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I am deeply concerned
over the effects of Proposition 52 on our elections. Should the
measure pass this November, the integrity and accountability of our
electoral process will possibly be jeopardized to the point of
illegitimacy.
Proposition 52 will allow anyone to register to vote at their local
polling place the day of the election. The measure, however, does
not allow for any safeguards to prevent voter fraud such as
requiring a photo ID to prove identification. Instead, the measure
merely requires utility bills, credit card bills, bank statements,
preprinted checks or deposit slips, or any other piece of mail
addressed to the voter at his or her current residence. This laundry
list of supposed “proof of identity” and loose interpretation of
“valid identification” will not only make it easier to commit voter
fraud, but it will also make investigating such misdeeds nearly
impossible.
Currently, should any question of a voter’s eligibility arise, a
voter may still cast a provisional ballot, which is then set aside
and counted once its validity has been established. This process
ensures that no lawfully registered voter shall be denied the right
to cast a ballot in any election.
The initiative also requires the county registrar to station an
additional worker at the polling place. This would mean recruitment
and training, as well as paying for thousands of additional poll
workers, without sufficient state funding to cover the costs. This
would be an expensive and time-consuming order for our already
overburdened election officials struggling to fill existing poll
worker positions.
Voter registration has never been easier in California. The
“Motor-Voter” program, access to registration forms on-line, and the
registration blackout period being shortened to just 14 days makes
same day registration virtually moot. In fact, voting has been made
successively easier over the last 20 years, yet turnout continues to
decline. Changing our voter registration system is not the answer to
increasing voter turnout. Participation is a product of the desire
for informed citizenship. That decision is made well before voting
day arrives.
Other opponents of Prop.52 include the California Association of
Counties (CSAC), Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona, the Gann
Taxpayer Association, the Association for Los Angeles Deputy
Sheriffs (ALADS), Women Prosecutors of California and the author of
the three strikes legislation, Mike Reynolds.
Proposition 52 will only undermine our democracy by creating new
pathways to fraud and placing burdensome new mandates on our already
overwhelmed and under funded county election officials.
I hope that you will join me and the Los Angeles County Board of
Supervisors in opposing Prop. 52.
DON KNABE
Supervisor, Fourth District
County of Los Angeles
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