The Integrity and Security of Voter Registration Drives
Dennis AuBuchon
August 06, 2008
The process of registering new voters is usually well defined but recent events have raised concern over methods being used for this election year. There have been many registration drives some connected to party affiliation and some private. It is great there is interest in getting more individuals of voting age involved in the political process in this election year. While I commend organizations which are working to increase the number of registered voters the methods utilized by some raise many questions about current processes. Recent news events have identified conditions in existence in registration drives which need to be addressed to have an election with integrity in November. While I will be discussing some of the incidents reported this article is about the process of registering new voters. Practices being utilized as identified in recent news events should raise concerns about qualified voters being registered. The practices being utilized by some I believe will impact the quality and integrity of election results in November. This kind of practice is inexcusable and violates all principles of integrity.
The power of the Internet has brought new opportunities to stay informed. There constantly seems to be news events surrounding the issue of voter fraud. The details are as varied as the states but the issue is clearly something which requires close scrutiny in the validating of new voter registrations. One of the questionable practices in voter registration drives is the payment of canvassers based on the amount of voters they register. This practice has been identified in some registration drives in Virginia but they may exist in other areas of the country. There are many voter registration drives taking place by both political parties. The practice of paying canvassers promotes falsification of names on registration forms as the more they turn in the more money they make. Those taking part in voter registration drives should be doing so with integrity of purpose to get more people involved in the political process.
Some of the organizations behind voter registration drives indicate they have zero tolerance for fraud. There are also indications that the drives are centered on minority voters while the drives should have the purpose of registering all individuals not currently registered to vote. Concentrating on a specific group of individuals does not project integrity in the process. All individuals not currently registered should be addressed through any voter registration drive. Those that do not fit the criteria of minority voters as indicated in some registration drives appear to be left out of the process to become registered and part of the political process. If this is not the case these organizations must identify how they are addressing all individuals not currently registered. This article is not meant to criticize all registration drives as there are some I believe who utilize proper methods to register new voters.
Individuals arrested in Virginia for committing voter fraud did not prompt an investigation by the State Attorney General as indicated by news reports. I find that anytime there is evidence of voter fraud, especially if it involves registration drives it warrants an investigation. Voter integrity should be at the top of the agenda for any state to assure all votes cast in the upcoming election are valid. We have a great country and there is always going to be those who use the system or process in place to accomplish their objectives. Voter registration processes throughout the country must contain controls to validate all names on registration forms submitted by private organizations.
If controls are in place with the increased numbers of new voters being registered resources must be put in place to validate any new names submitted for registration.
Some examples of discrepancies identified in news reports indicated names that were not of voting age and fictitious addresses. Voters registering for the first time should be required to provide proof of age and address to assure they are qualified to cast ballots in an election.
Again while I commend those organizations who are properly conducting registration drives, many individuals may be asked for information that is not necessary to be registered. There was one report that a social security number was used to register another voter. Registration for new voters should not require details of this nature. While registration drives from any group whether they are associated with a political party or private organization should have requirements for approval from the state. The background of those in charge of voter registration drives needs to be investigated to assure the integrity of the information submitted.
The comments in the last paragraph may indicate that I favor more government control over organizations, I do not. However, the integrity of votes to be cast in this election year is critical to assure those voting not only have the right to vote but that they are who they say they are. Requirements for voter validation in some states have imposed proper identification procedures and this is a good thing. Some organizations have brought suit to eliminate the need for a voter ID stating it would hinder low-income and elderly voters from registering. This suit was dismissed by the U.S. Supreme Court. This decision was a plus for voter integrity. The drive for election accuracy was increased in this critical election year by this decision.
There are many individuals today that are not qualified to vote in our elections such as those individuals who have committed certain crimes and those who are not citizens.
I am concerned that these questions are not asked or considered when registering new voters. If non citizens or criminals become registered voters and are allowed to vote it affects the integrity of the state and national election results.
To summarize the increased activity to register new voters already have official processes in place. Many have utilized these official channels and where possible they should be used over the door to door canvassing. The practice of door to door canvassing while some may be doing this with integrity principles there is opportunity for fraud. Examples have been identified in news reports where individuals being registered identify addresses which do not exist and where individuals do may not live at the address listed on the registration. I believe most voter registration drives have the objective of getting proper registration of new voters to be involved in the political process. Information in some instances in voter registration drives ask for individual social security numbers or social security numbers have been used to register voters to which they do not belong. This amounts to identity theft and should be a major concern in validating new voter registrations.
Many states have established processes for getting voters registered. Becoming registered to vote is not a difficult task. Opportunities exist to become a registered voter through requesting a registration form be mailed by the board of elections. Another opportunity is to register in person at the board of election offices in the applicable location. Today with the Internet a new opportunity exist to register through downloading a voter registration form from the applicable board of elections web site. The use of this option comes with specific requirements to validate voter identification. Voters who register using this method should be required to provide proper identification to prove their age and place of residence. Proof of residence can be accomplished by anything with their name such as a utility bill. Other valid conditions may apply to allow voters to register and these conditions must be identified in the voter registration process. Let us keep the integrity of voter registrations by utilizing the official channels or at least validating new registrations with proper documentation. This will help to avoid voter fraud in the upcoming election. Paying canvassers based on the number of new voter registrations is a practice which should be made illegal. This practice creates an incentive for fraud by paying by the amount of voters registered. Another condition which has been reported is the establishment of quotas for obtaining new voter registrations. Quotas have no place in a voter registration drive. This again creates opportunity for fraud in the process.
The power of the Internet has brought new opportunities to stay informed. There constantly seems to be news events surrounding the issue of voter fraud. The details are as varied as the states but the issue is clearly something which requires close scrutiny in the validating of new voter registrations. One of the questionable practices in voter registration drives is the payment of canvassers based on the amount of voters they register. This practice has been identified in some registration drives in Virginia but they may exist in other areas of the country. There are many voter registration drives taking place by both political parties. The practice of paying canvassers promotes falsification of names on registration forms as the more they turn in the more money they make. Those taking part in voter registration drives should be doing so with integrity of purpose to get more people involved in the political process.
Some of the organizations behind voter registration drives indicate they have zero tolerance for fraud. There are also indications that the drives are centered on minority voters while the drives should have the purpose of registering all individuals not currently registered to vote. Concentrating on a specific group of individuals does not project integrity in the process. All individuals not currently registered should be addressed through any voter registration drive. Those that do not fit the criteria of minority voters as indicated in some registration drives appear to be left out of the process to become registered and part of the political process. If this is not the case these organizations must identify how they are addressing all individuals not currently registered. This article is not meant to criticize all registration drives as there are some I believe who utilize proper methods to register new voters.
Individuals arrested in Virginia for committing voter fraud did not prompt an investigation by the State Attorney General as indicated by news reports. I find that anytime there is evidence of voter fraud, especially if it involves registration drives it warrants an investigation. Voter integrity should be at the top of the agenda for any state to assure all votes cast in the upcoming election are valid. We have a great country and there is always going to be those who use the system or process in place to accomplish their objectives. Voter registration processes throughout the country must contain controls to validate all names on registration forms submitted by private organizations.
If controls are in place with the increased numbers of new voters being registered resources must be put in place to validate any new names submitted for registration.
Some examples of discrepancies identified in news reports indicated names that were not of voting age and fictitious addresses. Voters registering for the first time should be required to provide proof of age and address to assure they are qualified to cast ballots in an election.
Again while I commend those organizations who are properly conducting registration drives, many individuals may be asked for information that is not necessary to be registered. There was one report that a social security number was used to register another voter. Registration for new voters should not require details of this nature. While registration drives from any group whether they are associated with a political party or private organization should have requirements for approval from the state. The background of those in charge of voter registration drives needs to be investigated to assure the integrity of the information submitted.
The comments in the last paragraph may indicate that I favor more government control over organizations, I do not. However, the integrity of votes to be cast in this election year is critical to assure those voting not only have the right to vote but that they are who they say they are. Requirements for voter validation in some states have imposed proper identification procedures and this is a good thing. Some organizations have brought suit to eliminate the need for a voter ID stating it would hinder low-income and elderly voters from registering. This suit was dismissed by the U.S. Supreme Court. This decision was a plus for voter integrity. The drive for election accuracy was increased in this critical election year by this decision.
There are many individuals today that are not qualified to vote in our elections such as those individuals who have committed certain crimes and those who are not citizens.
I am concerned that these questions are not asked or considered when registering new voters. If non citizens or criminals become registered voters and are allowed to vote it affects the integrity of the state and national election results.
To summarize the increased activity to register new voters already have official processes in place. Many have utilized these official channels and where possible they should be used over the door to door canvassing. The practice of door to door canvassing while some may be doing this with integrity principles there is opportunity for fraud. Examples have been identified in news reports where individuals being registered identify addresses which do not exist and where individuals do may not live at the address listed on the registration. I believe most voter registration drives have the objective of getting proper registration of new voters to be involved in the political process. Information in some instances in voter registration drives ask for individual social security numbers or social security numbers have been used to register voters to which they do not belong. This amounts to identity theft and should be a major concern in validating new voter registrations.
Many states have established processes for getting voters registered. Becoming registered to vote is not a difficult task. Opportunities exist to become a registered voter through requesting a registration form be mailed by the board of elections. Another opportunity is to register in person at the board of election offices in the applicable location. Today with the Internet a new opportunity exist to register through downloading a voter registration form from the applicable board of elections web site. The use of this option comes with specific requirements to validate voter identification. Voters who register using this method should be required to provide proper identification to prove their age and place of residence. Proof of residence can be accomplished by anything with their name such as a utility bill. Other valid conditions may apply to allow voters to register and these conditions must be identified in the voter registration process. Let us keep the integrity of voter registrations by utilizing the official channels or at least validating new registrations with proper documentation. This will help to avoid voter fraud in the upcoming election. Paying canvassers based on the number of new voter registrations is a practice which should be made illegal. This practice creates an incentive for fraud by paying by the amount of voters registered. Another condition which has been reported is the establishment of quotas for obtaining new voter registrations. Quotas have no place in a voter registration drive. This again creates opportunity for fraud in the process.
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