In actual fact there were 15 documented cases of voter fraud in the last election, none of which would have been prevented by the Wisconsin version of the ALEC Voter ID bill (had it been enacted). 15:2,700,000 is roughly .0005555555555555556%.

27,000 fraudulent votes is an improbability based on existing data.

Good point Bren. On a related note every person who sped during the course of the last year received a ticket for speeding every time that they sped.

it wasn't 1% that he stated it was .001%. Which is still a bit high as Bren has stated. Stone rattled of a list of 5 or 6 names, only one of which he added the tag of convicted, the other four he used the term prosecuted.

@cud1555 from 2002-2007 86 cases of voter fraud cases led to convictions out of 300 million votes cast over that period, but that requires strict laws to stop because it is so rampant even though it is a constitutional right to vote. In 2010 there were 8,775 firearm related deaths, but we need less regulation because it is a constitutional right carry a firearm. Something doesn't add up to me.

Rather presumptuous to think that I support less regulation in firearms however using your own logic, it was illegal for Radcliffe Haughton to posess a firearm however we should have had the police place one in his mailbox for him.

How exactly would a case of voter fraud be documented? Without voter ID laws, there is absolutely no way of determining if someone is casting a vote under a false name. As long as a voter registration is on the books, virtually anyone can vote under the name listed on that registration, and by law cannot be questioned even if the poll worker suspects that the voter isn't who they claim to be.

I just think it is crazy to be worried about the one, that has not been proven to be a problem, rather than the other that most definitely is a problem. We have wasted a hugh amount of time and tax payer money on a non issue. Multiple investigations and only 86 convictions in a 5 year period. Meanwhile people are literally dying because we refuse to put any type of regulation on gun sales over the internet or at gun shows. It is a point about the priorities of our state representatives and their (ALEC) masters they serve. It is just too bad so many people commenting on Patch refuse to see what is really going on in regards to how and why laws are being passed and who is writing them. Jeff Stone did not write the voter id law, a lawyer from ALEC did. Orwell has been rolling in his grave and I need some Victory Gin.

http://alecexposed.org/w/images/d/d9/7G16-VOTER_ID_ACT_Exposed.pdf

@CowDung, show me any instance where that is happening. Is it really worth the chance of being charged a felony to cast one more vote? That just doesn't make sense to me. Anyone casting a vote can be challenged and that person would have to vote by provisional ballot, which most of the time goes uncounted. The fact is that the type of voter fraud that has been claimed by the right is about as likely as being struck by lightning.

How are you so sure that it's a non-issue? As I stated above, without voter ID laws, it is impossible to detect someone voting under a false name. It's no wonder that there haven't been any prosecutions.

For many years, Wisconsin had very lax voter registration laws that didn't do a decent job of verifying identity of those registering to vote. All you needed was an accomplice to 'vouch' that you are who you claim you are.

The only way to do such a thing is by issuing a national voter id card when you register to vote that is sent to a new voter by mail if registered out of the clerks office or polling place. For new registrations at polling places, issue the card right there just like at the DMV. For absentees, send people to verify who they are then send them a card. Have an identification number on the card that stays with the voter no matter where they vote that is entered in the books at the poll or on the absentee ballot.

Why do we need national voting cards? Rather than forcing everyone to re-register and issue new ID cards, it seems a lot quicker and easier to allow the use of the government issued photo IDs that are already in use, with registrations already on the books, doesn't it?

but I thought you said there were all kinds of false registrations? The problem with voting and why "fraud" may happen in my opinion is because the laws are written on a state by state basis. Make it easy and pass federal laws laying out what the rules are for the states to follow. We still require 18 year olds to register for the draft, have them register to vote at the same time and issue them a voter id number. then allow them to vote where ever they live simply by providing proof of residency and that number. Perhaps a computer system that has a database of all the registrations that you would type that number into and it would print out you ballot based on your address allowing you to vote at any polling place. They would, also, then never have to register every time they move.

With voter ID requirements, a false registration cannot be used without an ID that matches it and the person voting. The use of voter ID will keep elections fair--one vote per person. While false registrations will remain on the books, they will no longer be able to be used for voting.

I thought we only registered males for the draft. Using draft registrations will keep women off the voter rolls.

That's not really what I am saying. I am saying similar to the draft requirement, but require all citizens at 18 to register. It would also open more options for voting. Similar to what Oregon does now, one could print their ballot at home and mail it in.

Not sure that it is worth the extra cost and complexity, though I would agree that having everyone re-register to vote would certainly improve the integrity of the voter registrations.

I don't see how you wouldn't run into the same opposition that is arguing against the current voter ID laws, though. Getting 18 year olds registered isn't the problem, it's the older people that may not have access to birth certificates and the like.

the proposal now carries an extra cost and complexity. don't get your point there.

What are the extra costs? The current way includes the price of an ID for those that don't already have one. Your proposal would be the price of an ID for everyone...

...in addition, your way would require the development of a new national voter database. Current laws proposed use existing voter rolls.

Lance Armstrong never tested positive for using performance enhancing substances yet apparently he never won the tour du France. There are many accounts that he was doping but in truth, he didn't test dirty. This may mean that despite numerous accounts he never cheated although he has now been judged guilty either way. Does this mean that we should stop testing at all, or not make an effort to catch the Next cheater?

@CowDung, so if it costs money it isn't worth fixing your imaginary problem? Works for me, now we can get back to working on the real problems our state faces.

No Robert, that isn't what I am saying at all. What I am saying is that we can fix the problem for a lot less money than what you have proposed. I have no issue with your proposal from the standpoint of insuring fair elections, but I believe that the similar results could be realized for a lot less money.

Hawaii does not require a photo ID. It does allow you to register to vote when you are applying for your driver's license. I lived there for 15 years and voted at least 12 times and never had to show ID.

You are right, voter fraud does exist, but voter id doesn't fix the problem. http://www.salon.com/2011/09/27/votinghack/

Regarding Alzheimer's. You are painting with a broad brush. As a Republican, you should be more sensitive. Liberals treated Reagan's Alzheimer's with sensitivity and allowed him to finish his term. My guess is that he voted after he left the Presidency.

If you believe it does not you are one of the offenders.
#faultylogic

If the debate had been promoted to anyone but lefty losers I would have went. It seams the lefty media won't report on something until after it happens. No upcoming events just the garbage they deem important.

Considering that Ward wasn't being truthful in his statement about voter ID, I'm guessing he was telling the audience what they wanted to hear while the other candidates were actually being truthful...

Congratulations Spate (if that is your name), you are the first conservative who actually commented using a real name!

Why is it that you right wing guys all hide behind fake names or initials? Are you really folks who live here in Greendale or are you paid right wing trolls?

Keith- Fake names? I am a conservative in Greendale. I was in Madison three times for the ACT 10 rallies, with the lefty losers spitting at me yelling profanities at my kids, Do you really think I want any of you f---ing lunatics looking me up and visiting me at my home? I do not want to use the castle law in my defense and waste the precious metal called lead on lefty losers. Why don't you use your full name? I would love to drive past your house at midnight on election night honking my horn with glee after the R.R. victory.

This comment about says it all about the right wing POV: "utterly worthless large sections of the minority population..." My 78 year old WHITE grandmother does NOT have a photo ID. She is neither worthless or a minority, but your racist viewpoint has been noted.

I thought women were considered to be a 'minority' as they are a 'protected class', are they not?

She lives 1,200 miles away. And do you know where her 78 year old birth certificate is? We need that, or have to pay for a new one get a photo ID. That is a "poll tax" in my book.

Does she have an expired drivers license and a social security number?