Failed, for now, to stop need to prove citizeship to vote.

[Desertdog]

AZ: Failed, for now, to stop need to prove citizeship to vote.

Judge denies request to temporarily block element of Prop. 200
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5054456


A federal judge on Monday rejected a request to temporarily prevent Arizona election officials from requiring that federal mail-in voter registration forms be accompanied by additional proof of citizenship.


Lawyers for advocacy groups that made the request said they will considering appealing the decision and continue to challenge the voting provisions of Proposition 200, a voter-approved law that denied some government benefits to illegal immigrants.

The law also required would-be voters to submit proof of citizenship when registering and proof of identity when casting ballots at polling places.

Tribal, Hispanic and other groups had argued the federal government has mandated use of the mail-in voter registration forms as-is and that requiring additional documentation of citizenship hinders the rights of voters.

Attorneys for the state argued that Arizona is allowed to verify the eligibility of people registering to vote and that the policy debate over Proposition 200 is over.

U.S. District Judge Roslyn Silver said the state's proof of citizenship requirement doesn't conflict with the federal law that governs the registration forms.

"Determining whether an individual is a United States citizen is of paramount importance when determining his or her eligibility to vote," the judge wrote.

Daniel Ortega, an attorney for the advocacy groups, said he will meet with his clients to determine whether they will file an appeal.

Andrea Esquer, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Attorney General's Office, which is defending the law, said state lawyers were pleased with the decision.

While Proposition 200 was approved in 2004, the ID rules were cleared by federal officials in October and were first used in local elections in March.

Supporters said the requirement would safeguard the election system by preventing non-citizens from casting ballots, while opponents say the law will do nothing to stop fraud.

 

[Leatherneck]

Y'know, when I retired from the Marine Corps in 1985 and went to vote locally, in person, for the first time, I remember being amazed that voters didn't have to show any proof they were who they said they were. It was just puzzling.

Who can object to having to flash a valid ID at the polls? No further record of that ID is made, it just briefly helps to establish your identity.

TC

 

[ArmedBear]

Now if we can only pass a provision to deport those who try to vote fraudulently, using a catapult...

 

[1 old 0311]

Come on guys. If it wasn't for the illegals, the dead, and ex cons, who would vote Democrat

Kevin

 

[Thefabulousfink]

Just remember: vote early, vote often.

Or as one Afgani man said, "I love democracy, I vote 5 times."






Voter fraud is getting nasty, it is how the Dems managed to steal the WA Governor race. After 2 recounts for the Rep candidate, the Dems demanded that previously rejected ballots be counted, BUT ONLY FOR KING COUNTY.

 

[espanola]

I think it's a shame that ID isn't required--you have to show ID to write a check, cash a check, buy ammo, booze, guns, etc. I would think the right to vote should be valued and protected more than those items...
But, that would be discriminatory against those who are undoumented, or too stupid to bring id, or too dumb to properly read a ballot!

 

[Zen21Tao]

Come on guys. If it wasn't for the illegals, the dead, and ex cons, who would vote Democrat

Well, they always have college professors, the press, and unemployed welfare queens to fall back on.

Personally I think that citizenship should just be the beginning. People should have to pass a compatency test and demonstate knowldege on the issues to vote.

 

[Vex]

I'm with espanola on this one.... show ID to vote. Why would we want illegal aliens voting for whomever has their best interests in mind?

 

[ArmedBear]

More than that, many people go through a lot to BECOME citizens (like my parents, incidentally).

They know better than anyone that the right to vote is not to be squandered, or diminished.

 

[longeyes]

What's amazing, to me, is that such arrant nonsense as this challenge was ever taken seriously.

Of course it is only a matter of time before some judge rules that citizenship's not required for voting. There's already a pejorative term ready: Citizenism.

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

In my state, Missouri, the Republican controlled House passed a law saying you have to show a picture ID issued by the gov to vote. The Dems got very mad at that, including one I know working on the Claire McCaskill campaign against Jim Talent (Senate race).

The guy I know said, "Well, we need everyone who can vote to be able to get out there. Lots of folks in the ghettoes don't have DLs, and wouldn't be eligible, also lots of older people."

I responded, "Well, you could issue picture ID for social services, atleast the way I understand the law."

"That ain't a bad idea," he remarked.

"Of course all the illegals you guys want to vote in this election wouldn't be eligible though."

"Well, umm, I... illegals wouldn't be voting anyway. I mean we're the Democratic party. I mean, we don't do voter fraud."

"I just about fell out of my chair laughing." I said, "Well, you didn't cheat in New Mexico during either of the last two elections with illegals being able to vote. And you didn't commit fraud during the ccw public referendum by keeping polls in St. Louis open about 5 hours longer than in rural and small town precincts. And, you didn't commit voter fraud in the 60s with Kenne_"

"Shut up."

 

[armedandsafe]

Ah, yes: Pristine Christine, the King County Governor. :banghead:

Pops