As a RIGHT and not a PRIVILEGE, we should make it as easy as possible for eligible voters to register. Rights should not in any way be infringed upon by making the process of exercising those rights burdensome without a really compelling reason to do so. Motor voter has done a lot to engage a lot of people in the electoral process. Going before the registrar was used in some states to create an undue barrier to exercising the right to vote. Since the requirements for proving identity to register to vote are actually less burdensome than the identity requirements to get a driver’s license, I would think that DMV staff would be MORE qualified than the Voter Registrar at evaluating such documents, especially since DMV staff will see more examples in a given day/week/month than someone at the Registrar’s office.

As I asked early and NoVA Scout just asked, though, what compelling, REAL problems does this bill address?

If the US had 1/2 the money used to build roads and bridges in Iraq imagine what we could do with our own infrastructure and save lives.

If the US has 1/2 the money used to build schools and hospitals in Iraq imagine what we could do with our own schools and healthcare.

Before anyone has the gall to ask me to spend one more dime of my money on a gas tax, poll tax or campaign, I want my Iraq money back.

I don’t care if the Whig party is resurrected, party alliance means nothing to me anymore nor should it to anyone else - I want to see some brave folks step up and suggest we take care of ourselves first. AND I believe it can be done with dignity and kindness.

Ten illegal votes is soooo unimportant compared to the rest of the mess this nation is in - at least to cost me money it is.

If anyone has questions about how comments are moderated, don’t hesitate to email me.

Formal request here to remove the spam. It is way off topic and takes up space.

Documents from other countries should not be acceptable as forms of proof of US Citizenship or legal status. I question how much training voting registrars have also. What are the qualifications to be one? I have no clue.

I am leery of new laws, especially ones authored by Bob Marshall. I have no problem shoring up voter verification IF there is a problem. Meanwhile, I am on the lookout for unintended consequences. I will take the wait and see approach before jumping on the band wagon.

You left out one commandment: Thou shall not spam.

Illegals who use false paperwork to get their driver’s licenses may register to vote at the DMV, per the Motor Voter law. All mthey have to do is check a box on their driver’s license application. Hence they will “legal voters” with a photo ID.

What I want are legislators that focus their attention during limited legislative sessions on true issues of concern rather than wasting legislative time addressing non-issues. If Virginia does not have any current problems with rampant voter fraud, then this is a waste of time. Further, I am loathe to see hoops placed in the way of legitimate voters to protect against a non-existent threat. Such a bill has costs as well. Several states that have passed photo ID voter laws have had to defend those laws against court challenges. This law would require additional staffing at the polls and additional training for poll workers. I’m not saying that we should turn a blind eye to voter fraud, but we also need to expend resources wisely–from limited time in legislative sessions to our budget to the resources willing to work on election day.

Are there any actual facts that back up the need to put additional barriers to voting in place? Was there rampant voting by ineligible voters in this last cycle? These are actually serious questions.

Didn’t you love Mr. May quoting Huckabee about WWJD???