Voter fraud has swept through the country in the last several years illustrating the dire need for reform. Last November, Miami's Mayor Xavier Suarez was removed from office and a City Commission candidate was jailed after violating Florida election law. One month earlier, 16,000 fraudulent voter registration cards were discovered in Los Angeles County, in many cases with the names of people who did not even exist. These are not isolated cases; they are simply examples of a crime that is easily committed and nearly impossible to prove. Unfortunately, California has been no exception.
Last year, a Northern California community newspaper published an expose titled, "Voter Fraud: Simple as 1, 2, 3," detailing how they registered a fictitious voter named, "Sandra L. Klaus." The story explained that in California, an individual can register to vote by simply giving a name and address, and declaring they are eligible to vote. Their unverified name is then placed on the rolls and a form is sent to whatever mailing address was specified, even if the address is a post office box or in another country. The voter can use the form to receive a valid absentee ballot - therefore enabling them to vote - without ever having to show proof of identity.
There have been attempts in the California Legislature over the past few years to pass measures requiring proof of identity to vote in this state. These bills, such as my Assembly Bill 383, were designed to prevent voter fraud like that experienced by Orange County in the election where Rep. Loretta Sanchez replaced former Rep. Bob Dornan. However, it was no surprise that these voter fraud prevention bills were killed by a Democratic-controlled Legislature before they ever made it to the Floor for a vote.
Although preventing voter fraud may not be a priority for some in the Legislature, it is appalling to see the recent steps taken to actually invite voter fraud under the auspices of increasing voter turnout. The Assembly Republicans were unable to prevent these bills from passing into the Senate, but it is crucial that such harmful legislation is stopped in the State Senate before permanent damage is inflicted on California's election process.
AB 669 would eliminate the current 100-foot prohibition on electioneering at polling places. In other words, candidates will be able to place campaign signs and paraphernalia directly next to where actual voting is taking place. This will undoubtedly destroy the island of neutrality we have attempted to create at our polling places.
Another measure, AB 1094, would allow same-day registration for all voters. Currently, a person must be registered to vote 29 days before an election, with the exception of new citizens who may register and vote on the day they are sworn in. In addition, this bill would allow anyone claiming to be registered to vote, even if that claim could not be immediately verified, to cast a provisional ballot. Certainly, this is one bill whose potential for abuse far outweighs any convenience it may bring to same-day voters.
AB 1426 would permit political parties to gather absentee ballots and deliver them to the polls. Current law allows only family members to complete this task. This bill will cross a dangerous line between the campaign and electoral processes, and it will be a temptation for those political operatives who may be motivated to utilize a voter's ballot for their own party's gain.
Unfortunately, the Democrats have not stopped at simply making it easier to commit voter fraud, they also want to make it easier for criminals to vote. One such proposed measure is a California Constitutional Amendment that would allow paroled felons to vote, thereby extending our right to vote to those who have committed the most serious crimes imaginable. Yet another bill would spend our taxpayer dollars sending notices to recently paroled criminals reminding them of their right to vote. It is time to put a stop to this type of legislation.
The integrity of California's election process hangs in the balance. The barriers currently in place have not been sufficient to deter major voter fraud from being committed in this state, and laws making it easier to defraud the system will certainly destroy the minimal safeguards we have left. If these bills pass out of the State Senate and are signed by Governor Davis, irrevocable damage will be done leaving us to wonder about the validity of our future elections. These bills must be stopped from passing so we can start worrying about how to protect the power of those who are legally entitled to vote by safeguarding their rights and privileges.
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