Your Opinion: Response on voter fraud

Dear Editor:

Mr. Horstmann's seemingly angry response to my letter re. the myth of voter fraud, published 7/31/16 in the News Tribune, seems to me to be promoting, to borrow a common phrase, "a solution in search of a problem."

According to Journalist's Resource: the "Department of Justice has stated in a recent court filing that, after a review of its databases and other records, there were 'no apparent cases of in-person voter impersonation charged by DOJ's Criminal Division or by U.S. Attorney's offices anywhere in the United States, from 2004 through July 3, 2014.'"

Mr. Horstmann has requested that I write another letter explaining the difference between false voter registration and voter fraud. As a "logically thinking intelligent" person and member of the "liberal left," I'm happy to oblige and educate him.

Registering to vote can be done by mail, email, outside of Walmart, etc. Knowingly entering any false information - like where the registrant resides - would be considered "voter registration fraud." The 17 cases I referenced fall into this category. Going to the polls in person and claiming to be someone you're not, is considered "voter fraud." This type of fraud - choose any study out there -is almost non-existent. I hope that clarifies the difference for Mr. Horstmann.

Mr. Horstmann seems to live in an America where it's hard to believe that there are actually eligible voters out there who do not have valid identification. He should consider himself among the fortunate voters in this country and not advocate taking away the right to vote from other Americans who may not be as fortunate. I would also respectfully suggest that Mr. Horstmann do some research to better understand which Americans these proposed voter ID laws disproportionately affect. But I have a feeling he already knows.