I posted this to another blog on May 16, 2006, right after a futile attempt to vote in an Arizona special election. This voter ID shit isn’t about keeping illegal aliens from voting. It’s about keeping minorities, the elderly, and the poor from voting (pdf file) – in a word, Democrats. And today, I am one happy Democrat!
Arizona enacted a voter ID law last year. The intent was to keep illegals from voting, and I expect similar laws are going into effect in other states.
This afternoon I went to vote in a Tucson special election. I showed the volunteer my voter registration card and military ID card, and he looked at me like I had two heads. “Where’s your drivers license? I have to see your drivers license.”
Yeah, I could have fished my drivers license out, but I was so outraged I left. Since when did military ID cards become invalid? I’ve only been home 30 minutes, and already I’ve written to the mayor, the governor, my congressman, and both senators. I swear, I haven’t been this upset since the hogs ate my sister!
Update (5/17/06): no response.
Update (5/18/06): no response.
Update (5/19/06): no response.
Update (5/20/06): no response.
Update (5/21/06): no response.
Update (5/22/06): A staffer from Senator Kyl’s office called to give me contact information for two offices that should be able to straighten things out (Arizona Secretary of State and Pima County Recorder). Still no response from Mayor Walkup, Governor Napolitano, Congressman Kolbe, or Senator McCain, I’m disappointed to say. I’ll stop posting daily updates now.
Update (6/5/06): Mayor Walkup blew me off. Governor Napolitano, Congressman Kolbe, and Senator McCain all responded, but told me it was a local issue. The Arizona Secretary of State told me my military ID was worthless, and that from now on I’ll have to produce an Arizona drivers license if I want to vote.
Update (10/5/06): Yow! Check this out!
Our country still has a judicial branch! All hail the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals!
Dear Mr. Arizona Secretary of State: what do you think of my military ID card now?