Floating an Idea
Give me some input on this idea.
When a person registers to vote, a voter registration card is filled out, which contains the signature of the registrant, along with a PIN # assigned to that registrant. The original is kept at the County where the voter is registered and a copy is given to the registrant.
At the time of registration, the registrant has been required to PROVE citizenship, age and residency, using birth certificate or citizenship papers and to provide something with their address on it, such as a utility bill, to prove residency. They will also be required to provide a photo.
Once registered, a letter is mailed to the registrant at the address provided, requiring them to return the letter with their signature and PIN # to verify their registration.
When it comes time to vote, the person must provide their PIN # at the poll or on their absentee ballot along with their signature.
The PIN # provides a way to ensure that the person voting is in fact the person registered and validated to do so, the same as your PIN # on your debit card ensures your identity when you go to draw money out of the ATM.
posted by HannaUSA @ 9:18 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
While I agree that voters ought to be required to offer some proof of their identity in order to cast a ballot, I wonder how many of us could keep track of a "PIN" that we only use a couple of times a year.
Would the PIN cause more trouble than it's worth? Would it cause an increase in the use of provisional ballots?
It might be a more secure way of verifying absentee ballots than is now done by signature verification, but that assumes people keep their PIN to themselves.
I really don't think signature verification is a reliable way to prove the identity of a voter who casts an absentee ballot, since the workers examining those signatures surely get tired after the first few hundred signatures go by -- if not after the first few dozen.
So, I would like to see something other than signature verification for voting by mail. I'm just not sure I see how the PIN would be that much better.
The county would have credit card type things already prepared to give to the voter when he registers.
Granted he would have to keep track of this number, just like he has to keep track of his PIN# for his bank account, but I see no other way to verify both poll and absentee voters.
There would have to be some provision for someone who claims they have lost their PIN#, but that detail could be worked out I think.
Not a bad idea. But, way to sophisticated for the idiots that run Washington state. They'd be afraid someone couldn't figure out how to use a PIN number ... you know, like the illegal immigrants that only use cash and have never used a bank machine. We wouldn't want to disenfranchise them.
Why bother with a pin?
You can get a WA state ID card or you already have a drivers license number.
When you register you have proof of citizenship, proof of residency or exclusion (military ID card etc)a WA ID or Drivers License, and then your registered.
Mail in's only go to the address on the license or military base period.
When you show up to vote you show your License or ID card, the number is noted, the photo is checked etc. or you provide a photocopy when you send in your mail in.
Whenever you get a new license or ID card you are automatically re-registered if you already proved citizenship etc.
Seems pretty straightforward.
Once registered, a letter is mailed to the registrant at the address provided
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