Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

An invitation to fraud

Online voter registration? Maybe, but not with Senate Bill 40

The Rocky

Published March 12, 2008 at 11:12 p.m.

Text size  

More Editorials

More stories »

Abedrock principle of democracy is one person, one vote. And the integrity of elections depends in large part on voter records that are accurate and up-to-date, so that only those people eligible to vote are allowed to exercise the franchise.

Unfortunately, a measure is moving forward in the legislature that would undermine the security procedures that protect voter registration records; it would invite mischief or even fraud that would be difficult to detect - and thus difficult to prevent.

Senate Bill 40, which passed an initial committee vote last week, would allow anyone (not necessarily registered voters, Colorado residents or even U.S. citizens) to change voter registration records online at the secretary of state's Web site.

And those seeking to make changes would not need to provide a password, as you would if you were accessing e-mail from a remote location; nor would they have to offer the sort of personal information (such as their mother's maiden name, city of birth, favorite pet, etc.) that's expected when someone sets up an account to pay a bill online or manage investments. Verification standards in the bill are minimal, which makes the plan an easy target for abuse.

Current voter registration law requires an applicant to provide a valid address, along with either a Social Security number or Colorado driver's license number. SB 40 says the secretary of state can ask for additional information to verify that an online applicant has a digital signature on file with the state - say, from a vehicle registration, driver's license or tax return.

But the state does not typically keep much more information than Social Security numbers and driver's license information in its databases. County clerks can require additional proof of verification when you register to vote, but that documentation, when it exists, is left with the counties and is not in state databases.

Moreover, the law does not authorize the secretary of state to collect new personal data from voters for verification during online changes - and it's not clear that office could do so on its own. Unless more thorough verification is required for online access to voter registration, it would be easy for a disgruntled former spouse or anyone with access to an employer's human resources records to tamper with voter files.

Nor would SB 40 provide adequate safeguards to prevent noncitizens from registering and voting. Online applicants must merely state that they are eligible to vote; no proof is required. Legal noncitizen immigrants can get Colorado driver's licenses and they pay state taxes, so presumably they could also register online and vote.

You don't have to be a Luddite to distrust an online system that allows easy access to what should be secure government records - and expects so little in verification from the person seeking to modify those documents.

We have no principled objection to a system that allows voters to register online. At a minimum, though, much more stringent security procedures than those spelled out in SB 40 should be no-brainers. Online voter registration should be coupled with secure verification. Requiring passwords and personal data known only to the individual voter seems obvious.

Otherwise, there'd be little way to prove that those who register using the Internet are who they say they are, placing the safety of everyone's vote in jeopardy.

Comments

  • March 13, 2008

    6:42 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Acemon writes:

    Very nice invective, Earl, but you conveniently ignore the numerous times Republicans have been involved in voter fraud. May I remind you of the "Vote early, vote often" fiasco in Chicago?

    Stay focused: it's the bill that's the problem, not the fools on both sides of the aisle who voted to support it. Fight the bad legislation and put aside the partisan bickering designed to keep us from looking at the details.

  • March 13, 2008

    6:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    vudumom writes:

    La Raza will have a field day with this one.

  • March 13, 2008

    7:01 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    peachy0301 writes:

    Acemon - Earl is referring to the attempts by the Repubs in our legislature to secure voter registration to make sure that only citizens who have the right to vote are the ones who vote. Several different bills that would have done just that were killed by Democrats in our state legislature. Now they come up with a bill that will open wide the voter registration rolls to anyone anywhere.

    When our state legislature decides to stop voting on party lines maybe we can get past the partisan bickering to do the right thing for the CITIZENS of this country.

    In our non-sanctuary sanctuary state I'd love to see a report on our most recent gubernatorial race to see how much voter fraud (votes by illegals and non-citizens) helped elect Bill Ritter.

  • March 13, 2008

    7:35 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Acemon writes:

    Peachy0301 -- No, Earl was trying to fan the flames of discord between two groups of people by demeaning the group he dislikes. I fully agree that voter registration must be secure and that elections need to be free of fraudulent behavior, but name-calling and taunts won't do anything to accomplish it.

    You are absolutely correct that our legislature needs to consider what is best for the citizens, and not what's best for their own political party.

  • March 13, 2008

    9:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    blacksho89 writes:

    Acemon: Am I trying to fan the flames by pointing out that Richard J. Daley of Chicago (vote early, vote often) was a DEMOCRAT? Or am I just pointing out that you are a moran? Not all Democrats, not even most Democrats. Just you.

  • March 13, 2008

    9:13 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    SkiBum writes:

    Acemom: You might want to do a little more research before you pin that on the Republicans. Anyone familiar with Illinois politics knows the city of Chicago has been controlled by the Dem machine for decades. As a person who grew up in the Chicago area, "vote early, vote often" was associated with the Democratic machine of Mayor Daley(the first, not the current). There are many historians who believe his machine used voter fraud to capture Illinois for President Kennedy in 1960. Even though Nixon carried the rest of the state, Daley held back the vote until the next morning when he delivered Chicago to Kennedy and Kennedy barely took Illinois.

    There is some debate as to whether Al Capone or Mayor Daley uttered that phrase, but it definitely did not come from Republicans!

  • March 13, 2008

    10:02 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Acemon writes:

    I admit I might be wrong regarding the "vote early, vote often" being attributed to Republicans, but despite my distrust of Democrats I can't blame them for all voter fraud. Both parties will do whatever they can to ensure their own candidates will win.

    Were there no Colorado Republicans who voted for Senate Bill 40?

  • March 13, 2008

    10:14 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rickg19611 writes:

    Why do Democrats want to allow people who are NOT eligible to vote to be allowed to register and vote?

    Are they afraid that the LEGAL CITIZENS of COLORADO will not elect them?

  • March 13, 2008

    1:39 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    stuckiniowa writes:

    Skibum -- the only difference between the political philosophies of Daddy Daley and the presiding "Maer" of Chicago - is the openness of their corruption. Daddy Daley didnt hide his dealings, while his son is just as snarky, but hides behind his lackeys, picking them off with every scandal.

  • March 13, 2008

    4:26 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    gary writes:

    Here you go guys...

    The quote of the day....

    "My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it."

    -- Barack Obama

    Yep...he will change the greatest nation in the world alright...but to what???

    Nuff Said

  • March 14, 2008

    10:39 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Frank25 writes:

    This attracted the usual "opinion" writers who don't do their own research. Google for Colorado Assembly, then go to Senate bills, select S. 40 and read the bill. I live in Arapahoe County and have been registered to vote since retiring from military in 1976, living in same house. Changed registration in 2006 and again I presented my photo ID, filled out new form identifying my home address, phone number, and signature was digitized. That exists in county and will remain there. This bill allows "legal- registered voter" whose information is current, to register in new, state-wide database, but info must already be in stated department of revenue databases. And any changes will be checked and difference established. State-wide database must be established to prevent "folks so inclined" from casting more than one vote (such as in polling place and also absentee ballot, or in another state area. For all posters, take a deep breath and check ALL newspaper info before you start yapping. At 78, I check and you should too.