Thursday, March 16, 2006
Rendell vetoes voter ID bill
A while ago, I posted that that Rendell had vetoed the Voter ID bill; my timing was off ( just call it foresight) based on this news item today - Rendell vetoes voter ID bill.
Gov. Rendell stated that the bill, which required voters to show one of many easily obtainable forms of ID, would create a hurdle to people voting. He also said government should make it easier for people to cast their ballots, not harder. As a PoliPundit blogger phrased it: "Let’s hope making it easier doesn’t cause the vote tallies to exceed the registered voters."
Rendell said he doesn't think voter fraud is a major problem. Perhaps he views it as an opportunity instead. That would be understandable considering the substantial Democratic turnout in Philly which has always been dubious given the location of polling places in abandoned buildings and in the homes of politicians. And this year, Rendell may need all the help he can create. The last Strategic Vision poll shows him in a dead heat (44% to 44%) with Lynn Swann.
Don't underestimate the importance of assuring voter integrity in large areas like Philly. In the 2004 election, PA went "blue" by about 120,000 votes with Kerry winning Philadelphia County by 400,000 votes. In other words, all of PA, except for Philly, went for Bush by a 280,000 vote plurality. That's why this veto is far from unexpected, especially in this election year.
Gov. Rendell stated that the bill, which required voters to show one of many easily obtainable forms of ID, would create a hurdle to people voting. He also said government should make it easier for people to cast their ballots, not harder. As a PoliPundit blogger phrased it: "Let’s hope making it easier doesn’t cause the vote tallies to exceed the registered voters."
Rendell said he doesn't think voter fraud is a major problem. Perhaps he views it as an opportunity instead. That would be understandable considering the substantial Democratic turnout in Philly which has always been dubious given the location of polling places in abandoned buildings and in the homes of politicians. And this year, Rendell may need all the help he can create. The last Strategic Vision poll shows him in a dead heat (44% to 44%) with Lynn Swann.
Don't underestimate the importance of assuring voter integrity in large areas like Philly. In the 2004 election, PA went "blue" by about 120,000 votes with Kerry winning Philadelphia County by 400,000 votes. In other words, all of PA, except for Philly, went for Bush by a 280,000 vote plurality. That's why this veto is far from unexpected, especially in this election year.
