Joplin Globe cuts down Photo ID legislation

Submitted by Howard Beale on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 7:47am.

The Joplin Globe, from ultra-liberal southwest Missouri, says 'no thanks' to GOP photo ID voting requirements:

Those without photo ID generally are women, the elderly or the poor.

We have enough bureaucracy.

Heaping on one more barrier, or making the system even more prohibitive for some, smacks of political gamesmanship.

Let’s get down to taking care of problems that are real.

Dealing with real problems?  Novel idea.

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What's the Official State Dessert Again?

Submitted by Hector on Fri, 05/16/2008 - 11:02pm.
How about an official state paperclip for the next session? Politicians are the cause of voter apathy. We need some who will WALK THE TALK and take care of BUSINESS. Montana has it figured out with legislative session and budget only every two years.
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Had to do a double-take

Submitted by suzyjax on Fri, 05/16/2008 - 10:41am.
When reading these editorials yesterday, I had to do a double-take to make sure I was on the correct website. And then wondered if they had been hacked. I think this just says that what we all know is true--that the voter ID move is a bad idea (and thought bad across the board).
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The St. Joseph News-Press also weighs in against

Submitted by Howard Beale on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 7:52am.

From an editorial today...

The 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution would make for timely reading for any member of the Missouri General Assembly. In clear language, it states:

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.”

The courts consistently have seen through transparent attempts to levy poll taxes. In short, if money changes hands, particularly if it is a burden to pay, then fees associated with voting can be deemed an unlawful tax and an unconstitutional barrier to voting.

This matters because key Republican legislators who hold sway in Jefferson City seem determined to approve a proposed constitutional amendment governing voter identification before adjourning Friday. In every version of the proposal debated so far, otherwise eligible voters could be denied their chance to cast a ballot because of matters beyond their control, including financial barriers. ...

This is no small point. The Constitution makes no exception for a “few” instances of disenfranchised voters. It says all who are eligible are entitled to vote.

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