What a lot of people don't understand is that a lot of "objective" criteria for voting are actually subject to the whims of the registrar at the polling place on the day of election.
I learned this as a civil rights volunteer in Mississippi in 1964. If white "Joe" came in to vote and didn't know the meaning of "habeas corpus" (voters had …
What a lot of people don't understand is that a lot of "objective" criteria for voting are actually subject to the whims of the registrar at the polling place on the day of election.
I learned this as a civil rights volunteer in Mississippi in 1964. If white "Joe" came in to vote and didn't know the meaning of "habeas corpus" (voters had to define any section of the Mississippi constitution chosen by the registrar) and the registrar knew Joe, then Joe voted. But if an African-American came to vote and didn't know, he failed the test and couldn't vote.
The same is true of proof of citizenship. If the registrar knows you/approves of you, the requirement is flexible. If you don't have your naturalization papers, you may be disfranchised.
Unless the standard for voting is clear and inflexible, eligible voters may be disqualified at local whim.
What a lot of people don't understand is that a lot of "objective" criteria for voting are actually subject to the whims of the registrar at the polling place on the day of election.
I learned this as a civil rights volunteer in Mississippi in 1964. If white "Joe" came in to vote and didn't know the meaning of "habeas corpus" (voters had to define any section of the Mississippi constitution chosen by the registrar) and the registrar knew Joe, then Joe voted. But if an African-American came to vote and didn't know, he failed the test and couldn't vote.
The same is true of proof of citizenship. If the registrar knows you/approves of you, the requirement is flexible. If you don't have your naturalization papers, you may be disfranchised.
Unless the standard for voting is clear and inflexible, eligible voters may be disqualified at local whim.
Johnson meant it's hard to prove illegals are voting.