While doing research last Fall regarding the laws for issuing drivers licenses in the State of Washington, I came across a loophole in our Washington laws, RCW 29A.089.210 which governs drivers license and allows voter registration as well for illegal immigrants.
This is the letter which will appear in The Enterprise this week.
A while back I contacted our State Representative Dan Newhouse about drivers licenses being issued to illegal immigrants. One of the major problems about this is that the issuance of the driver's license generates the "Motor-Voter Bill" which allows the new licensee to register to vote without providing documents that prove they are indeed a citizen of the United States. Imagine my surprise when I read in the White Salmon newspaper "The Enterprise" on January 17 that the "State has joined Arizona and launched On-Line Voter Registration" which one can do if they have a driver's license. It says to learn more go to www.sec-state.wa.gov
Basically, the on-line registration allows anyone to register to vote as long as they have a valid driver's license or ID card. This has Voter Scam written all over it. I'm confused as to why the State of Washington allows illegal immigrants not only the right to have a drivers' license, but also an easy way to fraudulently register to vote. RCW 29A.089.210 allows the applicant to register to vote without a birth certificate or social security number. Illegal immigrants should not be allowed to have a Washington Drivers license period. And, no one registering to vote should be allowed to register without providing a birth certificate proving they are a naturalized citizen or citizenship documents. I want the Real ID passed by US Congress to be put into place in the State of Washington.
No wonder there were accusations of voter fraud in the last election, because there were in fact so many loop holes in this regard. This isn't a Republican or Democrat issue -this is a US citizen issue.
I received notification from Rep. Dan Newhouse that he is co-sponsoring a bill to close the loophole but the bill doesn't have a number as of yet. The bill must include an "in person renewal clause" in order to weed out from our voter registration those currently holding a drivers license who cannot prove their US citizenship. This is especially important given that Oregon has now quit issuing licenses to illegal immigrants so they may come into Washington to obtain a licenses.
I urge everyone to contact State Rep. Dan Newhouse and support him in rectifying this loophole. His e-mail address is newhouse.dan@leg.wa.gov
We must control our borders and our voting booths.
Dorothy Herman
White Salmon
Friday, January 18, 2008
Electronic Voter Registration
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2 comments:
Damn those Canadians and Oregonians anyway!
The Washington State Constitution states:
"All persons of the age of eighteen years or over who are citizens of the United States and who have lived in the state, county, and precinct thirty days immediately preceding the election at which they offer to vote, except those disqualified by [a felony conviction or mental incompetence], shall be entitled to vote at all elections."
This language would preclude RCW "loopholes" entitling foreign nationals to vote.
Dorothy, you may want to check out the current requirements for obtaining a WA driver's license:
"When you apply for a Washington State driver license, instruction permit, or identification (ID) card, you must:
1. show us proof of identity.
2. show us proof of Washington State residence.
3. provide your Social Security number if you are applying for a driver license.
4. have your photograph taken."
See this link for more info:
http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/idproof.html
Note that there is SS# verification with the Social Security Administration.
Most foreign citizens with a "driver's license" actually have an Enhanced Driver's License that does not entitle them to vote or partake of a variety of other services or responsibilities that Americans enjoy. See this link:
http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/idproof.html
The first step in registering to vote online requires applicants to indicate their eligibility to vote separately in each area of citizenship, age, residency, and felony convictions and is prefaced by the following: "WARNING: If you knowingly provide false information on this voter registration form or knowingly make a false declaration about your qualifications for voter registration, you will have committed a class C felony that is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, or by a fine of up to ten thousand dollars, or both imprisonment and fine. (RCW 29A.08.210).
Please verify that you are eligible to vote in Washington State by answering the following questions.
Are you a citizen of the United States?
Yes
No"
Applicants are also required to affirm this statement: "By signing this document, I hereby assert, under penalty of perjury, that I am legally eligible to vote. If I am found to have voted illegally, I may be prosecuted and/or fined for this illegal act. In addition, I hereby acknowledge that my name and last known address will be forwarded to the appropriate state and/or federal authorities if I am found to have voted illegally." and sign the following oath: "I declare that the facts on this voter registration form are true. I am a citizen of the United States, I am not presently denied my civil rights as a result of being convicted of a felony, I will have lived in Washington at this address for thirty days immediately before the next election at which I vote, and I will be at least eighteen years old when I vote."
Maybe your and others energies would best be spent in encouraging the 50%+ of our populace that doesn't vote to express themselves in the booth and verifying the accuracy and accountability of the machines used to count those ballots!
First of all, I don't think I need any advice on how to spend my energies. I agree that more than 50% aren't exercising their right to vote and as I have told some I know who don't take the time - You have no right to complain about our government or the tax bill you get.
But,I vote every election since I became of age at 21. I certainly don't need any advise on how I spend my time or energies.
Secondly, a Washington Driver's License (not the Enhanced one) lists as a primary document source the following:
Out-of-State License - A valid, or expired within 60 days, out-of-state license, identification card, or photo instruction permit, or a driver's license from a foreign country plus either 1 supporting and 1 alternate document or at least 2 alternate documents.
So, an illegal immigrant with a Mexican driver's license can get a Washington driver's license. And, furthermore they can use that driver's license to register to vote.
As far as the Declaration that they are a US citizen - they are breaking the law anyway, so why do they care? They know they will be able to vote without any one checking whatsoever and they will be right. My sister worked with a Vietnam fellow who was not a citizen and he said something to her about voting and she told him "You can't vote- you aren't a citizen." And he said he thought he could and he had registered to vote. It was easy he said.
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