Sec. of State to Voters: Please Commit Fraud

Around six weeks ago, I wrote my local State Senator a note regarding the Franken-Coleman debacle and the subsequent voting recount. I simply asked that as long they were recounting votes, that he support some measure to make sure the votes were actually legal ballots. I asked him to call for a review of the integrity of each ballot cast. Today, I received his response:

“Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:19:21 -0600

From: jmarty@senate.mn

Subject: Voter Integrity

Dear Stephen,

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about the integrity of the election process in Minnesota. I believe we should continue Minnesota’s legacy of fair elections, which includes both working to prevent fraud and protecting our citizens’ constitutional right to vote.

Creating a photo identification requirement to vote would disenfranchise thousands of legally-registered voters. The Secretary of State’s Office estimates that there are 135,000 senior citizens in the state that don’t have a driver’s license or a Minnesota ID card.

Likewise, eliminating same-day voter registration would deter voter participation. People register on election day for a number of reasons, such as recently moving to a new residence. I do not believe that anyone should be disenfranchised from their legal right to vote simply because of moving or economic hardship.

I should also point out that under current Minnesota law any individual who commits voter fraud, such as voting more than once, misrepresenting their identity in applying for a ballot, or aiding someone who is not eligible to vote, is guilty of a felony.

This session, I expect the Secretary of State to come forward with a number of proposed changes to the oversight of the voter registration process which will help ensure that only legally-eligible people vote. These changes will continue to enhance the national reputation Minnesota holds of reliable and honest elections.

Sincerely,

John Marty

JM: cm

John Marty

328 State Capitol

St Paul, MN 55155

651.296.5645”

I sent this to him In response moments ago:

“From: Stephen Hann (stephen.d.hann@hotmail.com)
Sent: Wed 2/11/09 10:47 AM
To: jmarty@senate.mn

Sen. Marty:

Thank you kindly for your response. I greatly appreciate it. However, I don't understand why you insist that we do not need stricter voting integrity.

You argue for no voter ID required claiming it would disenfranchise senior citizens. However, it is plainly true that I could round up a group of illegitimate voters and vouch for all of them; thus giving them the ability to vote with no proof of their citizenship. It is also true that if they are not English-speaking, I could enter in to the booth with them to interpret the ballot as I see fit.

Asking senior citizens to do their civic duty and get a voter ID card is a small price to pay for legitimate elections. The lack of integrity in our voting registration invites fraud and abuse.

You also claim that same-day registration is essential to encouraging voting. Unfortunately the potential gain is not worth the risk. I recently moved across the Twin Cities and there was absolutely nothing preventing me (outside of my dutiful citizenship) from voting in my old district and proceeding to "same-day" register in my new district and vote there as well. Do you honestly believe that abuse and lack of legitimacy takes place because of these laws (or lack thereof)? When it is so easy to abuse the system we the citizens of the State ought not to have any measure of confidence in the legitimacy of our elections.

There are no measures in place to prevent any of this from happening. I understand there are laws in place to punish voting fraud. But where are the laws to prevent it in the first place? By your logic it would make no sense for banks to hire security guards because there are laws to prosecute larceny. Do you safely trust your emails to be sent without any data security because there are laws to punish computer crimes? This is patently absurd Sen. Marty, much like your argument that I need not worry because fraudulent voters might be convicted of a felony. What steps are in place to catch voter fraud after the fact? I do not feel any safer knowing there is a threat of prosecution. That does not make our elections legitimate any more than retroactive laws prevent crime.

Fundamentally, your position is untenable. Your preference for easy voting and super-enfranchisement causes more harm than erring on the side of security and integrity. If I vote illegally it causes two harms: one, I have broken the law and cast an illegitimante vote. It is a vote that offers illegal and undue support to a candidate. And two: I have subsequently canceled out a perfectly legitimate vote with my faulty one. But if we err on my side, the only possible harm that could take place is that someone who should be able to vote was not allowed to do so because they didn't register early enough, a fault of no one but their own self. But, the current policies of the State invite and welcome abuse, fraud, and illegitimacy. In short, it's easy to perpetrate voting crimes. It is likely that elections are tainted and democracy failed by your voting policies.

I humbly ask that you support stricter laws on voting registration.

Regards,

Stephen D. Hann”