Purging Voter Rolls in Florida - Daily Show Analysis

[Husker Mort]

A comedic take on a possibly comedic series of legislative acts in Florida:

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Purge Overkill
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

[Husker Mort]

I guess this doesn't worry anybody. I am far from a conspiracy theorist, but put together, the Voter ID requirement, shortened voting window, discontinuation of Sunday voting, and 48-hour registration requirement seem pretty clearly indicative of voter suppression.

At the very least, it is the antonym of increased participation.

[Warhorse]

I guess this doesn't worry anybody. I am far from a conspiracy theorist, but put together, the Voter ID requirement, shortened voting window, discontinuation of Sunday voting, and 48-hour registration requirement seem pretty clearly indicative of voter suppression.

At the very least, it is the antonym of increased participation.

Agreed. What is the end game of attempting to shrink the electorate (or at least selected portions of it)? I think everyone knows but many will refuse to admit it.

[twokgrad]

So we would rather undermine the legitimacy of our election process than require individuals to prove who they are?

[Warhorse]

So we would rather undermine the legitimacy of our election process than require individuals to prove who they are?

We have been down this road before in numerous threads. Note Husker Mort was not just referring to photo ID requirements.

[Husker Mort]

So we would rather undermine the legitimacy of our election process than require individuals to prove who they are?

Absolutely. If it means alienating 10-20% of the electorate in order to "protect" against the .0004% of fraud. I am really impressed that you guys maintain such a consistent party line, though.

[huskernut]

We have been down this road before in numerous threads. Note Husker Mort was not just referring to photo ID requirements.

If we've been down this road before in numerous threads, why are you posting in this one? Why did Mort start it?

[McKinneyTXHusker]

Absolutely. If it means alienating 10-20% of the electorate in order to "protect" against the .0004% of fraud. I am really impressed that you guys maintain such a consistent party line, though.

Hyperbole much? 10 -20% now, huh?

[Husker Mort]

Hyperbole much? 10 -20% now, huh?

15.9% African American. 17.4% 65 and older. So, yeah, the voter restriction efforts address at least 10-20% of the Florida electorate.

http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/...xhtml?src=bkmk

[Cardinal]

15.9% African American. 17.4% 65 and older. So, yeah, the voter restriction efforts address at least 10-20% of the Florida electorate.

http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/...xhtml?src=bkmk

Don't forget the Hispanic.

[Pops]

Don't forget the Hispanic.

that could add up to billions

[McKinneyTXHusker]

15.9% African American. 17.4% 65 and older. So, yeah, the voter restriction efforts address at least 10-20% of the Florida electorate.

http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/...xhtml?src=bkmk

And why do you think that picture ID and the other things you mentioned address those specific groups? I know a number in both groups, and they have no more difficulty in meeting those requirements than whites who are younger than 65. Are you saying those groups are more likely to commit voting fraud, or what?

[bilsker]

Absolutely. If it means alienating 10-20% of the electorate in order to "protect" against the .0004% of fraud. I am really impressed that you guys maintain such a consistent party line, though.

10-20% of the electorate doesn't have ID? How are you over 18 and not have a photo ID?

[bilsker]

THere's no reason why you should not have to prove who you are when you go to vote. No ID? Tough. If you want to vote go get a state ID if you don't want a driver's license of have had your's taken away. It's not too much to ask of someone who wants to take part in the democratic process.

[Pops]

I think they should allow fetuses to vote since they are equal to all other humans...hey just sayin.

[twokgrad]

We have been down this road before in numerous threads. Note Husker Mort was not just referring to photo ID requirements.

I do agree with you (Warhorse) and Mort that shortening the voting window and such would reduce the number of voters. I only took exception to the photo ID requirement, which after re-reading I didn't make that distinction.

I have to admit that I am not as knowledgeable as I would like on the photo ID laws that some of the states have - do they require some sort of photocopy to be submitted with advanced ballots?

I looked up how much a photo id costs in my current state of Texas, where I believe they did pass a voter id law not too long ago...for seniors, it's $6....for indefinitely. For those under 60, it's much more pricey - $16, expiring every 6 years.

Absolutely. If it means alienating 10-20% of the electorate in order to "protect" against the .0004% of fraud. I am really impressed that you guys maintain such a consistent party line, though.

Let's assume for a minute that your quote of "0.0004% of fraud" is correct. I would argue one main counterpoint - just because it is not widespread does not mean it isn't impactful. What matters is when there are enough votes pooled in one decisive location. Why would anyone stuff the box on elections where the district is clearly Democrat, or clearly Republican? There is no payoff in that. So for a vast majority of votes throughout the nation, it is unlikely to occur. Where the efforts are focused, is where that activity can actually make a difference.

Your statement is akin to saying "Because the North Vietnamese have 1% of the training and technology as the US, they will be no problem" or any other military analogy where guerrilla warfare was demonstrated to effectively decimate the "superior" force.

[Husker Mort]

And why do you think that picture ID and the other things you mentioned address those specific groups? I know a number in both groups, and they have no more difficulty in meeting those requirements than whites who are younger than 65. Are you saying those groups are more likely to commit voting fraud, or what?

African American churches have traditionally done a group march from Sunday service straight to the polls. That is no longer possible when Sunday early voting was eliminated.
The other group that utilizes early voting (which was reduced from 14 to 7 days)? Seniors over 65.

10-20% of the electorate doesn't have ID? How are you over 18 and not have a photo ID?

Nope. Several of them do like to vote early, on Sunday, or get registered by a third party (that now has less than 48 hours to file).



Let's just be clear. Florida may want to have the most secure elections in the country -- but let's not also believe their rhetoric about it not effecting turnout. Fortunately, for the GOP, it will most affect those that least support their agenda.

[Husker Mort]

I do agree with you (Warhorse) and Mort that shortening the voting window and such would reduce the number of voters. I only took exception to the photo ID requirement, which after re-reading I didn't make that distinction.

I have to admit that I am not as knowledgeable as I would like on the photo ID laws that some of the states have - do they require some sort of photocopy to be submitted with advanced ballots?

I looked up how much a photo id costs in my current state of Texas, where I believe they did pass a voter id law not too long ago...for seniors, it's $6....for indefinitely. For those under 60, it's much more pricey - $16, expiring every 6 years.



Let's assume for a minute that your quote of "0.0004% of fraud" is correct. I would argue one main counterpoint - just because it is not widespread does not mean it isn't impactful. What matters is when there are enough votes pooled in one decisive location. Why would anyone stuff the box on elections where the district is clearly Democrat, or clearly Republican? There is no payoff in that. So for a vast majority of votes throughout the nation, it is unlikely to occur. Where the efforts are focused, is where that activity can actually make a difference.

Your statement is akin to saying "Because the North Vietnamese have 1% of the training and technology as the US, they will be no problem" or any other military analogy where guerrilla warfare was demonstrated to effectively decimate the "superior" force.

Worst. Analogy. Ever.

[cactusboy]

Don't forget how they now have to show voter ID in PA even though "the commonwealth has not documented cases of in-person voter fraud..."

We all know this is only about winning at any cost and not preventing voter fraud. Just as much as we all understand the "southern strategy" was all about winning at any cost.

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

[cactusboy]

A comedic take on a possibly comedic series of legislative acts in Florida:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tu...purge-overkill

click on share on the daily show clip and copy/paste the embed code.