Dianne Hamilton
I was appalled when I saw that the Association of New Mexico County Clerks supports House Bill 123 and Senate Bill 161 allowing same day voter registration as the bills stand now (the Albuquerque Journal, Jan. 31). Neither bill requires photo identification of any kind.
The bills are identical, and the language used is misleading. Although a photo ID, utility bill, bank statement, etc., may be presented, it is not necessary. This legislation also allows an individual to register and vote by providing “a verbal or written statement by the voter of the voter’s name, registration address and year of birth; provided, however, that the statement of the voter’s name need not contain the voter’s middle initial or suffix.”
Should either of these bills become law, individuals will be able to go to polling places during early voting, register to vote and cast a ballot without showing any proof of their identities.
Think about what this could mean. Special interest groups on both sides of the political aisle could have their people travel the state, registering and voting, giving names and addresses they make up on the spot. They could hit the same polling places over and over – every time poll workers changed shifts, they could reappear and claim to be somebody else.
Not only would it result in rampant fraud; detection would be virtually impossible.
Already, citizens have reported that they were disenfranchised during the 2008 election. A number of NMSU students, many voting for the first time ever, were told at the polls that someone had already voted for them. This can only be due to the fact that currently New Mexico has no requirement for identification at the polls; one must only recite a name and address to vote.
I appreciate the fact that same-day registration will make it more convenient for our citizens to vote. If a photo ID requirement is added to the legislation, I will wholeheartedly support such an initiative. However, as the bills stand now, we will only ensure that “drive-by voting” will become the crime of the future.
In the meantime, if you are concerned enough about this – or other pending legislation – to ask for an audience with Governor Richardson, make sure you bring a photo ID. It’s a requirement for all visitors to the governor’s office.
Hamilton is a Republican state representative representing District 38.