the 2012 election in Ohio
and across the nation, appears ready to make a return appearance in the
Ohio House.
Rep. Mike Dovilla, chair of the House Policy and Legislative Oversight
Committee, says there is interest among House Republicans for such
legislation. He doubts he will sponsor it, but acknowledged it likely
would go through his committee.
“I suspect that there remains interest in a bill of that nature,”
Dovilla, a Berea Republican, said Wednesday. “We think there is broad
support in the public.”
Similar legislation moved through the House in 2011 . It required
voters show a photo identification at polling places to verify their identity. The acceptable forms of ID were driver’s licenses , state
issued ID cards, passports and military identification cards.
In Ohio, as in other states where the issue was debated, supporters
touted the laws to ensure voting integrity and thwart voter fraud.
Opponents made equally passionate cries of voter suppression.
Ultimately, the photo ID requirement was removed last year to avoid a state referendum.
Republicans hold strong majorities in both the Ohio House and Senate and
could push through legislation now. But if it is reintroduced, expect
hot debate.
“I think the broad approach toward election reform is that you want a
system where there’s the greatest possible integrity,” Dovilla said.
“There’s nary a thing in society that you can do where you don’t need to
show ID of some sort.”
Ensuring integrity of the ballot and creating a barrier to voter fraud
is important, he said. “The onus, I think, is on those who oppose this.”
Democrats are quick to counter. Requiring people to have an official ID
creates a burden that can keep some, particularly poorer voters, from
being able to vote, they say. They liken it to a tax on voting.
“We would have very serious concerns about such a proposal,” said Rep.
Kathleen Clyde a Kent Democrat and, a member of Policy and Legislative
Oversight Committee.
“An ID requirement is kind of a veiled way of having a poll tax, where
you’re requiring people to pay to have a photo ID,” Clyde said. Getting
a state-approved ID could be a financial and logistical problem for the
poor if they have to pay for documents needed to get an ID and have to
find transportation to proper offices.”
Dovilla suggested that the ID could be free for those found to be
indigent. “We want to make sure people have access to this.”
Clyde counters that people should not have to prove they are poor to be
able to vote. “Is that the process we want for our elections?”
Rep. Teresa Fedor, a Toledo Democrat, disputed the ballot integrity issue.
“There’s no outrageous amount of fraud,” she said. “It’s just a
ginned-up issue.
“You just get tired of beating back these non issues.”
Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted did not support the photo ID
requirement in the 2011 bill. His spokesman said Wednesday that Husted
would not comment on the issue now until specific legislation is
introduced.
Dovilla expects that likely would be soon.
“Election bills tend to move in the first year of a two-year session
like this,” he said. “You don’t want to get into the guts of the
election cycle and then have people from either side saying you’re
trying to move the goalposts.”