Voting and Purple Fingers

[maconmagnolia]

I'm a huge supporter of voter ID laws. Even if voter fraud is a bit blown out of proportion, it still does happen and is incredibly unfair. However, I don't think that a purple finger is necessary. Photo ID is sufficient.

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by maconmagnolia

I'm a huge supporter of voter ID laws. Even if voter fraud is a bit blown out of proportion, it still does happen and is incredibly unfair. However, I don't think that a purple finger is necessary. Photo ID is sufficient.

This.

[summer_gphib]

Originally Posted by maconmagnolia

I'm a huge supporter of voter ID laws. Even if voter fraud is a bit blown out of proportion, it still does happen and is incredibly unfair. However, I don't think that a purple finger is necessary. Photo ID is sufficient.

100% agree.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by maconmagnolia

I'm a huge supporter of voter ID laws. Even if voter fraud is a bit blown out of proportion, it still does happen and is incredibly unfair. However, I don't think that a purple finger is necessary. Photo ID is sufficient.

I can understand the sentiment, but I do wonder: If high school students can fairly easily get fake IDs to buy alcohol, then I suspect that anyone who really wants to commit voter fraud won't be stopped by a voter ID requirement. Photo ID requirements may foster greater confidence in the integrity of the system -- which may be a sufficient good in and of itself -- but I'd be interested to see data concerning whether they appreciably decrease fraud. My guess is that increased technological capabilities -- such as the ability to regularly compare databases of voter rolls, drivers licenses, death certificates, etc. -- are much more effective tools for reducing fraud.

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I can understand the sentiment, but I do wonder: If high school students can fairly easily get fake IDs to buy alcohol, then I suspect that anyone who really wants to commit voter fraud won't be stopped by a voter ID requirement. Photo ID requirements may foster greater confidence in the integrity of the system -- which may be a sufficient good in and of itself -- but I'd be interested to see data concerning whether they appreciably decrease fraud. My guess is that increased technological capabilities -- such as the ability to regularly compare databases of voter rolls, drivers licenses, death certificates, etc. -- are much more effective tools for reducing fraud.

I totally see what you're saying here, but I would guess (hunch) that most of the fake ID's high school students are carrying these days are their older sibling (or someone they know)'s ID that looks like them but isn't actually them. Fake ID's aren't like what they were (get at a flea market!) when I was in HS 25 years ago - because of precautions with holograms, etc... This sort of ID swapping couldn't happen in a voting situation because once it was used...it was used...regardless of who did it.