Talk of the Nation held a discussion yesterday by proponents and opponents of voter ID laws, now passed and proposed in several states, Voter ID Debate Ramping Up Again For 2012 <listen>
Most of the hour is devoted to a discussion/debate on the merits of voter ID. The main arguments are presented from both sides. We oppose voter ID. We believe that the case for significant individual voter fraud has not been made, (was not successfully made on this show), that in fact there is little individual voter fraud, and that many would be disenfranchised by voter ID. Yet, it is appropriate that the debate continue, with more details than can be covered in a half-hour segment.
In the last minutes of the debate, everyone agreed that absentee ballot fraud is significant and frequent, much more extensive than individual voter fraud. That is the primary reason we oppose any form of increased mail-in voting, including no-excuse absentee voting. Absentee voting risks also deserve an extended debate.
Should Connecticut Matter in Presidential Elections?
Connecticut is considering House Bill 6331, an act concerning agreement among states to elect the President of the United States by National Popular Vote. If passed, Connecticut voters could start to actually take part in Presidential elections. Since the overwhelming amount of money and candidate attention is focused on swing states, we don’t have a 50 state election approach to national elections—more like a 1/3 approach! Shouldn’t ALL fifty states matter?
If you are a Connecticut voter and think you should have a say in who your President is, sign the Demand Progress petition here or go to this page for more information: http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/ct_npv/?akid=CTVotersCount
We need to make sure the National Popular Vote bill is called for a vote before the 2011 Legislative Session ends on June 8th. The Star Tribute reports that “our current system relegates two-thirds of American voters to irrelevancy when electing the president.” Make Connecticut count by signing our petition now.
The National Popular Vote bill has already been enacted into law by Hawaii, New Jersey, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington State, Vermont, California, Louisiana and District of Columbia. If we do not act now, we can face another outcome like the presidential election of 2000.
Join the movement now by signing our petition and we will automatically email Connecticut lawmakers in your name:
http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/ct_npv/?akid=CTVotersCount
@demand,
While there are many good reasons for and against the National Popular Vote Compact, you ignore the serious election integrity issues which make it dangerous to democracy.
In summary, the NPV would force fit on an electoral accounting system, magnifying the flaws and risks that are already there:
– there is no official national popular vote number available in time for states to determine their electoral votes
– there is not recount possible for the national popular vote given the limitations/restrictions of current federal law
– the national popular vote opens up errors and skulduggery in every state not just swing states
– before there is a national popular vote we need to fix the 12th amendment and the Electoral Accounting Act.
For more, see our testimony: https://www.ctvoterscount.org/CTVCdata/11/03/NPVTestimony2011.pdf
Finally, the advantage you claim for the NPV is questionable:
– CT Voters don’t need more TV attack adds, phone calls, and redundant talking point appearances in our state to determine who to vote for
– The benefits of more campaign spending generally go to the same media moguls and campaign consultants, no matter where they are applied
– Like all states we have influence on the winner. Our EC votes count just like our NPV votes would if the system were set up to support an NPV
– It is also speculative were funds and candidates would go if we had a NPV. Just as likely they would go to big population areas as anywhere else.