The will of Nebraska voters is at risk of not being addressed accurately
Dear Editor:
LB535, the Photo Voter ID bill will be heading to the floor shortly to be debated. Nebraska voters want this bill to be legitimate and worthwhile, and currently the rumors of what the amended version of this bill will be do NOT sound good. Likely, the allowed “Photo IDs” that will be allowed include student ID cards, have you ever seen a foreign student get one of those? How does that verify citizenship?
Even more of an issue is that likely only a “witness signature” will be added to absentee ballots to “verify” the voter. This does NOTHING to prove the legitimacy of ANY ballot! How hard would it be for fraudsters to just sign off on stolen or fake ballots? The truth that identity theft doesn’t only happen in person seems to be completely lost if this is how the law is written.
NEGOP Political Director, Todd Watson shared an incredible summary of the issues, in that summary he states:
“While the left continues to ignore the will of the people regarding elections, the media provides their cover and tries to push the law to the left. Ill-informed outlets orate the falsehood of “Easy to Vote and Hard to Cheat.” The truth is that easier to vote makes it easier to cheat. The Republican Party desires that every US citizen has the opportunity to vote in a safe and secure manner for each election. Unfortunately, if there is one issue that can divide the people and those in government (including Republicans)…it is election integrity. However, we are here to represent the will of the people and that is STRONG VOTER ID as expressed by our Central Committee and the will of the people at the ballot box.
Despite the attempts of those against safe and secure elections, the fact remains: the people passed a Constitutional Amendment. The amendment is not vague. The intent of the people was clear. An ID must be shown before a vote is cast. The amendment language…. “Before casting a ballot in any election, a qualified voter shall present valid photographic identification in a manner specified by the Legislature”
The term Qualified voter needs to be clarified because it does not currently exist in Nebraska statute. Once that is clarified, it is clear who must present the ID. It is the “Qualified Voter”. Not their friend, not the ballot harvester, not a good person….the qualified voter shall present the photo ID “Before Casting”. The manner specified on how to present the photo ID is specified by the Legislature. The “Who” shall present the ID is very clear.
Finally, what is a valid photo ID? We have already seen the Democrats introduce a voter ID bill that had valid ID’s being cited that didn’t even have photos. Those should be invalid as the amendment clearly calls for photographic identification. The ID must have a photo! In addition, a valid photo ID should clearly certify the person meets the standard of ensuring we have a valid “Qualified Voter”. In the end, the key is that the proper ID must be presented by the qualified voter BEFORE FORMALLY DEPOSITING THE BALLOT. The amendment does not say showing the ID before receiving a ballot is satisfactory or that showing an ID after depositing the ballot is satisfactory. The amendment is clear. Before the ballot is formally deposited (cast), the qualified voter (not their friend) must present their photographic identification.”
The will of Nebraska voters is at risk of not being addressed accurately. Senators need to hear once again from the Second House that we have nothing without honest and safe elections! Please contact their offices today!
Melissa Sauder, Perkins County Chair
District 311 Committeewoman