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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated
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From: Brumar897/14/2011 1:45:28 PM
9 Recommendations  Read Replies (1) of 793958
 
Voter photo I.D. passes — in Rhode Island

July 13, 2011 by Don Surber
From the Providence Journal:

When a voter ID bill passed in Rhode Island last week, longtime opponents were stunned. How could this happen in one of the country’s most Democratic and liberal states? Why did Democratic leaders and black legislators support it? And why did Governor Chafee sign it?

Some say black politicians were trying to protect themselves from Hispanics’ growing political power — two longtime black legislators were defeated by Hispanics in the 2010 elections. Some cite illegal immigration as a driving force. Some say voter ID is simply essential.

Whatever the reason, people are still seething a week later. That includes many within the minority community, who chide Chafee for saying he was compelled by concerns from the “minority community” about voter fraud.

That’s the cynical, all-politics-all-the-time look at it.

The same newspaper’s editorial page on April 12, made the best argument for photo ID:

In a representative democracy, voting is sacred. It is how citizens can help change their government peacefully when they think it ceases to serve their interests and values. When the vote is corrupted by fraud, the legitimacy of the entire system is undermined.

That’s why Rhode Island should require that voters produce a photo ID at the polls.

“Voting should be at least as secure as renting a car, getting a library card or any of the other tasks that routinely require an ID,” said Secretary of State Ralph Mollis, who has long supported the reform but has failed to persuade fellow Democrats to pass it in both houses of the General Assembly.

If you have to show a photo ID to get a pack of Newports, why not have to show a photo ID to vote in Newport?

blogs.dailymail.com
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