DeclinetoState
11-10-2006, 09:43 PM
Gina Cobb (http://ginacobb.typepad.com/gina_cobb/)
Attention has begun to turn to the possible priorities of the current Congress before it adjourns for the year. Lest we forget, at this moment both the House and Senate still have Republican majorities. That will change 100% when Congress returns in January.
An Associated Press story Thursday listed several possible priorities for Congress, but ignored the urgent need for passage of a bill requiring that voters show photo identification before they cast ballots in federal elections.
One of the absolute highest priorities for the Senate before it adjourns must be passage of the Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006, which was already passed by the House.
The status of the Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 is here (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-4844). The full text (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h109-4844) of the Act is here.
First, consider the fact that in many states, it is illegal for election officials to ask a voter to provide photo identification.
Second, consider the fact that America has a huge and ever-increasing population of illegal immigrants. States like California, Arizona, and Colorado, to name a few, are straining under the weight of their illegal immigrant populations. The problem is massive, nationwide. Unlike naturalized citizens who have jumped all the hurdles required for citizenship, these illegal immigrants or non-citizen residents do not necessarily share an understanding and appreciation of our system of government; they did not study civics and American history in high school (if they reached high school at all). Not all are literate, even in their native languages. Many do not speak or write English fluently, or at all.
Third, consider this fact: In many states and cities with high immigrant populations such as California, Colorado and Arizona, up to half the ballots were cast as absentee ballots this year. Click on the link above for the blog and all its links.
Attention has begun to turn to the possible priorities of the current Congress before it adjourns for the year. Lest we forget, at this moment both the House and Senate still have Republican majorities. That will change 100% when Congress returns in January.
An Associated Press story Thursday listed several possible priorities for Congress, but ignored the urgent need for passage of a bill requiring that voters show photo identification before they cast ballots in federal elections.
One of the absolute highest priorities for the Senate before it adjourns must be passage of the Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006, which was already passed by the House.
The status of the Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 is here (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-4844). The full text (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h109-4844) of the Act is here.
First, consider the fact that in many states, it is illegal for election officials to ask a voter to provide photo identification.
Second, consider the fact that America has a huge and ever-increasing population of illegal immigrants. States like California, Arizona, and Colorado, to name a few, are straining under the weight of their illegal immigrant populations. The problem is massive, nationwide. Unlike naturalized citizens who have jumped all the hurdles required for citizenship, these illegal immigrants or non-citizen residents do not necessarily share an understanding and appreciation of our system of government; they did not study civics and American history in high school (if they reached high school at all). Not all are literate, even in their native languages. Many do not speak or write English fluently, or at all.
Third, consider this fact: In many states and cities with high immigrant populations such as California, Colorado and Arizona, up to half the ballots were cast as absentee ballots this year. Click on the link above for the blog and all its links.