OpinionOctober 29, 1996
When the so-called Motor-Voter Law was passed in 1993, we warned on this page that it would open the door to the corruption of the voter rolls and resultant fraud in our elections. Now, sadly, comes confirmation of this forecast. Stunned election officials in Chicago recently learned that 150,000 Chicagoans -- more than 10 percent of that city's voters -- registered more than once for next week's election. ...

When the so-called Motor-Voter Law was passed in 1993, we warned on this page that it would open the door to the corruption of the voter rolls and resultant fraud in our elections.

Now, sadly, comes confirmation of this forecast. Stunned election officials in Chicago recently learned that 150,000 Chicagoans -- more than 10 percent of that city's voters -- registered more than once for next week's election. "The aftershocks are still being felt," said Chicago election board spokesman Tom Leach, as officials raced to erase duplicate names from the rolls.

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The new law allows voters to register at most state offices, including welfare and drivers license offices. Leach said thousands of people who were already registered to vote apparently signed up again when asked at a driver's license office or other state office. Some even registered a third time.

Let's hope that a clean election can yet be held, in spite of the ridiculous situation brought about by the Motor Voter Law. In the meantime, lawmakers should get serious about repeal of such an ill-thought-out measure that is corrupting our elections and the results they produce.

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