Jacksonville.com

Friday, June 1, 2001

Story last updated at 6:04 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, 2001

ELECTIONS: Fraud is a fact

With another study concluding that thousands of felons voted illegally in Florida last fall, anyone who claims that no problem exists has to be in denial.

A Miami Herald study, which extrapolated a 12-county sample review to the entire state, concluded shortly after the Nov. 7 election that 5,000 felons had voted -- including 62 robbers, 45 killers and 16 rapists.

(It's illegal for felons to cast ballots unless their voting rights are formally restored, which rarely happens.)

Now a computer analysis, according to The Palm Beach Post, has found that 5,643 felons voted. The Post acknowledges the number may not be completely accurate because a few qualified voters may have the exact same name, birth date and race as a felon. But that presumably would affect only a few voters.

Both studies show Al Gore benefited tremendously. The Herald says 75 percent of the felons' votes were cast by registered Democrats. The Post pegs the number at 68 percent. Using either figures, Gore had a net gain of 2,000 to 2,500 votes -- nearly enough to give him the presidency.

At the least, an investigation is needed to determine whether there was an organized effort to get illegal voters to the polls. If so, those responsible should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Also, charges should be considered against each felon who voted illegally.

In some cases, they probably didn't know they were doing anything wrong. The Palm Beach paper, in fact, cites the case of a woman who was fined $100 for her role in an illegal lottery 20 years ago. She said she had no idea she wasn't eligible to vote. That is a plausible explanation, and she probably shouldn't be charged.

But others may be less innocent, and they should pay the consequences.

Some argue felons should be allowed to vote. But the way to correct that wrong, if indeed it is a wrong, would be to get the Legislature to change the law -- not simply to flout it.

One thing that separates the United States from many corrupt Third World nations is that U.S. elections are viewed as legitimate. That reputation should be protected, before it becomes a misperception.

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001