Voter fraud crosses party lines in a desperate election

Katherine Johnson
Columnist

Republicans have been accused of disenfranchising voters this year in their attempt to get President Obama out of office. Across the aisle, Democrats have criticized voter ID laws and claimed fraudulent elections aren’t a problem. Democrats, however, are guilty of the same crimes they have been crusading against.

Democrats now have blood on their hands after Representative Jim Moran’s field director was caught on tape giving tips on how to commit voter fraud. Patrick Moran, who resigned from his position, happens to also be the son of Rep. Moran, who represents the eighth district in northern Virginia.

Countless cases have been made for Republicans attempting to sway the results of the election with voter ID laws. In Harrisonburg earlier this month, a man was even arrested for throwing away voter registration forms. He was charged with 13 felony and misdemeanor counts of voter registration fraud, according to NBC 12.

In this particular video, an undercover man asks for tips on how to cast ballots for 100 inactive voters. Moran hesitates, but then suggests forging utility bills to get past Virginia’s new voter ID law. The law states that voters must have identification at the polls, such as a voter registration card, utility bill, paycheck, or photo ID.

According to the Times Dispactch, Project Veritas, a conservative organization, released the video of Patrick Moran.

This is yet another case of attempted voter fraud, revealing the desperate measures that those involved in politics are willing to take in order to win. Patrick Moran’s actions are inexcusable, and frankly embarrassing for Democrats that have insisted voter fraud isn’t a problem.

Ironically enough, Rep. Moran, along with Reps. Bobby Scott and Gerry Connolly, asked the U.S. justice department to “conduct a multi-state investigation of voter registration fraud,” according to Moran’s website. This press release was posted just a day before his son’s incriminating video was released.

In a way, the playing field has been leveled. Democrats can no longer argue that they’re in line with the law and just want a fair election. The country has seen that both sides aren’t playing fair.

Unfortunately, stories like this increase people’s distrust of politics, giving politicians a worse name than they already have. Furthermore, Moran’s stunt may make voters think that their voice really doesn’t matter. Why vote when ballots are being stuffed?

When the country looks back at past elections, such as 2004’s when George W. Bush was reelected, all they see is doubt in the system. Florida was the center of that election’s scandal, as recounts were ordered and only 537 votes separated the two candidates.

It’s impossible to ensure that those few hundred votes are valid when fraud could be committed. In Moran’s case, 100 fake votes were at stake. There will possibly be recounts and delayed results in an election as close as this year’s. Because of this, it’s essential to avoid voter fraud and make sure every vote counts. This means fake ballots can’t be cast on behalf of unknowing people, who are just as much victims as an honest election.

Although Moran has since resigned, it’s unsettling to Americans that him and others are in such positions of power. The video was recorded by an undercover reporter and the plan wasn’t viable or practical enough to have gone through on Election Day, but Moran’s advocacy to commit a crime can’t be ignored, even if he was just hinting at how to carry out voter fraud.

When it comes to ensuring fair elections, party lines don’t exist. It’s the responsibility of everyone from politicians to volunteers to voters to eliminate voter fraud. They may have wished to accomplish this by implementing laws, but it can only be resolved with sound values and respect for the system.

Until then, it’s unlikely that any improvements will be seen, whether a party admits to the problems or not.