Vote ‘yes’ on voter ID amendment in Nov.
To the editor:
I read with interest your article in the June 21 edition of the Sun Post on Crystal City Council’s vote to oppose the Voter ID amendment – apparently based on one committee’s request. Curiously, the article didn’t list the official vote count. I looked it up and found two council members voted “no.”
It would have been helpful for readers to hear from one of those leaders, or an election judge, like me who supports the amendment. While our city has been a model for election integrity, one doesn’t have to travel far to find problems.
In 2010, a challenger in our area reported a partisan group illegally vouching for voters they didn’t know near the University of Minnesota, under investigation by Hennepin County.
A recent Star Tribune poll shows 80 percent of Minnesotans support Voter ID. We need IDs to buy Sudafed cold medicine, alcohol, a hotel room or a fishing license to name a few.
When I needed surgery recently, my ID was required when I was admitted. Doesn’t it make sense that voters should prove who they are when electing our leaders?
As to council member Mark Hoffman’s assertion that Voter ID “takes away rights from people”— what about the disenfranchised voter whose ballot is discounted because of fraud (like illegal vouching)?
Currently, these ballots get counted and fraud is discovered after the fact – making it almost impossible to prosecute. Presenting an ID, which many voters in my precinct already do as a courtesy, ensures integrity. Please vote “yes” for the Voter ID amendment this November.
Nancy LaRoache
Crystal
