We've always had to show ID to vote in my state.

[Courtesy Flush]

I don't know if that keeps anyone from voting, but I do know this: Any argument that supports voter ID also conveniently evades the timing of these laws. You want voters to show ID? Fine. Pass a law, and have it go into effect at the midterms, two years from now. Don't pull some 12th hour trick as a big election is looming.

Any new voter requirements should include a reasonable time period for implementation, and should never apply to an impending election.

[formercia]

1. It's against the Law to ask for Voter ID in Maine

..and Voter Fraud isn't a problem.

[2pooped2pop]

2. absolutely correct

the way it is now is just an attempt to prevent people they don't want to vote, from voting.

[brewens]

3. It's all the other tricks that are the dead giveaway. Limiting early voting and restrictions

on voter registration drives in some states. They can't claim fraud is the reason for that. But you'll be hard pressed to find Republicans that object to any of that. They want to win any way they can.

I honestly can't say I'd be up in arms if we had some way to prevent uneducated, angry white trash racists from voting. But I don't think blocking a third of all Republicans would fly!

[unblock]

4. but what counts as "id"? often a utility bill will do.

[uponit7771]

8. +1

[NNN0LHI]

5. You always needed a photo ID to vote in your state?

What is your state?

Don

[Courtesy Flush]

9. Louisiana

And no. I've never asked what forms of ID they accept. But I always show my drivers license.

[NNN0LHI]

10. So the answer is you don't know if you were always required to show a photo ID to vote?

Is that correct?

Don

[ann---]

13. Voter ID state requirements....see chart at this link

http://www.ncsl.org/legislatures-elections/elections/voter-id.aspx

[Courtesy Flush]

14. That is correct. What's your point?

I'm not saying it was like this forever. Not sure what you're getting at. I'm saying that new laws should not be dropped in people's laps every time Republicans are afraid they're going to lose an election.

[JaneQPublic]

6. Here in Maryland...

...they issue you a voter card when you register. It doesn't have a photo, but when you show up to vote, they have a tested, tried, and true method of making sure you are who you say you are: They ask you your birthday. Genius!

The only voter fraud I've ever heard about in our state was perpetrated by the re-election team of our former Republican Governor (Bob Ehrlich), who distributed fliers in heavily African-American communities (i.e., Dem) misinforming them about when Election Day was (they said the day after the real date).

[uponit7771]

7. What GOP is doing is treason

[ann---]

11. Not PHOTO identification

we show our voter registration card in PA - that's it. They can tell by your signature if you're the same person who signed the book last time. Utility bills might be accepted as ID ONLY IF ASKED FOR IT - which I have never had happen to me.

[BumRushDaShow]

17. And that was usually just the very 1st time voting in your division

at least that has been the case here in Philly. They verify name and signature and you get assigned a voter number across several log records (signature book, log sheet, index card record).

[Sugarcoated]

18. I live in Montgomery County

just outside of Philly, and the only times I've ever had to show any kind of ID was the very first time I voted in PA 22 years ago, and for a local race this year because of the Repubullies cheating/voter suppression this year.

[malaise]

12. We have voter IDs as well but we receive a national ID

and they are available in every constituency - updates are available for the voter ID list every six months

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. But your system is not meant to supress votes

In the us the goal is to ahem...discourage voting from certain groups.

Mexico has a similar national ID. Of course there are many creative ways to change voting behavior. I wonder if the GOP is plain out unimaginative.

[Tracer]

16. We show no ID in MA.

We just walk up to our precinct table, state our name and address and the person flips through a book until she/he finds our name and then pencils a check mark next to it.

Easy as pie.

[Sugarcoated]

19. Thats how it used to be here in PA

[Ruby the Liberal]

20. This looks like a good place for a 13 second admission of intent.

The PA Speaker of the House (R-Corrupt):

[Sugarcoated]

21. It really takes your breath away, the arrogance

They cheat and lie with abandon.