How to Handle Voter Fraud
The
left has long used voter fraud to stay in power. Some conservatives
see no way to fight this pox: no matter what happens, they seem to feel,
the left will end up stealing the election. There is no doubt that the
totalitarian left will follow the rules established by Marx and Lenin,
which permit any dishonest conduct as long as it leads to victory.
Feigning concern that state laws that require voter identification somehow "intimidate" voters is one predictable mantra of "voter suppression." Paying operatives to register as voters people who are not eligible and even imaginary people is standard operating procedure. The counting of votes is a pure disgrace in many areas. What can be done?
It is vital not to become demoralized. The demoralization of conservatives is a principal goal of the left. When we get discouraged, they win.
We ought always to assume that the left will cheat if it can. Certain outrageous examples like the 2008 Senate election in Minnesota should make all decent people despair. But there is cause for hope. Consider these three examples:
The infamous "Secretary of State Project" tried to plant "progressive" moles into elective state offices that had long been apolitical administrative jobs. The scheme worked in 2006, but conservative fought back. In the 2010 midterm, Republicans won secretary of state races, including some in states that tilt Democrat -- Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, and Washington.
The left's voter fraud plans surely include Senate races, but in the last four elections, Democrats have lost more and more "close" Senate elections (races won by three percentage points of less). In 2006, Democrats won three out of four of these close Senate elections; in 2008, they won two out of three. In 2010, Republicans won two out of three of these close races; and in 2012, Republicans also won two out of three close races.
Finally, consider the desperate, savage, and unprincipled attack the left waged against Wisconsin Republicans. In June 2011, Judge Prosser survived a hotly contested and close retention election. In June 2012, Governor Walker won his recall. Wisconsin Senate Republicans held their own in the various 2012 recall races, and this included close ones.
This does not mean that the problem of voter fraud is not serious for conservatives, but it clearly can be defeated. The best answer, as I have stated before, is to end the principal source of mischief: the Australian Ballot, or the "Secret Ballot." If votes are cast publicly, then votes cannot be stolen. The registration process, the counting of ballots, and all issues related to these processes are patent. During half of our history, there was not secret ballot, and although votes were bribed by big machines like Tammany Hall, the votes themselves were counted fairly.
Some consider this too radical, and no one has proposed this certain cure. What else can conservatives do?
Many state and local prosecutors are elected. State attorneys general, district attorneys, and county attorneys usually face voters in elections. These politicians generally make the decision about whether to prosecute those who have engaged in probable voter fraud. Conservatives ought to make it clear to these politicians that voter fraud is the top item on their agenda, and that candidates who promised to be very tough on voter fraud will get their support.
Another related approach would be to have state legislatures create special prosecutorial offices whose sole duty is to investigate and prosecute voter fraud. State employees, like those who work in this special prosecutor's office, will have a strong incentive to root out voter fraud and to quite publicly prosecute it. The bigger the problem they uncover, the more appropriations and authority their office will receive.
States could also add heavy civil penalties for anyone who engages in voter fraud. Because the protections that accused persons receive in criminal prosecutions do not exist in civil actions, winning a civil case for fines and damages would be much easier and yet would be a powerful deterrent. Although a state officer might pursue this sanction, laws could allow injured individuals and organizations to bring such lawsuits. State laws allowing private parties to bring action under state laws specifically allowing that exist in many areas already.
Republicans today control both houses of the state legislature and the governor's office in a number of states that seem to have serious problems with voter fraud like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Florida. Voter fraud is seldom prosecuted, and that is a principal reason why it is tough to fight. Take big, firm steps to let those who steal votes know that they will be punished for their crimes and the left will find it harder and harder to steal elections without consequence.
Feigning concern that state laws that require voter identification somehow "intimidate" voters is one predictable mantra of "voter suppression." Paying operatives to register as voters people who are not eligible and even imaginary people is standard operating procedure. The counting of votes is a pure disgrace in many areas. What can be done?
It is vital not to become demoralized. The demoralization of conservatives is a principal goal of the left. When we get discouraged, they win.
We ought always to assume that the left will cheat if it can. Certain outrageous examples like the 2008 Senate election in Minnesota should make all decent people despair. But there is cause for hope. Consider these three examples:
The infamous "Secretary of State Project" tried to plant "progressive" moles into elective state offices that had long been apolitical administrative jobs. The scheme worked in 2006, but conservative fought back. In the 2010 midterm, Republicans won secretary of state races, including some in states that tilt Democrat -- Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, and Washington.
The left's voter fraud plans surely include Senate races, but in the last four elections, Democrats have lost more and more "close" Senate elections (races won by three percentage points of less). In 2006, Democrats won three out of four of these close Senate elections; in 2008, they won two out of three. In 2010, Republicans won two out of three of these close races; and in 2012, Republicans also won two out of three close races.
Finally, consider the desperate, savage, and unprincipled attack the left waged against Wisconsin Republicans. In June 2011, Judge Prosser survived a hotly contested and close retention election. In June 2012, Governor Walker won his recall. Wisconsin Senate Republicans held their own in the various 2012 recall races, and this included close ones.
This does not mean that the problem of voter fraud is not serious for conservatives, but it clearly can be defeated. The best answer, as I have stated before, is to end the principal source of mischief: the Australian Ballot, or the "Secret Ballot." If votes are cast publicly, then votes cannot be stolen. The registration process, the counting of ballots, and all issues related to these processes are patent. During half of our history, there was not secret ballot, and although votes were bribed by big machines like Tammany Hall, the votes themselves were counted fairly.
Some consider this too radical, and no one has proposed this certain cure. What else can conservatives do?
Many state and local prosecutors are elected. State attorneys general, district attorneys, and county attorneys usually face voters in elections. These politicians generally make the decision about whether to prosecute those who have engaged in probable voter fraud. Conservatives ought to make it clear to these politicians that voter fraud is the top item on their agenda, and that candidates who promised to be very tough on voter fraud will get their support.
Another related approach would be to have state legislatures create special prosecutorial offices whose sole duty is to investigate and prosecute voter fraud. State employees, like those who work in this special prosecutor's office, will have a strong incentive to root out voter fraud and to quite publicly prosecute it. The bigger the problem they uncover, the more appropriations and authority their office will receive.
States could also add heavy civil penalties for anyone who engages in voter fraud. Because the protections that accused persons receive in criminal prosecutions do not exist in civil actions, winning a civil case for fines and damages would be much easier and yet would be a powerful deterrent. Although a state officer might pursue this sanction, laws could allow injured individuals and organizations to bring such lawsuits. State laws allowing private parties to bring action under state laws specifically allowing that exist in many areas already.
Republicans today control both houses of the state legislature and the governor's office in a number of states that seem to have serious problems with voter fraud like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Florida. Voter fraud is seldom prosecuted, and that is a principal reason why it is tough to fight. Take big, firm steps to let those who steal votes know that they will be punished for their crimes and the left will find it harder and harder to steal elections without consequence.
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