In many countries around the world where democracy is fresh and the goal is full participation, all you need to do to vote is to show up and have your hand marked when you have voted. In America, where our democracy is older and the model for the world, the right to vote has become more complicated and with that complication the number of disenfranchised voters has grown.
We want to make sure that everyone votes only once and that every person's vote counts; we all understand criminals may commit fraud when they try to vote. Unfortunately now, though, the politics of throwing out the dirty word of "fraud" has made the system very complicated for someone without an advanced degree. In addition, the stories of fraud that are proven later to be false create the illusion that our democratic elections somehow are corrupted.
Our embattled and bruised electronic voting system has finally reached full operational status. It is ready despite a lawsuit and a whole lot of public political drama, but it will be ready and all voters can feel confident their vote counts and no one else's will count twice. Voters can feel secure that all felons are tagged and not allowed to vote. They also should know that no one without U.S. citizenship will vote. What we cannot know is how many people will just stay home because of the lies, public drama and illusion of fraud.
Be prepared that if you have moved or are registering for the first time, you will be in for a full page of paperwork at the polls. The form will ask for your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, new address, previous address, age, full name as it appears on your driver's license, proof of your current residence with a bill or other legal document, and the certification that you are an eligible voter via affidavit. You do not need a driver's license or Social Security number to vote; if you have neither, you still will be given a regular ballot. No matter what do not be deterred.
Never walk away from a polling place and please do not stay home. It may be a bit bruised because of the politics of the day, but Wisconsin's election system is one of the best in the country. As we enter the presidential election cycle, plan to vote no matter what. Let's vote this year like our children are dying for our democracy, because they are. Let's vote this year like our democracy is new and we love it above all else, because it should be.
If you have questions or concerns about your legal right to vote and about elections, please don't hesitate to contact my office at (888) 549-0027 or (608) 266-6670.
- Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, represents the 27th Senate District, which includes Green County and portions of Dane, Rock and Lafayette counties.
We want to make sure that everyone votes only once and that every person's vote counts; we all understand criminals may commit fraud when they try to vote. Unfortunately now, though, the politics of throwing out the dirty word of "fraud" has made the system very complicated for someone without an advanced degree. In addition, the stories of fraud that are proven later to be false create the illusion that our democratic elections somehow are corrupted.
Our embattled and bruised electronic voting system has finally reached full operational status. It is ready despite a lawsuit and a whole lot of public political drama, but it will be ready and all voters can feel confident their vote counts and no one else's will count twice. Voters can feel secure that all felons are tagged and not allowed to vote. They also should know that no one without U.S. citizenship will vote. What we cannot know is how many people will just stay home because of the lies, public drama and illusion of fraud.
Be prepared that if you have moved or are registering for the first time, you will be in for a full page of paperwork at the polls. The form will ask for your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, new address, previous address, age, full name as it appears on your driver's license, proof of your current residence with a bill or other legal document, and the certification that you are an eligible voter via affidavit. You do not need a driver's license or Social Security number to vote; if you have neither, you still will be given a regular ballot. No matter what do not be deterred.
Never walk away from a polling place and please do not stay home. It may be a bit bruised because of the politics of the day, but Wisconsin's election system is one of the best in the country. As we enter the presidential election cycle, plan to vote no matter what. Let's vote this year like our children are dying for our democracy, because they are. Let's vote this year like our democracy is new and we love it above all else, because it should be.
If you have questions or concerns about your legal right to vote and about elections, please don't hesitate to contact my office at (888) 549-0027 or (608) 266-6670.
- Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, represents the 27th Senate District, which includes Green County and portions of Dane, Rock and Lafayette counties.
