California voters should picture this

By: Bill Horn - San Diego County supervisor | Thursday, July 7, 2005 8:58 PM PDT ∞

Last year the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved my request for stronger voter identification procedures while registering and at the polls. A letter was sent to the California secretary of state calling for proof of citizenship while registering, photo ID at the polls and tougher penalties for voter fraud.

In my 11 years as an elected official, no other issue has generated more reaction from the public ---- locally, nationally and even worldwide ---- than voter ID. Nothing comes close. We were flooded with e-mails, letters, phone calls and interview requests from local and national print and electronic media. I even heard from military troops stationed in Iraq. The response was overwhelmingly in favor of voter ID.

We have a right to know that only American citizens vote in our elections. Proof of citizenship when registering to vote helps ensure that democracy is protected at the polls.

So what has happened since then? Like clockwork, for the eighth time since 2000, the Democratic-controlled California Legislature has killed another voter ID bill in committee. Never even gave it a chance on the floor.

What are they afraid of? If it were a matter of not wanting to show a DMV photo that makes most people look like fugitives, maybe I could understand. However, people think nothing of the requirement of showing photo ID to rent a movie. So why would anyone object to the same rule before voting? When it comes to voter ID, we can't depend on the majority in Sacramento to act with courage and common sense. The people need to pass a law that requires voters to present picture identification before voting.

A signature-gathering effort to qualify a state ballot initiative for the November election is now being circulated. Robert Ming and Vista's Jim Gibson are leading the charge. I urge you to contact them for details at www.voteridact.com, or e-mail them at info@voteridact.com. The deadline to gather at least 373,816 valid signatures is Aug. 8.

Opponents of voter ID call it a partisan or racial issue. Their smoke screen includes unfounded concerns about voter participation. They dig up ugly memories of poll taxes and strong-arm techniques. Their tired tactics are an insult to Americans.

Voter fraud is real and recent. Last November in Milwaukee, 7,000 more votes were cast than people recorded as voting. In Northern California, a man faces five felony counts of forging voter registration cards. The list of dirty deeds is long.

The state of Indiana gets it. Voters now have to show a photo ID issued by the federal or state government, such as a military ID or driver's license. People who do not have a driver's license and cannot afford to pay for a state-issued photo ID get one for free.

Stronger voter ID will not make our election process 100 percent secure. But to those who founded our great nation and to the thousands who died protecting liberty's cause, we owe them our best effort. Please support the Voter ID Act and restore integrity to our voting system.

San Diego County Supervisor Bill Horn represents the 5th District, which includes much of North County.