By Paul Tarver
guest columnist
If there’s ever been an issue that liberals, moderates, conservatives, and libertarians could all get behind, the Voter ID Ballot Initiative is it. The success of free and democratic elections is based on the assumption that all votes are cast fairly and honestly. One person gets one vote and each vote counts.
Unfortunately, history has shown that there are those willing to subvert democracy and stuff the ballot box to win. There are legendary tales of the dead rising and casting votes for politicians trying to get into office or to stay in office or both.
In 2005, I saw pictures of Iraqi citizens waving ink-stained fingers to celebrate the first democratic elections in their country in over half a century and I thought, “What an great idea!” Dipping a finger into ink after voting accomplished two things at the same time. First, it marked the citizen as someone who cared enough to brave threatened and actual violence to make their voice heard, and second, it made it easy for poll workers to know who had already voted. One person, one vote. No more, no less.
We will probably never dip our fingers in ink, but there have been attempts to improve the voting process right here in Mississippi. On multiple occasions, bills have been introduced into the Mississippi Legislature to implement Voter ID. Due to the politics played by some, these bills have been thwarted each time.
So, the Mississippi Republican Party decided to sponsor an effort to put the idea in front of the voters instead and began a petition effort to gather over 110,000 signatures prior to February 14th, 2010. If the petition effort is successful, a Voter ID Initiative will appear on the 2011 Mississippi ballot for citizens to vote up or down.
We are required to show a photo id to write a check, buy alcohol, open a bank account, take out a loan, and often to use a credit card. Why shouldn’t we be required to identify ourselves prior to voting?
This year has seen the emergence of Tea Parties made up of neighbors, friends and family fed up with politics as usual and they have learned that they CAN make a difference. Politicians of both the Democrat and Republican Parties have had to explain themselves and frankly, both parties have some explaining to do.
But when the politicians do something right, it is important to support their efforts.
The membership of the MeridianTeaParty.com recently decided to support this effort by passing out petitions and gathering signatures to help get this initiative on the 2011 ballot. It is a great opportunity for everyone to get involved. Should the initiative get on the ballot and should it pass, Mississippi will be an example for other states to follow.
If someone asks for your signature, please consider adding your name to the growing list of supporters of the Voter ID Initiative. If you want to do more, visit www. MeridianTeaParty.com to learn where you can pick up petitions and gather some signatures yourself. Let’s all work to bring honesty, fairness and trust back to our voting process.
Paul H. Tarver is the owner of Quality PC of Meridian and is one of the founding members of MeridianTeaParty.com.
