Posted by
R. D. Cook on Friday, November 28, 2008 1:18:08 PM
A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO VOTER FRAUD
Recent examples of fraud in registering voters and actual fraud during the voting process has severely eroded the confidence of the American voter in our electoral process.
It seems to me that some foolproof system needs to be put in place that will guarantee the following:
1. Only those eligible to vote in any election are able to do so
2. A person is only able to vote once in any given election
3. All persons eligible to vote in an election are able to do so
4. All campaign contributions are traceable and “upfront” confirmation should be mandatory (see attached FEC letter)
5. A system must be created that can verify and back check to insure 1, 2, 3 and 4
are scrupulously followed.
As to number one above; this could be guaranteed with minimal effort. Every citizen of the United States has been issued a social security number by the time they reach voting age. That number is assigned to a specific name. When a person registers to vote they would supply their name and social security number. The registration form would then be checked against the Social Security Administration (SSA) records to determine if it was legitimate. False, duplicate, or a number not assigned to the correct individual would be rejected and investigated to determine if it was an attempt at fraud or just a clerical mistake. Checking registrations in this way would make sure persons were not registered in multiple precincts for local elections or multiple states in national elections. Optical scanners could accomplish this task easily when linked to the SSA data base.
Current laws only requiring copies of utility bills, bank statements or paycheck stubs are an invitation to fraud. (All are easy to counterfeit especially when only copies are required.) The only sure way to guarantee accuracy is to use a SSN and the voters name for registration and then have laws mandating that the “registration” is cross checked using SSNs.
As to number two above; only those individuals whose “registration” had been verified could vote. This has become a huge problem since the advent of same day registration/voting coupled with extended or early voting. As it stands now in national elections a person could register and vote early in one state, do the same in other states and vote numerous times in a national election. Confirmed registration to vote using SS numbers would eliminate this problem. There would not be any tie to a SS number and the actual voting record of any individual. The only link would be during the registration process. The problem is aptly demonstrated when some states like Wisconsin and Ohio have refused to cross check voter registrations. Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner argued that federal rules only require the state to have a system in place for double-checking registrations but do not require her to make the checks. (This is in regard to 200,000 questionable voter registrations) To further demonstrate the need for “registration’ accountability; a law suit had to be filed in Wisconsin to try and force municipal clerks to verify voter registrations. How can the American public have confidence in the electoral process in this atmosphere of perceived or actual voter registration fraud?
As to number three above; every citizen of the United States who is eligible to vote already has a SS number. No additional voter identification for registration would be needed.
The old rules for registering to vote were grounded in very sound principles. Registering to vote some legislated number of days before an election gave election officials time to weed out fraudulent attempts to register illegally. The old system of only having a single day to vote severely decreased the ability to vote numerous times in different locations. These rules should be reinstated for national elections.
As to # 4 above; American confidence in the election finance regulations has all but evaporated. At the present time there is no sure way to guarantee that contributions are legal or meet the contribution limits. This situation must be changed. (See the accompanying FEC letter)
Voting is a right in the United States and no person should be denied the right to vote. Voting also carries some very serious responsibilities. Only elections that are fair and honest can guarantee our confidence in our elected officials and the electoral process. Any person who is in a position of power in this country who does not do everything possible to insure honest elections has an agenda contrary to the basic form of our government. (OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE.) Whenever I hear of someone attempting to stop efforts to make our election process more foolproof; I can only come to one conclusion. These people want confusion and are probably in favor of voter fraud that helps them or others to gain or retain elected positions.
Our electoral process is under serious attack. Groups like ACORN who register one individual numerous times, register people at false addresses, register numerous people at the same address or register people not eligible to vote are attempting to defraud the electoral process and create confusion to further their agendas. Any instance where the number of ballots cast is greater than the number of registered voters clearly shows that voter fraud is not a figment of anyone’s imagination. The often repeated liberal slogan of “vote early-vote often” can now be expanded to “vote early-vote often in as many precincts and states as possible”
During national elections states must be required by law to verify all voter “registrations” using names and SS numbers.
Groups like Acorn should only be allowed to hand out blank registration forms. If they wished they could also hand out stamped addressed envelopes for the registrar of voters in that area. They should never be allowed to possess completed, partially completed or signed forms. Individuals receiving blank forms from voter registration groups could then complete the form and mail it to their registrar of voters. The United States has a very secure and extensive postal system that would be much better for insuring accurate voter registration when compared to groups like ACORN who are obviously heavily involved in voter registration fraud. It is very possible that ACORN, an organization closely aligned to the Democratic Party, might even discard registration cards of voters registering as Republicans. All federal monies should be denied this group or any other group that is found to be participating in voter registration fraud.
Individuals contacted by voter registration organizations should be informed that only by filling out the form and mailing it themselves, will they guarantee the honesty of the electoral process and make sure they are registered properly. Every voter registration card handed out should be accompanied by written instructions directing voters to only use the mail or online registration and not give completed registration forms to anyone. Individuals should be warned to be suspicious of anyone who offers to fill out and mail voter registration forms for them. If a person is unable to fill out the form due to some disability; they should get help from someone they trust and not rely on a stranger who might have an agenda. If any hint of fraud occurs they should report it immediately to election officials. Following these procedures would eliminate much of the voter fraud being carried out by these groups. Online registration could also be checked by linking to the SSA data base and would be much faster.
Punishment for voter or voter registration fraud or voting fraud should be severe. It should be even more severe if election officials themselves are involved in any type of fraud. The election process in our country should be sacred. It is the basis for our whole structure of government and all attempts to defraud the process can not be tolerated in any way.
Congress and many of our elected officials have the lowest approval rating in the history of our country. If confidence in our electoral process also fails we will begin a downward spiral that will lead to a total lack of confidence in our government and further promote the divisions that exist in our country today.
In addition to the above there should be a national law that candidates seeking national office provide all ‘original” and “best” documentation that absolutely proves they meet the qualifications for that office. If any elected official is to have the confidence of the nation there should be absolutely no question of his or her qualifications to serve in that office.
Confidence in our government and leaders is of paramount importance at this time of economic and social upheaval in our country and the world. This is not a Democratic or Republican problem. It is a concern for all Americans. Complete transparency is the only way to promote confidence and bring this country together; a goal often stated by many of our elected officials.
The United States as leader of the free world should be instrumental in promoting completely fair elections and promote transparency in our government. Failure to do so will lead to further erosion in the confidence of our leaders, our government and the electoral process. How can we hold ourselves up as the “shining beacon on the hill” when multiple lawsuits throughout our nation concerning our elections cause us to be the laughing stock of the international community and erode the very confidence of the American people in their own government and electoral process?
R.D. Cook, author of “A Primer for Conservative Activism”
Federal Election Commission, 999 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20463 (800) 424-9530 In Washington (202) 694-1000
Dear Sirs, 11-24-2008
I have some very serious concerns about the just completed national election. It seems the campaign of President elect Obama received a very large number of campaign contributions via prepaid credit cards. I find this very disturbing.
Anyone, including foreign nationals who are not eligible to contribute funds to our elections could circumvent our laws using these cards. A person or group could purchase 500 hundred of these cards; say for $200 each and then use them to illegally funnel $100,000 into a campaign. People who have already contributed the maximum possible could also use them to contribute far more than is legal.
I believe these cards or any other untraceable contributions should be outlawed as a means to contribute to any campaign. The only reason to use them that I can see is to circumvent our election laws limiting or tracing campaign contributions. I feel that any contribution in any amount needs to be traceable if we are to retain any confidence in our election process.
Any contributions a candidate might receive from these types of contributions, since they are not traceable and could not be returned, should be confiscated and given to the FEC to help with administrative costs in enforcing our election laws.
It is a sad and disturbing fact that many Americans have a very low opinion of our government at this time. If our elections continue to be compromised due to voter registration and voter fraud or massive illegal campaign contributions; the confidence of the American people in our government will erode even further.
I have spoken to several people who are active in community affairs and valuable members of my community who have said they will no longer even vote in elections. They feel that our elections are no longer valid and that their votes will no longer matter when compared to the massive voter fraud that they feel is rampant in our society. When some recent elections come down to a candidate winning by a few hundred votes; any fraud can be the deciding factor. Contributions used to fund massive television and radio commercials, if they are illegal, obviously can sway an election when it is very close.
The present regulations that allow “back end” confirmation of contributions should be eliminated. The mere fact that it is more CONVENIENT for a campaign to use “back end” confirmation of internet contributions and prepaid credit cards can no longer be allowed. The very validity of our elections is being compromised.
R. D. Cook, author of “A Primer for Conservative Activism”