James O'Keefe Sees Dead People Voting in New Hampshire

COMMENTARY | New Hampshire does not discriminate against dead voters nor does it require a photo ID for voting purposes. Guerilla film maker James O'Keefe took advantage of both facts for his latest sting operation, according to the Daily Caller.

O'Keefe's operatives were able to obtain ballots in the names of dead people, though they were very careful to not represent themselves as those people. Nor did they actually cast votes once they had obtained the ballots. The gambit worked in every instance except for one where the poll worker personally knew the dead person in question.

Arranging for dead people to vote for political candidates is an old tradition in American politics. This is because the recently deceased often remains on rolls of registered voters long after they have shuffled off this mortal coil. The fraud comes into play when a living person votes in the name of that dead person.

Advocates of requiring a photo ID for voting suggest that such a law would mitigate against the dead showing up to vote. Opponents of the idea, mainly liberal Democrats, claim that such a law would be discriminatory against the poor and minorities.

Getting a photo ID is an easy thing in most states and localities, even if one does not drive. The State of Texas is pleased to issue anyone a photo ID card, something that is useful for check cashing and liquor purchases by non-drivers. Adding voting as a requirement should not prove to be an untoward burden.

One has the sneaking suspicion that those inveighing against requiring a photo ID for voting purposes are protesting too much. The real reason is not that such a requirement will prevent the poor and members of minority groups -- both Democratic constituencies -- from voting. They are concerned about an entirely different constituency -- the dead.

It is widely believed in Republican circles that John F. Kennedy won the 1960 election through voter fraud, including arranging for dead people to vote in some precincts in Illinois and Texas. Others dispute that claim. But it is clear that voter fraud has been standard operational procedure in Cook County, Illinois.

Source: NH poll workers shown handing out ballots in dead peoples' names, Alex Pappas, Daily Caller, Jan 12, 2012

Vote Fraud and A Lesson from History, John F. Di Leo, Illinois Review, May 29, 2011