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Law and Political Science Professor Richard L. Hasen talks with Alan about the intricacies of new voter ID laws and who they will affect.
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Going to welcome professor Richard Hanson.
He is author of the new book over voting wars from Florida 2000 the next election meltdown.
And the professor.
Is but I would mean that show thank you sir for coming on the pro game your -- professor of law and political science at UC Irvine School of Law.
Very timely book -- What is voter ID all amount.
Well voter ideas.
-- it's part of the battle between Republicans and Democrats over how we're gonna run our elections and Republicans have been calling for.
Voter ID laws that they passed them -- a number of states and Democrats in opposing them Republicans say it's necessary to have those laws to prevent fraud and Democrats say it's the kind of voter suppression.
-- -- How well I think that if they're both -- Republicans are wrong in the claiming that.
There's a lot of voter fraud out there.
That could be stopped with a voter.
-- The only kind of fraud that -- -- can prevent its impersonation fraud right but the polls and say that I knew it turned out that almost never happens.
But there -- some Democrats to.
Tend to exaggerate the effects of these laws and save it millions of people will be disenfranchisement.
Fact it -- Like they've had many fewer people will be denied the vote.
And numbers.
So what you're saying is Republicans have a very bad intent here to get people in the vote -- -- people who voting.
Democrats who really want people to vote nevertheless.
Aren't going to be hurt by -- to the extent they -- Well I don't think all the Republicans have been content just like I don't think -- -- Democrats.
You know could care less about fraud I do think it's.
Those who studied this to claim that there's a lot of fraud general talk about different kinds of fraud absentee ballot fraud registration fraud not which is connected to voter ID.
But if you look at surveys of Republicans.
Many more than believe the voter fraud -- serious problem the Democrats Democrats think depression is the big problem.
And it's just a different line.
But the net result of what Republicans are doing is voter suppression because when you ask an elderly person you got -- -- 200 miles to get the bright -- Mormon might be.
Because a certain state won't accept any kind of -- like Pennsylvania.
Isn't that a form a voter suppression.
Well I think -- the attention it's trying to stop that person from voting even knowing that this person is eligible to vote you could call that depression but.
That's not.
I think the sole motivation -- -- or or the motivation -- all.
Not all of -- you had only had a majority leader of the Eric -- Pennsylvania legislature saying.
Well you know we've got voter ID what is gonna help Romney when they see this some of them do enough of them do.
As a way to victory.
Yes I think he's explained that comic is saying now -- will be able to win because swiftly eliminating fraud from our elections but certainly you know you're -- They're well there there isn't it they're actually.
It's a record of fraud in Pennsylvania but not the kind of fraud and be stopped by a voter ID.
So the kind of throw that actually takes place -- the kind of fraud that happens an absentee ballots right.
I would think the two biggest kinds of fraud we just thought an extensive survey fifty state survey they cannot from the and 21 -- -- organization showed its absentee ballot fraud.
That's also election officials who are corrupt.
Or manipulating the -- So the problem -- the voters.
Well the problem can be the voters -- -- -- -- people are selling.
Their ballots so I'd better we've had situations like that.
But no organized effort I in the last generation researching a book I couldn't find a single.
Election where the results could have been called into question by impersonation fraud people that's -- Saddam what is still a lot of people don't do what you need.
-- showing up at the Election Day.
And -- present themselves with someone they're not which is what we associate with the kind of -- that requires voter -- -- that's not happening.
Absolutely right and -- if you really want -- still election you need to.
Go and pay people see how they voted collect absentee -- -- and -- or go on manipulate the ballots behind the scenes that's how people like me.
But I -- I can't you you seem to be little more inclined to have a benign view of what Republicans are doing here.
Maybe it's because some -- liberal Democrat but -- seems to me that is a organize ever get this mostly these red states are purple states.
That are really working to get.
People not to vote and why should Democrats want to expand the number of people who vote the Republicans historically what have fewer people.
But Democrats think if you make it easier to vote the most casual voters voters were more likely to vote democratic people who moved people who are poor.
These are people who are going to be less likely -- register to vote.
Democrats want to make it is easiest possible for people to vote.
Republicans say that if you make it easy for people to vote you're actually going to be opening up the door to fraud.
I think there's also an undercurrent here that -- -- people at least some Republicans have said.
We should make it harder for people to vote so that only people who care enough for invested enough in the system should be allowed to cast the vote which I find it.
Being conflicting with our basic.
Well let's hear Kevin I think I'd be very happy if they ban birthers from voting I'm just kidding but I mean you know stupid people should not be allowed to vote -- -- think.
-- an -- being a little bit tongue in cheek but.
But it does -- me that there are some people out there convinced that Obama wasn't born here -- -- -- Muslim demands of these a Marxist.
As you would -- probably have no business pulling a lever for anybody in a voting.
Well I think that in a democracy we can't be the ones to judge that that's why congress two years ago.
-- literacy tests that you know you don't I don't think people that are to vote who they want to have a more educated group of people voting but.
For all political equals we can't say -- -- -- enough knowledge on to be able to cast about.
Keeping people from voting because of ID has been.
Has been express is akin to a poll tax because sometimes I have to travel many miles.
Pay a hundred dollars in fees or gas whatever it takes to get the proper ID do you buy that analogy.
Well in fact until recently there hasn't been much evidence that people had to suffer these consequences so in Indiana -- Indiana's -- devolve a child to what the Supreme Court was hard to find people who actually had to.
Pay these kinds of fees or tropical distances but now with the new pennsylvanians Texas laws.
Which are both being subjected to attack in the -- it doesn't look like they're people who are going says.
Have to face some some very -- I think -- very serious money they want to be able to get the ID it or to be able to vote.
-- that's kind of like the full effect -- -- sentiment is not exactly ripple effect but it is causing people who may not be able to afford it and the people who are most affected of the poor the elderly.
Perhaps immigrants people -- of the language as well maybe certain African Americans.
Hispanics these are the ones who.
-- also most likely to vote democratic and Republicans know that.
When they go in and try to make these idealist -- them.
Yeah I think they do and the fact in in Indiana.
That said it was hard to find people who didn't have the -- Pennsylvania's own estimates as to how many people don't have the right -- to be able to vote November 5 loss stays in effect.
750000.
Don't have the idea -- another 500000.
Up to 500000.
And they have a decent expire before November in the state doesn't seem to have a plan in place you have to get the idea to people at time it -- and to be able.
What -- -- think's gonna happen this November in Pennsylvania will these people in fact be denied the vote.
Well right now eight a state court is considering.
Whether or not to block out law.
How often go into effect in in November and -- -- get a ruling this week.
That may go up to these states Supreme Court.
Of State Supreme Court has a justice who is temporarily on leave because she is under criminal.
She's in the criminal trial and they they.
Potentially -- three to three on the question -- And whatever -- that have what if they divided three to three -- -- tiebreaker.
Well the tiebreaker is sort of the lower court decides senator -- -- watching what this trial court judges going to.
And I professor thank you become -- of the drug in the book is called the voting wars from Florida 2000 the next election meltdown.
Professor Richard -- and thank you for your time to monitor my pressure --
