Claims regarding the sacredness of the vote are disturbing. One can not hold that the ballot after it has been turned in is sacred while the process of marking the ballot is unrestrained or is common.

Contrast the attitude of some of our politicians regarding the issue of owning a gun. From what I understand, if I want to purchase a gun, from a dealer, I have to give an ID, a back ground check is run on me, further I have to wait a period of time before I can take home or use my purchase. Rightly or wrongly, owning a gun is so special that it is not something easily or quickly done. Not everyone qualifies for this constitutionally guaranteed right.

However, the process by which one may vote and produce the scared ballot is becoming very universal. Almost anyone may easily register to vote without requirement of ID or a background check or a waiting period. Some even claim that a voter may easily vote several times during an election.

Holding the finished ballot holy while opening the process of producing the ballot to all kinds of abuse is inconsistent and will undermine our constitutional process. Let’s make some changes. At least let the voter have to identify himself before he votes. A waiting period used to cross check whether a voter may be registered in more than one precinct would certainly close one area of abuse. Al Mather East Machias