For most Oklahoma Facebook voters, voter ID is ok in OK
Published: November 6th, 2012
An election night poll of readers on the CapitolBeatOK/Watchdog facebook pages found that most respondents found the state’s voter ID requirements reasonable. “Most,” however, did not mean “all.”
Bill Manley maintained, “I showed my voter ID card that I got from registering to vote. Absent of impersonator voter I.d. violations, there is no need for i.d. Voter I.D. laws take away people’s right to vote by discriminating against the poor, homeless and those who live in inner cities and don’t need a drivers license.”
John Bratt commented, “It’s treating a non-existent problem. There is no such requirement for Absentee voting, which is far more prone to fraud. In-person voting fraud is non-existent. I showed my ID, but my voter’s registration card should be enough.” Brian Althenhofel was succinct, “I did [show ID], but I don’t like it.”
Bluntest of all was Pat Thompson’s one-word post: “Unncecessary.”
The prevailing opinion was briefly put by Charles W. Potts, who wrote, “It is totally appropriate that I had to [show identification].” Mary Newcome Hatch said, “I did show identification, and I’ll be radical enough to say that I think there should be more to voting…..like understanding what the Constitution says or does not say.
Randy Ross was proud because, “I had two forms in my hand as I walked in. The lady checking is a neighbor and called me by name before checking but she did look at my ID. Not a problem for those of us who have nothing to hide and are properly registered.” Following Ross was Sean Robinson who observed, “The Lady in front of me was turned away because she didn’t have any! I didn’t need to show my Voter’s ID, though. Just a Gov’t Issued ID. I completely agree that you need to have ID to vote.:
“Showed my Voter ID card,” said Kevin Whitfield. “Guy behind me tried to vote using an expired driver’s license as his ID. They had to explain to him why that wasn’t “valid” ID.” Charles Campbell believes, “I think it keeps dead people from voting.”
Through 8 p.m. Central Time on election night, more than 3,600 people had viewed the poll, but only 130 had taken time to comment.