Washington Post Poll: Nearly 75% of Americans Support Voter ID Laws
- Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:43pm by
Erica Ritz
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A little-reported Washington Post poll Monday indicated that nearly 75% of adults in the country support laws requiring voters to show official identification before casting their ballots.
(Related: Did Eric Holder Commit Perjury in Black Panther Voter Intimidation Case?)
“In your view, should voters in the United States be required to show official, government-issued identification — such as a drivers license — when they cast ballots on Election Day, or shouldn’t they have to do this?” pollsters asked a random sample of 2,047 adults in the country between July 18 and 29, 2012.
According to the graphs, 74% of respondents said voters “should be required” to show a valid form of identification, and 57% of the group said they felt “strongly” about the matter. The estimated margin of error is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
From there, the Washington Post tried to ascertain why people are in favor of voter ID laws.
“Do you think voter fraud (pause) that is, people voting who are not eligible to do so, or voters casting multiple ballots — is a major problem, a minor problem or not a problem in presidential elections?
A staggering 81% responded that voter fraud is a problem– 48% saying it is a “major” problem, and 33% saying it is a “minor” problem.
Just 14% of respondents said voter fraud is not a problem at the current time.
But what about discrimination? Democrats and the Attorney General Eric Holder have strongly maintained that voter ID laws are discriminatory against minorities– do the respondents not care?
(Related: NAACP Requires Two Forms of ID From Media To See Eric Holder Say Voter Laws Are Racist)
“Overall, which concerns you more, the potential for (voter fraud) or the potential for (denying eligible voters the right to vote)?”
Though not nearly as drastic a division as the previous answers, 44% of people said they are concerned about denying eligible voters their rights, but 49% apparently see voter fraud as a more tangible threat.
As the Washington Post pollsters neared the end of their questions, they essentially asked whether those in favor of voter ID laws are racist.
“To what extent, if at all, do you think SUPPORT for voter identification laws is based on genuine interest in fair elections?” they asked, with the presumed implication that supporters may just want to disenfranchise minorities.
57% of respondents said support for the laws is based on a “genuine interest in fair elections,” while 28% were in the middle.
Just 13% said support for voter ID laws is “not at all” based on the desire for fair elections.
After admitting the poll indicates that a majority of Americans support voter ID laws, the Washington Post seemingly felt the need to end on a sour note, essentially saying that people do not know what is best for them.
“[Big] majorities of those whom critics see as bearing the brunt of the laws are supportive of them,” the author wrote, “including about three-quarters of seniors and those with household incomes under $50,000 and two-thirds of non-whites.”
It is hard to claim that measures are being foisted on the country by alleged elitist racists, when “non-whites” and those making under $50,000 a year support the measures, but the Attorney General’s narrative has not yet changed.
Click here to read all 12 questions asked by the Washington Post.
(H/T: Weasel Zippers)
























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Comments (102)
Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:51pmBUSTED – Sorry ERIC HOLDER
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:42pmIf I have to show my drivers license for most things, I believe the most important thing we can do in America is Vote, and it’s too easy for voter fraud (come on, we’ve all heard the horror stories) and if Eric Holder has a problem with it, it’s because he wants to encourage voter fraud, because that’s the only way the disreputable democrats can keep in office any more.
Report Post »‘We all bundled, Eric’. In other words, we know what’s going on and your tendency to stick on the side of error and demonic actions.
encinom
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:45pmHuh? the Poll only proves the GOP lie machine is working overtime. How many actually cases of voter fraud have there been? The PA GOP Government could not point to a single one when asked by the Court. The truth is the GOP is attempting to steal an election by preventing Dems from voting. They are blocking veterans and seniors, college students and any other demograph they could. Truth is the GOP knows Romney/Ryan without election “help” is a loser.
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:39pmencinom
Report Post »If you don‘t look for fraud you don’t find it. Dead people vote in Seattle, felons in Minnesota. Boxes of ballots are “found” in Minnesota and San Francisco Bay. More people vote or are registered to vote in some precincts than physically live there. 2+ million people are registered in more than one state. 2+ million dead people populate the voter rolls.
dmerwin
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:42pm(CNSNews.com) – Regardless of how lively an election season might be, a new study shows that more 3.3 million voters on current registration rolls across the country are dead.
Another 12.9 million remain on voter registration lists in an area where they no longer live.
The analysis was conducted by the Aristotle International Inc., a technology company
specializing in political campaigns, developing software and databases for politicians.
In total that means about 8.9 percent of all registered voters fall under the category of “deadwood” voters on the rolls, the term for voters who should no longer be eligible to vote in a precinct.
This is in 2009.
Report Post »Encinomom is just wrong. Either a liar or an imbecile.
Individualism
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:51pmyou all should see the video of the guy going into to vote as Eric Holder, they don’t ask for anything, you can just go in and say your name. here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKAiOXlvUjQ
Report Post »historyguy48
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 9:10pmNo Encinom isn’t wrong, just a little confused. Perhaps after a few more glasses of milk and a couple more cookies he will get the rest he needs so his brain will function far better tomorrow.
Report Post »Of course, I am assuming he has a brain. Most lib‘s don’t.
Cataclysm
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 9:23pmLets see…. In My State…….
My Living Grandmother can vote in three towns.
My DEAD Grandfather can still vote in one
My Father can vote in three towns
My Mother can vote in two towns
I can vote in three towns.
Nope there is no problems with voter fraud and registration…….. so on and so forth….
lets see that would be 12 Votes for Rommey…
I bet Encinom would be crying foul then…..
Report Post »QuincySmith
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 10:19pmencinom;
If there is no problem with voter fraud, why do you lefties/progs fight voter ID? How do you explain (in one county) 500% more registered voters than residents?
Report Post »Lamarr01
Posted on August 15, 2012 at 6:26amIt really doesn’t matter who votes–Obama is going to WIN.
The electronic voting machines are easy to hack and don’t leave an audit trail. No state of county that uses these machines is interested in an “honest” election. Chicago politicians are expert at rigging the election.
An organization like Acorn was able to transport “voters” to various locations and use the names of registered voters that weren’t able to make it to the polls because they were dead. But this took a lot of organization and work.
It’s much easier to hack the voting machines and flip a few votes in the desired direction. There is still a possibility that the election will be postponed because of a “national emergency”, an October Surprise or violent demonstrations at polling places.
“It’s not the people who vote that count. It’s the people who count the votes.” (Josef Stalin)
Report Post »BaltimoreJoe
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:51pmLet’s see… 76% want to require voter IDs and Obama goes the other way.
75% didn’t want capNtrade but Obama did it through regulation
>70% didn’t want ObamaCare but here it is
>50M Gun Owners and bHO said he’ll take care of that next term
12M unemployed, another >12M U4-U6 that Barry won’t even admit exists?
Why would anyone vote for this turd? Should be a landslide.
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:28pmThe bigger question is………other than Democrats who need cheating to win, who exactly makes up the 25% who don’t think voter ID is needed? I really don’t trust any polls. I would think that a minimum of 90% of the population would support voter ID.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:46pm@copatriots
Report Post »Its the GOP that is bringing back Jim Crow and poll taxes, under the lie of fighting voter fraud (though they can not present one case). The GOP is attempting to rig elections.
RepubliCorp
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 6:06pmENCINOM
Report Post »Its the GOP that is bringing back Jim Crow and poll taxes. Why would the GOP impose a Demorat law? Get “History for Dummies”
encinom
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 6:35pmRepubliCorp
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 6:06pm
ENCINOM
Report Post »Its the GOP that is bringing back Jim Crow and poll taxes. Why would the GOP impose a Demorat law? Get “History for Dummies”
_________________________
Why, cause the after Johnson signed the Civil Rights acts those Dixi-crats followed Nixon’s call and Southern Strategy and joined the Republican party. You may want to continue to read your history, just not the fraud written by Barton.
justangry
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 6:42pm@Encinom, The Republicans have already rigged the elections. I can‘t for the life of me figure out why you lefties haven’t used this information in your superpac attack adds unless the prospect of going against someone that actually has principles actually scares the crap out of you guys.
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:46pmencinom
Report Post »Prove your allegation. Having a free picture ID does not cost anyone anything, thus the word “free”. That eliminates the “poll tax” argument. The ID would be for everyone that destroys the “Jim Crow” argument.
KenInIL
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 10:57pmThe companion legislation is to have the voter put the last 5 digits of their state id on their absentee ballot — and to check them!
Report Post »00100111
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:50pmGonna go with “duh”, here.
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:49pmI would be proud to show my voter id if I needed one. God Bless America
Report Post »normalmom
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:07pmMe too, I can’t figure out why such a big deal by the democrats. You can get a photo ID here for 5 bucks and welfare or worksource will usually cover that. Most jobs want a photo copy of ID and a social security card. They want to be able to win because of dead and illegal votes.
Report Post »Wethepeoplehavehadenough
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 11:04pmyou also have to show a valid ID to apply for benefits and to cash your welfare checks as well
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on August 15, 2012 at 6:53amI had to show my drivers license to get my library card.
Epic Holdup and the DOJ are beinging these cases to help ACORN type union organizations register and vote dead people, felons, and cartoon characters. Its alright to send voter registerations out with welfare checks (which they have to show ID to qualify for).
Remeber yo watch the other hand – these guys came out of Chitown where the motto is vote early, vote often.
OMG Nov 6, 2012
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:43pmI became Republican so I can live forever. Apparently we never die because the dead always vote Democrat!
Report Post »pissantno.10
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:29pmdang i will have remember that.
Report Post »Female
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:42pmTo cash a check, buy booze, etc…requires id…I don’t see a problem providing ID to do one of the most important priviledges which is to vote!
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 6:52pmExcellent point. Makes a mockery of their argument. Am sure these guys have ID for their booze and ” medical marijuana ( wink, wink )
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:40pmLike Obama cares what the overwhelming majority of Americans thinks.
Report Post »Locutus
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:35pmIf liberals deserve any praise at all, it’s that they never give up. Even when their ideas have been shown to be out of sync with the great majority of the people. I still can’t believe that we let folks get away with calling this place a Democracy, but even the Conservative politicians do it now so I guess that‘s just what we’ll call it. But if we are a Democracy, shouldn’t liberals therefore aknowledge that, if the mob truely rules, the mob has ruled. Overwhelmingly on this issue as well as others, including same sex hitching, the people have spoken. And in most places the mob has said that these liberal ideas are not to be enacted. Where does our precious Democracy stand otherwise?
Report Post »Wethepeoplehavehadenough
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 11:09pmactually were are a Republic, not a democracy. the founding fathers agreed, that a democracy was not a viable government under which to get away from the basis of why we set up our own government in the firdt place. go read the definition of both a democracy and a republic as a form of government.
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:30pmGotta go to JAIL
Report Post »West Coast Patriot
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:40pmSouth Philly, Maybe you will see Mitt in there: http://www.veteranstoday.com/2012/08/12/foreign-cash-disqualifies-romney-from-presidential-bid/
Report Post »BaltimoreJoe
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:55pmYou should take care to read the bio’s of the people you trust westcoastpatriot. That rag site is a load of pro-islamic anti jewish crap.
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:08pm@WEST COAST
Apparenty you missed Obama’s fund raisers he has while he was in Europe. Or failed to mention it.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:56pmSquidVet, We KNOW Obama is as shady as they come. He’s the worst President the country has ever had, with exception of perhaps Wilson. We libertarians/constitutionalists don’t bring up Obama and his dirty deeds all the time because, GB does a tremendous job of exposing him and everyone here with exception to a few lefty trolls already believes he’s rotten to the core, so it’s kind of beating a dead horse. Just so you know.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 6:49pmSouth: Time for the resurrection of the so-called Ron Paul Trolls. Am sure they will put on a show in their Ron Paul hoodies at the Republican Convention. They are actually anarchists who do not believe in government. They hate rules and authority. The are the anti-religions; anti-Isreal; anti-military; anti-capitalism. Well , just professional ANTI everything except a tasty “revolution” which is what they are hoping to start. Been reading their comments in the NYT since at least 2010. Thought maybe they were in lock down after the Sikh temple shootings.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:31pm@Barber, Really? None of that is true at all. At least for me. Of course you demonstrate your collectivist thinking with your comment, making me think you’re not all that enlightened. Why do you always go for the personal attacks to discredit us instead of arguing the points we make?
Report Post »West Coast Patriot
Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:34pmBarber, “They hate rules and authority. The are the anti-religions; anti-Isreal; anti-military; anti-capitalism.”
Report Post »You always show your ignorance on here. I love the rules in the Constitution, I hate “Bill of Rights” killing legislation like the Patriot Act and NDAA and believe anyone who is for them or voted yes on these are not true Americans.
I am a Christian, baptized Mormon and truly belive in the “Golden Rule.”
I am in support of Israel, I just believe we can best suit them by not giving money to their enemies, letting them be sovereign and not tying their hands when it comes to defending themselves.
I am a U.S. Navy Veteran and have all the respect in the world for our military, that is why I do not want to see our young men and women putting their lives on the line for unconstitutional police actions.
We have been getting away from true capitalism for a long time now, where have you been? What was it George Bush said? “We have to abandon the free market in order to save it?” Give me a break.
Wise up sir before you and your entire family’s generations are living in poverty and suffering forever.
cookcountypatriot
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:27pmyes and the remaining 25 percent are progressive white slaves and russell simmons people…lol
Report Post »jackact
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:26pmAre you listening Mr. Holder?
Report Post »Shilling voter fraud for the DEMOCRATIC party is not the function of the DOJ.
Obama is going to lose anyway.
You are already under a 41 count indictment for Fast & Furious so cut Obama lose.
He is going to throw you under the bus anyway.
Come on dude work with us.
Or go to jail.
blanco5
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:18pmNow how in the world do you expect illegals and dead people to vote? Don’t forget….vote early and vote often!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:28pmShow me your Tax Payment… and I will accept it as your Voting Right!
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:17pmI don’t know what good it will do. I‘m so disgusted by what I’ve seen by the primaries, that I think the reform should take place somewhere other than the people showing up to the polls. Seriously I don’t know what the Republicans are bitching about. It‘s like it’s just a big show to be honest. There’s all kinds of weird stuff that went on, and no one in the media is picking up on it. Why is that? No sir, I’ve lost faith in the process. It doesn’t matter if WE have to show id or not. The outcomes are predetermined almost as if it were a WWF match.
Report Post »BaltimoreJoe
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:00pmNot surprised you have ‘angry’ in your nickname…you’re gonna have more to be angry over in the next 4 unless you get out there and vote for Mitt… we need a 3rd party but there wasn’t enough time to build it this time around. If Repubics can’t make a dent in our problems we have four years to build one.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:36pmYeah, that’s not going to happen. I wasn’t going to vote for the draft dodging chickenhawk that supports the Patriot Act and NDAA to begin with. You add that the lying-ass Neocons from the Bush admin that are advising him on national security, coupled with the rampant fraud, corruption and intimidation by the RNC throughout the primaries and I’d rather vote for Rosanne. I’ll write in Paul or vote Libertarian or Constitutionalist party myself. I don‘t believe the establishment R’s are even trying to win. I think they’re just giving us the illusion that we have a choice. And all y’all that think Ryan will help you out might want to check this out. I’m sure the monsters from the DNC will be putting it out there soon enough.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/13/paul-ryan-sold-shares-banking-crisis
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 6:41pmBaltimore: Sadly, Guess he isn’t ” just – angry “…..LOL
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:13pmWhat’s your story anyway, Barber? I just have to know what made you jump on the Romney train from day one. I’m just curious. I’m guessing that you either have Mormon blinders on, love Obama’s policies, but hate black people, or are a Fox news junky and refuse to believe anything but O’Reilly and Hannity. Obviously you’re a GB fan, but it wasn’t obvious that GB was in the tank for Romney until late in the primaries. You said the other day that the media is nothing but lefty internationalists, so why go for the candidate those lefty internationalists shoved down our throats? Honestly, what’s your deal, man?
Report Post »pissantno.10
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:40pmroll ya a smoke just anger you will never get any way . look down that barrel and see the light.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 9:46pmYou first
Report Post »HKS
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:17pmAnyone that doesn’t support voter ID laws are to dumb to vote anyway.
Report Post »mdp84003
Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:01amYes, If s person has no photo ID then he must be too stupid to drive, work, have a bank account, and therefore is too stupid to vote.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:14pmThis issue has been fought over for years by politicians with skin in the game. Put this on the ballot and be done with it already. Arguing against this is so lame people are dumb founded by whats going on. Any argument against this only benefits crooked politicians. The real voters are not this dumb.
Report Post »constitutionisbest4all
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:19pmwe voted for id in Texas and it passed, but with crooked politicians in Washington, the law is null and void
Report Post »mikedy
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:14pmObama is against it because he KNOWs he cannot win on legal votes. That is why he is fighting Ohio to make sure the votes of Ohio’s over seas soldiers do not count. yet he can say things like all people should have the chance to vote in Florida. All people being dead people, illegals and pets he does not mean legal votes. What a slimy administration. It is beyond me how anyone could say this is a good thing to do away with soldiers votes yet he does it with a straight face.
Report Post »Viking64
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:13pmToday my wife and I voted in Florida, we had to show our voter registration cards, drivers licenses and we were still checked twice with signature verification. This is how it should be done, when lawful people vote, one’s that get a six pack of beer, two packs of cigarettes and are bused two different voter areas, deserve jail time, along with the democratic frauds that bus them . Funny most of these same no ID voters are spotted cashing entiltements checks with ID at local banks and businesses???
Report Post »bleuze
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:10pmVoter laws are need by November 2012 so that the same guy in Vegas with the help of Acorn doe not vote 72 times for Obama!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:08pm75% of Americans…. is probably about 50% of the Actual Voters!
Report Post »okredstate
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:22pmLuke: I don’t believe they asked the questions to children and incarcerated felons. Therefore, 75% of Americans, is 75% of the voting electorate. Think before you spew.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:07pmI’ve always found the argument that requiring ID at the polls is thinly veiled racism amusing.
Report Post »capitalismrocks
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:01pmI want MY vote to count, and not be voided by a dead guy, Mickey Mouse or a dog who‘s been registered by the Democratic party because they can’t get to a voter registration office…..
If we DON’T protect our votes then our election system is meaningless, if the DEM’s really wanted to do something about HELPING the poor, infirm, minorities, etc…. they’d ask for some kind of $20 reimbursement to go get a voter ID to pay for someone to “git on the bus” and bring their birth certificate and get a voter ID card…
If you need ID for a library book, welfare, unemployment check, EBT card and all the other POOR-PEOPLE things, why the heck don’t you get people a damned Voter ID card !!!
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:13pmWhen I went to vote, I saw all kinds of dead guys/zombies leaving the precinct after having voted. One stepped out in front of me and I hit him doing 50+. That was pretty wild.
Report Post »Lamarr01
Posted on August 15, 2012 at 6:46amYou are guilty of making a specious, fallacious and unfounded argument.
I never saw a poor black person check out a liberry book. Books are like Kryptonite to many Black folks. Espesully, the wons without no pictures. In my experience, the only poor black people in the liberry are drunk, sleeping or both.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:54pmWe aren’t as stupid as the government thinks we are. I am assuming the 25% are illegals or progressive blacks?
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:10pmI went to vote in last week’s primary elections and no sooner than I walked in the door the little old ladies were demanding my drivers license like fricking octopi. And you mean to tell me that if I were a young black guy I could just walk in and vote without being set upon? If that is the case, that’s BS. The Dems can’t win without cheating. It is what they do and what they are.
Report Post »okredstate
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 4:19pmIs there any other kind?
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:53pm…
Report Post »For years, I thought it was the law, to bring ID to vote.
Where I used to vote, they always asked for my driver’s license or other valid ID, to prove that I was who I was claiming to be.
LeadNotFollow
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:57pm…
Report Post »I very much support voter ID.
It greatly reduces voter fraud.
LeadNotFollow
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:58pm…
Report Post »Voter ID.
A Democrats worst nightmare.
progressiveslayer
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:52pmIt’s just the communists currently in power are against voter id laws,something about making voter fraud harder to commit bothers them.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:51pmNo opinion. Who in the heck checks no opinion? The kid that played banjo in “Deliverance” has an opinion.
Report Post »Impenitent
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:00pmHe played brillantly…
(Autism takes many forms)
Report Post »