Voter Information to Prevent Voter Disenfranchisement

By Don Nelson

Where annual elections end is where slavery begins - John Adams
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In an editorial published in the Sunday Constitution on October 2, 2011 Neal Peirce gave a convincing overview and historical outline of the right to vote in this Nation. He discussed the current attempts to obstruct the voting process. He also did an excellent job of pointing out the historical journey of voting rights. Today we are witnessing a return to the Gerrymandering of the past.


As James Madison observed “We are right to take alarm at the first experiment upon out liberties.

The fact that the proponents of  this move point to census related redistricting and reducing the number of representatives as ‘improvements’ in governmental efficiency are simply smoke and mirrors to confuse the issue. The other glaringly misleading excuse in that these measures are to combat ‘voter fraud’. I hope the people that vote are listening to the justifications being put out for making the Constitutional Right and Responsibility of voting less free and more restricted.

It is a carefully crafted strategy intended to create unnecessary obstacles for a clearly identifiable demographic. Blacks, Hispanics, Asians low-income elderly, students and young adults.

My purpose for following Mr. Peirce’s editorial is to outline the requirements for the upcoming 2012 election.

The Deadline to Register to Vote in the General Election 2012: October 13th, 2012 or
24 days prior to the Voting Day.
If you have not voted within the last 6 years, you are no longer on the Oklahoma Voter Roll.
Must use a Physical Address – NOT a P.O. Box. When you vote November 2012 you must have an I.D. with the same address as shown on the voter roll and your voter I.D. You can use a Drivers License or a State issued ID with your name and correct address.
Must be a United States Citizen and a Resident of Oklahoma.
Felons – Can register when a period of time equal to the original judgment and sentence has expired.
If you will become 18 during the 60 days before the 2012 General Election, you may apply for voter registration between 25 and 60 days [September 7th – October 13th, 2012] before the election.

Oklahoma now as of 2011

The proof of identity law requires every voter who votes in person at a precinct polling place or during early voting at the County Election Board to show proof of identity before receiving a ballot.
A document used for proof of identity for voting must have been issued by the United States government, the State of Oklahoma, or a federally recognized tribal government.
The law also requires the voters name on the proof of identity document to “substantially conform” to the voter’s name in the Precinct Registry. In other words, your name on your proof of Identity must match your name in the Precinct Registry.
The following documents may be used for proof of identity for voting:
An Oklahoma driver license
A State Identification Card*
A Passport
A military identification.

*A State Identification card issued to a person 65 years of age or older does not have an expiration date but is, a valid proof of identity for voting.

The voter ID card that is sent to a registered voter by the County Election Board can be used as the required Voter ID when voting.

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Martin Luther King Jr.

 I represent a concerned group of Lawtonians that want to make certain that any and every person that wants to vote has that opportunity. When the time comes to actually get out and vote we hope you have taken the time to inform yourselves about the new laws.

Remember this from John Adams: Where annual elections end is where slavery begins.

Don Nelson
Lawton, Oklahoma




See also:
State Voter ID Requirements Are Poll Tax 

Oklahoma State Election Board

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