Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

trailmonkee

(2,681 posts)
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 03:28 PM Sep 2012

Texas asks voters: 'Are you dead?'

Source: Toronto Sun

Before Texans head for the polls in November, the state wants to know one thing: Are you dead?

Election officials are sending letters to thousands of voters asking them to verify they are alive, in compliance with a 2011 law requiring officials to cross-reference the voter list with the social security death list, the Austin Statesman reported Thursday.

So-called notices of examination are going out to 77,000 of the state's approximately 13 million registered voters.

Because of the size of the "master death file" — with 89 million entries — the Social Security Administration "does not guarantee its accuracy," the newspaper said, as one Michael Moore, very much alive, found out when he received a notice.

Voters who are still alive have 30 days to return the form or call their county and confirm they are breathing.


Read more: http://www.torontosun.com/2012/09/14/texas-asks-voters-are-you-dead

18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Texas asks voters: 'Are you dead?' (Original Post) trailmonkee Sep 2012 OP
I'm only temporarily dead... lexx21 Sep 2012 #1
Sounds like voter caging to me Mnpaul Sep 2012 #2
? What oldsarge54 Sep 2012 #3
So, let me get this straight... hamsterjill Sep 2012 #4
What they are hoping is EC Sep 2012 #7
Why yes, yes I am. Marie Marie Sep 2012 #5
You know some smartasses will answer Yes. slackmaster Sep 2012 #6
We only vote like we're brain dead Ezlivin Sep 2012 #8
Not currently. Although I suspect that condition may change in the future 4th law of robotics Sep 2012 #9
I hope I get one. Waltons_Mtn Sep 2012 #10
Well, the Republican voters are only brain dead. nt Ilsa Sep 2012 #11
My step-son is dead. Has been for a few years. HubertHeaver Sep 2012 #12
What a waste of taxpayer money! n/t RoccoR5955 Sep 2012 #13
If they are willing to take phone call proof. RoccoR5955 Sep 2012 #14
If I were dead, I wouldn't be giving you this one-finger salute. tanyev Sep 2012 #15
With some of the GOP down here.... AnneD Sep 2012 #16
"Are you dead?" sakabatou Sep 2012 #17
FOOLS! That's going to cost the the taxpayers a pretty penny...think millions! Auntie Bush Sep 2012 #18

oldsarge54

(582 posts)
3. ? What
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 03:35 PM
Sep 2012

What will they do if someone answers affirmative? The reason I ask is because for some reason the VA thought I was dead. It took some serious fussing and cussing to convince them otherwise.

hamsterjill

(15,220 posts)
4. So, let me get this straight...
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 03:38 PM
Sep 2012

And, of by the way, I am a Texan.

But if I get a form asking if I'm alive, I can either fill out the form and return it, or call the county and confirm it?

Am I the only one that could imagine that if someone really were trying to pull off voter fraud ANY WAY, someone could falsely complete and return the form and/or call the county pretending to be the voter in question?

Where is the verification of the voter in all of this??? I must not be getting this...

EC

(12,287 posts)
7. What they are hoping is
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 03:45 PM
Sep 2012

that people just throw the notices away thinking they are junk mail or a joke. They are then automatically taken off the roles.

But yeah, the whole thing is stupid in their reasoning.

Ezlivin

(8,153 posts)
8. We only vote like we're brain dead
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 03:48 PM
Sep 2012

At least that's how it seems to me after living here for over 20 years. Ann Richards was the last good governor we've had.

 

4th law of robotics

(6,801 posts)
9. Not currently. Although I suspect that condition may change in the future
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 03:52 PM
Sep 2012

I will report in the moment it does.

HubertHeaver

(2,522 posts)
12. My step-son is dead. Has been for a few years.
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 04:10 PM
Sep 2012

They keep sending him a new voter card. We return it marked "deceased". The next year, he gets another one.

 

RoccoR5955

(12,471 posts)
14. If they are willing to take phone call proof.
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 04:17 PM
Sep 2012

What's to stop people from calling and saying that someone that they don't want to vote is dead.

Perhaps someone should get out the Texass RapeubliCON voter rolls, and make a few phone calls to the office where they are compiling the "master death file."

AnneD

(15,774 posts)
16. With some of the GOP down here....
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 06:38 PM
Sep 2012

it is hard to tell the difference. My school is a polling place. I know from whence I speak.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Texas asks voters: 'Are y...