Larsen 1 Tyler Larsen Ms.

Madden AP Language 11 12 November 2013 Voter Fraud in America Almost everyone has heard many disturbing facts about voter fraud, as well as ideas on how those facts are myths. So which facts are true and which facts are myths? Most of the facts that have circulated are true, however, the interpretation of these facts is at fault. For example, conservatives will say that approximately twenty-four millionone of every eight voter registrations in the United States are no longer valid or are significantly inaccurate (Inaccurate). Liberals, on the other hand, claim that voter fraud is actually less likely to occur than lightning striking a person (Levine). These facts are tremendously misleading. The first one is referring to voter registrations, the second one to actual votes cast. The second one only proves that catching someone in the act of voter fraud isnt likely to happen. The truth behind the matter is somewhere in between. It is clear that both sides see voter fraud as an issue in the American electoral system. The debate between conservatives and liberals isnt about whether or not there is voter fraud; it is about how big of a problem it is and what should be done about it. Simply put, conservatives believe voter fraud is the important issue while liberals believe voter intimidation is a more important issue. Yet in most debates between the left and right, they waste time arguing about whether or not there is voter fraud in America. Lorraine Minnite, a Columbia University professor, observed, The claim that voter fraud threatens the integrity of American elections is itself a fraud (qtd. in Levine). While at the same time, Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens reported, Unfortunately, the United States has a long history of voter

Larsen 2 fraud that has been documented by historians and journalists (qtd. in Fund). This debate is pointless and doesnt solve the problem. The left needs to realize that there is a noticeable amount of voter fraud in America, and the right needs to realize that trying to protect against voter fraud can lead to voter intimidation. Both parties want a fair and free election; they just disagree on how to make that happen. At the heart of this issue is the controversy surrounding voter ID laws. According to the
National Conference of State Legislatures, thirty-four states have laws that require some form of ID

in order to vote but only four states require photo ID. Conservatives constantly push for voter ID laws, especially photo ID laws, which would make fraudulent voting nearly impossible. Liberals, however, claim that requiring voters to present some form of ID is unconstitutional and prevents people from voting. This is yet another stand-still argument between the two parties because instead of trying to find a fair and balanced solution, they continue to argue over the significance of voter fraud. The Pew Charitable Trusts suggests that, Voter registration in the United States largely reflects its 19th-century origins and has not kept pace with advancing technology and a mobile society. States systems must be brought into the 21st century to be more accurate, costeffective, and efficient (Inaccurate). The solution to the dispute between conservatives and liberals is simple. In addition to requiring photo ID in all states, they need to be able to provide free photo ID for those who do not have it. This would ensure accuracy and not discriminate against anyone based upon their race, religion, or other cultural aspect. Illegal immigrants wouldnt be able to ignorantly get away with voting, and it would be impossible to vote as a dead person. The electoral system would be much more efficient and accurate.

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Fig. 1. This political cartoon suggests that picture ID should be required for voting in presidential elections (Ramirez).

Conservatives are typically strong believers in the existence of voter fraud and try to prevent it by requiring photo ID. While they tend to exaggerate and manipulate facts about voter fraud in order to make it sound like a big deal, they are still correct to be concerned about it. They assume every citizen has a photo ID but this is simply not true. They forget to include legislation that allows citizens to obtain free photo ID. Otherwise, only people with enough money to obtain a photo ID would be allowed to vote. Their motive prevention of fraud in the electoral system, but their solution overlooks the problem of voter intimidation, an important issue to liberals. Republicans are also concerned about groups such as ACORN which use government funding to register democratic voters. An article from the Wall Street Journal claims, All this money gives Acorn the ability to pursue its other great hobby: electing liberals. Acorn is spending $16 million this year to register new Democrats and is already boasting it has put 1.3 million new voters on the rolls. The big question is how many of these registrations are

Larsen 4 real (Obama). A popular political cartoon shows why conservatives believe it should be necessary to provide photo ID in order to vote (see fig. 1).

Fig. 2. This political cartoon suggests that voter intimidation and measures preventing voter fraud are a threat to a fair election (Danziger).

Liberals are typically against stronger voter ID laws because they believe that it is voter intimidation. They claim voter ID requirements discourage people from voting and in some cases, prevent them from voting at all. This statement, however, is only half true because requiring someone to present ID in order to vote isnt going to discourage people from voting, unless they shouldnt be voting in the first place. The other half of that statement is true, because conservatives overlook the fact that it costs money to obtain photo ID. Liberals concerns about voter ID laws making it impossible for poor people to vote is valid, because voter ID legislation doesnt provide a free way for citizens to obtain some form of photo ID. Another cartoon shows why liberals are concerned about voter intimidation (see fig. 2). The intense debate between conservatives and liberals over voter fraud is unfounded and meaningless. This debate needs a more rational argument that points out the flaws in both points

Larsen 5 of view and presents a fair and balanced solution. Conservatives need to stop exaggerating the amount of voter fraud and provide a way for all citizens to acquire photo ID. On the other hand, liberals need to recognize that photo ID laws are not a form of voter intimidation or discrimination if free photo ID is available to all citizens. Both sides need to compromise and realize the flaws in their reasoning. If the left and right continue disagreeing and using distorted facts, a solution will never be found.