Thread: KS: Concern over immigration fuels voter ID proposal

Concern over immigration fuels voter ID proposal
Posted on Fri, Feb. 15, 2008
By CARL MANNING
Associated Press

TOPEKA | With sentiment against illegal immigrants still strong, Kansas is among a dozen states this year that could require proof of citizenship before someone can register to vote.

Supporters say such a law is necessary because of what they believe is a growing trend among illegal immigrants to register to vote. Opponents see it as anti-Hispanic legislation that's a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.

Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh, the state's chief election official, has heard stories about illegal immigrants registering but, "Never have I had anybody bring me proof where I can prosecute."

Thornburgh acknowledges it could happen, however. People filling out a voter application swear they are citizens. The application warns that a false voter registration can mean up to 17 months behind bars.

"If you are willing to lie and break the law, it's possible for them to register to vote," he said.

Immigration has become a hot issue for legislators as the state's Hispanic population has mushroomed in recent years, especially in western Kansas, and because Congress hasn't been able to pass legislation.

Census numbers show the state's Hispanic population was 188,252 in 2000, a 100 percent increase from 1990 and was 236,351 in 2006. The Pew Hispanic Center estimated there were up to 70,000 illegal immigrants in Kansas two years ago and 11.5 million nationally.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says legislatures in 11 states have bills requiring proof of citizenship to vote. Arizona is the only state with such a law in place, and it was part of a voter-approved initiative in 2004. That provision has been upheld by federal courts.

"What is happening is this whole issue, or non-issue, is being used as a political attack on the immigrant community and perpetuating the myth that undocumented immigrants are a problem, when in fact it's our federal system that needs reform," said Kara Lineweber of El Centro Inc., a Hispanic advocacy group in the Kansas City area.

But House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, whose fellow Republicans have made immigration legislation a priority this year, said it's not uncommon for an illegal immigrant to get a voter ID card and try to parlay that into other identification.

"They use that to try to get a driver's license or use it when they show up to apply for work," said Neufeld of Ingalls, who has seen the Hispanic population — both legal and illegal — increase over the years.

"If you talk to the people who work in the court houses and handle driver's license applications, people come in who pull out three different IDs and can't decide which one to apply for until they get out their voter registration card to see which other ID stuff they need to give," he said.

Ford County Clerk Vicki Wells said she doesn't know whether her office has registered illegal immigrants because it doesn't ask, even if the person doesn't speak English.

Wells said there have been perhaps three cases in the past decade where a non-citizen registered to vote but usually it was miscommunication. The population in her county, which includes Dodge City, is nearly half Hispanic.

"Sometimes you register a person and wonder if they really are a citizen, but you can't ask. We've been told it could be discrimination if we ask one person and not ask another," she said. "They could feel like they might be targeted."

A proof-of-citizenship bill passed the Senate last year and is awaiting action in the House. The measure also would require Kansans to show a photo ID at the polls.

"We have tens of thousands of illegal residents in the state and legal non-citizens who might be registering to vote," said Sen. Tim Huelskamp, a Fowler Republican, the bill's chief sponsor.

Thornburgh worries that if legislators make the requirements for registering too strict, they could suppress voter turnout. And some lawmakers, even Republicans, wonder how big the problem really is.

"You can't prove it one way or the other. Among the public, there's a concern and in a close election, it could make a difference," said Rep. Mike Burgess, a Topeka Republican whose committee has Huelskamp's bill.

Burgess said he's not sure when his committee will consider the bill, which also could be amended into other immigration legislation.

"We're trying to encourage people to vote. It's a question of the integrity of the system as well as accessibility and we're working on both," he said.

Another bill would increase penalties for those voting when unqualified and makes it a crime to urge or assist a person to vote who isn't a lawfully registered voter.

Last year, legislators enacted a law to make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to obtain a driver's license. The law requires either proof of citizenship or, for non-citizens, proof they are lawfully living in the state.

"If you had a voter ID card, you might be able to say you live in Kansas, but you wouldn't pass the citizenship test because you don't have a Social Security number, birth certificate, passport or some other form to show lawful presence," said Secretary of Revenue Joan Wagnon.
http://www.kansascity.com:80/news/break ... 91450.html

"Immigration has become a hot issue for legislators as the state's Hispanic population has mushroomed in recent years, especially in western Kansas, and because Congress hasn't been able to pass legislation."


Where are these people's minds. We have passed legislation to close the borders and build a fence. We have laws on the books that don't need to be replaced. The Save Act would help. But to say you need Federal legislation to fix this means only one thing, amnesty. That's no FIX. If it ain't broken don't fix it. Fix your minds and rethink your perspective. DUH

I am a new resident to Kansas, originally from CA. We need people in Kansas at voting places keeping an eye out for illegals voting. People coming out of polls who are suspected of being illegal should be reported to polling authorities.

Or worse, I wonder if Diebold has already rigged this year's election.

Supporters say such a law is necessary because of what they believe is a growing trend among illegal immigrants to register to vote. Opponents see it as anti-Hispanic legislation that's a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.

Then why is a problem that is anti-hispanic a problem that doesn't exist? If it doesn't exist, why is it labled an anti-hispanic? IT IS A PROBLEM, FOOL! If it's not a problem, why are you even talking about it? The new law is necessary becuase it only makes sense to protect our voting process..something you have a problem with that you claim doesn't exist..nothing but pretzel logic from these 'opponents'.

Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh, the state's chief election official, has heard stories about illegal immigrants registering but, "Never have I had anybody bring me proof where I can prosecute."

Now here's a real piece of work! We have an election offical high up in the ranks that doesn't care about furthering the protection of our voting system..he's a real jerk who needs to be fired. He is obviously protecting, or attempting to give illegal aliens a chance to vote. Get em out of here!