Why is this necessary? The requirement to carry documentation is just an excuse to make it more difficult to vote, not encourage it. If both parties are concerned about the voting process, they would allow elections to be held on the weekend, where voter turnout would be optimal.

I believe Dr. Steinhof's time would be better spent trying to encourage voting. Get our voting registrars into schools and nursing homes. Support weekend elections. Don't make it harder Dr. Steinhof. Make it easier.

Just an attempt to limit inner city voters from heading to the polls. Another non-issue in this campaign that the GOP will hammer on this fall.

Common sense would dictate that a voter show identification before casting that all important ballot. You have to provide ID when buying cigarettes or alcohol, so showing your ID when voting should not be such an imposition. It's to help prevent voter fraud which every citizen should be concerned about. It should not be about either political party. Are you people saying that a five second display of identification should trump keeping the voting process as free from fraud as possible? If you are a citizen you will have some form of legal ID, it's a simple issue, not one that should be clouded by partisan politics.

It's not that simple. A lot of people simply don't have ID - not so much around here, but definitely in the more urban areas. I think having one person who is eligible to vote denied that right is more important than having many others vote when they shoudl not. But more importantly, it just isn't a real issue in Massachusetts. There are not allegations of voter fraud flying around everywhere. This is an excuse to politic, nothing more. We have so many more important, real issues. let's address those.

So if this is such a major issue...where were all the Voter ID people in 2000, 2004 and 2008? Just like all the "conservatives" who are so worried about the defecit...aren't these the same people who were in congress when they ran up the debt when bush was in office in the first place...but not a peep from those people were raised during those years. What's even more disturbing is the attack on the Voting Rights act that is going in the states like Texas, Georgia and Florida. Florida right now, purging voters illegally, even as the DOJ told them it is a clear violation of the voting rights act. I think it's easy for people who live in Norton, Mass to sit here and say yes lets have voter ID when none of us have lived in poverty, and for most of us in this town.... none of us have to live our lives as an african-american or hispanic where the real targets of this is geared towards.

Actually I don't have a left leaning agenda as I am a Libertarian but anyways.... so this whole issue isn't being pushed by only Republicans then? This Dr. Steinhoff, Republican....Oliver Koswloski in Mansfield whos adovacting this in that town, Tea Party wannabe...Governors in FLA, Tex and GA, Republicans.I don't think this is a coincidence. All these people want limited gov't but want you to show a government ID when you show up for your right as an american citizen. I don't deny what ACORN did that was wrong but we're going to call for voter id bill because a chicago organization registered a thousand people to vote? But for me this is about freedom and my ability to show up as a tax paying citizen to the polls and to get my ballot right away. Who's to say that the little old lady taking names at the poll and just says "well your ID isn't legitimant no ballot", what qualifies them to make that decision. The way this is being presented by some people are making it seem like its an epidemic in the country when its not. I have an ID but i don't feel like i should have to show it to vote. you register and your in...plain and simple.

The Acorn organization registered tens of thousands of "voters" all across the country, not just in Chicago but that's not the issue at hand. How does anyone know who you are other than "I'm John Doe and I live on Main St."? Does that sound like a great way to verify who voters are? C'mon, you have to verify who you are when you take out a Library book but not at the voting booth? How about showing an ID to get into a rated R movie? Kid's have to when their age is in doubt, but not to vote with so much at stake as a result???? The more excuses one gives for not producing a valid ID to vote a few times a year at most the more you look silly and childish. With identify theft so common and rampant in our society it's common sense that one should have to verify who he is before he/she votes.

Mr. McKenney - Your claims that ACORN fraudulently registered "tens of thousands" of fraudulent voters just does not hold water. You can read about it here ( http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/truthaboutvoterfraud/ ) and here ( http://www.thenation.com/blog/167217/voter-fraud-fraud# (.

The sad belief that ACORN somehow stole the election for Obama in 2008 is a sad example of how delusional conservatives have become. Norton Politics is right in pointing out that these measures are thinly veiled attempts to limit access to the poles by minorities.

If Republicans really want to make sure that our elections are open and fair, start with listing donors to Super Pacs. Let's see who benefits from their attack ads and misinformation. Support meaningful reform such as "Voter Empowerment". These provisions offer meaningful reforms such as 1) designate every statewide Election Day as a state holiday, including primary Election Day; 2) allows eligible residents to register for voting during the early voting period at polling locations as long as the eligible resident provides certain documentation; 3) creates criminal penalties for certain deceptive or disenfranchising practices regarding an election; 4) allows eligible residents to register for voting on Election Day at polling locations as long as the eligible resident provides certain documentation; and 5) authorizes registered voters to vote by mail during the early voting period.

It's great to see so many voters in Norton are interested in this (non-?) issue!

To see what else we're talking about- jobs, taxes, and job-killing regulation from Washington, visit www.davidsteinhof.com.