When you go into a 7-Eleven and you want to buy some smokes what do you have to do?
Show an ID for proof of age.
When you apply for a loan at a financial institution what do you have to do?
Show an ID for proof that it's you.
When you make a purchase with a check what do you have to do?
Show your acceptable ID.
These are just a few of the scenarios where a legal form of identification is required to perform certain transactions or comply with directives.
And we do it.
And why?
In virtually all cases that's the law.
In order to purchase alcohol, the legal age limit is 21. IDs are required to prove the buyer is 21 or over in order for the vendor to legally sell the booze. This goes especially for cocktails is bars and restaurants.
If you don't have ID as proof that you're of legal age then you don't drink.
I don't think I'm hearing any protests.
If you don't have proof of US citizenship then you don't vote.
So why do some of you literally lose your stuff when the same common sense logic is applied to voting?
Oh, that's not you?
Well, how about your congressional delegation?
Representative Jill Tokuda and Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono adamantly voted last month against the SAVE Act representing our state and any semblance of commonsense and logic.
I hope you noticed that I did not mention Representative Ed Case.
Why?
Because he represented our state with commonsense and logic reaffirming the legal definition that one must be a citizen of the United States in order to legally vote. He was one of only four democrats in the House that defied party politics and used his office to declare you must show proof of citizenship to vote.
Thank you, Rep. Case, for your statesmanship and not partisanship.
What is the SAVE Act?
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, or "SAVE America Act," is a U.S. House-passed bill (H.R. 8281/H.R. 7296) that mandates proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. It amends the 1993 National Voter Registration Act to require documentary evidence, such as a passport or birth certificate, and compels states to remove noncitizens from voter rolls.
A clarification of perspective.
You can vote if, as Ballotpedia describes:
- You are a U.S. citizen (some areas allow non-citizens to vote in local elections only), including:
- U.S. citizens living outside of the United States.
- U.S. citizens who were born abroad and have never lived in the United States. Your eligibility to vote is based on the state where your parents last lived or were registered to vote.
- Dual citizens living in the United States or abroad
You cannot vote:
- Those who are non-citizens, including permanent legal residents, cannot vote in federal, state, and most local elections.
- Some people cannot vote after being convicted of a felony or if they are currently serving time for other types of crimes. Rules are different in each state.
- If you have a mental disability, you may not be able to vote. Rules vary by state.
- U.S. citizens residing in U.S. territories cannot vote for president in the general election. (ballotpedia.com)
The law is quite clear:
Federal law states that it is unlawful for a noncitizen to vote in federal elections and establishes the punishment of a fine, one year in prison, or both for violation of the law.
So if common sense, logic and federal law stipulates a non-citizen voting in federal elections is illegal then why the crying from detractors?
The objections, in summary:
- Would make it harder to register and stay registered.
- Ban most online and mail voter registration.
- Purge voter rolls without notice.
- It's a voter suppression bill. (rockthevote.com)
- Eligible voters unnecessarily burdened.
- People of color unfairly discriminated due to lack of birth certificates, passports and difficulties accessing them. (lwv.org)
Wait a second...
The SAVE Act makes it "harder," voters "burdened," "difficulties accessing"?
Where is our great reputation of resolve in our people?
The vote of an American citizen should be exactly that — a vote of an American citizen.
If you can produce ID to buy booze, write a check or get a loan you can definitely get documents to give you a powerful voice in our elections process.
Just get a bloody birth certificate. It takes an online application, a phone call or go to the state agency in the state where you were born and just get it. Put it on your to-do list and get it done.
If you're in America and you're not a citizen, then you are a visitor. If you are here illegally, you are a criminal.
The power of the vote is the most influential right we have in our representative democracy. Why do you suppose there is such passionate debate to ensure its sanctity, its accuracy? Because it's what stands in the way of America devolving into nations and governments from where others are fleeing.
You still don't like the SAVE Act?
Then blame those that allowed millions and millions of illegals to pour through our borders.
You know who they are.
That's what is compelling this administration to not only secure the borders but ensure the legal right — no, the legal duty — of true Americans to vote.
Still not convinced?
Then just sit on your hands a let the adults get the job done.
