|
|
S.E. Wood Identifying voters seems
Those of you who have followed these columns
know that I have commented previously about how fortunate we
are that Tennessee voting laws are among the most definitive
in the nation. It is my understanding that Tennessee is one of
only three states still requiring positive voter identification
and proof of residence before voting. In addition to Florida, Missouri and New Mexico,
Wisconsin was singled out in the last presidential election for
non-resident voting, illegal voting by convicted felons, Marquette
University students who bragged about voting in more than one
polling place, and other examples of voter fraud. In an effort to curb such irregularities in
future elections, Republican Gov. Scott McCallum proposed a plan
to require voters to show a photo ID before being authorized
to cast their vote. Pretty straightforward don't you think? One
person, one vote -- American tradition and all that. But no! Wisconsin Democrats and leaders of
the black community say that requiring identification will disenfranchise
minority and low-income residents. "We see no reason for
this type of nonsense," said Barbara White, chairwoman of
the African-American Coalition for Empowerment. The coalition and other groups, including
the Milwaukee chapter of 100 Black Men, are drafting a letter
asking legislators to strip McCallum's photo ID requirement from
the currently proposed budget. "It will create a hardship
on the poor and people of color because many of them don't have
a photo ID," said White. State Democrat Chairwoman Terri Spring said
requiring every voter to show a photo ID would be an obstacle
for seniors. Spring said, "I just look at that as putting
up roadblocks ... It's still a democracy, and we need to encourage
people to get out there and vote!" Legally, or illegally,
one would presume. Kevin J. Kennedy, executive director of the state elections board, said McCallum's proposal is not workable. "It will create more problems at the
polling place, and would lead to long lines of voters frustrated
by the wait." Wouldn't you think a few moments of "frustration" at the polling place is a mighty small price to pay to assure the integrity of a sacred privilege that thousands of our fellow Americans have fought and died for? |