A new report is raising questions about Republican efforts to enact tougher voter identification laws in Illinois. According to News21, a national investigative reporting project funded by the Carnegie Corp. and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, of the 23 voter fraud cases logged in Illinois over the past 12 years, none has been related to someone impersonating someone else at the polls. “The ‘rampant’ voter fraud alarm has been exposed as a myth and a deliberate falsehood,” said Michael Del Galdo, a Berwyn attorney who specializes in legislative efforts to address election fraud. “Having no cases of voter impersonation fraud here in Illinois in 12 years speaks for itself regarding the scope of the ‘problem.’”
The report comes as GOP lawmakers in Illinois and other states have been pushing proposals to require voters to show a driver’s license or state identification card to election judges before voting. Among them is state Rep. Rich Morthland, a Cordova Republican who says voters need ID cards to drive and cash checks. “What’s wrong with making this activity more secure?” he asked. “Illinois is legendary for voter fraud. It seems surprising there isn’t more,” Morthland added. State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, also has introduced a voter ID proposal that is languishing in the Democratic-controlled Illinois House. He said he patterned the legislation after an Indiana voter ID law that has passed constitutional muster.
Full Article: Report: Voter fraud not a big problem in Illinois.