Do we really need President Trump's voter fraud commission? | The Tylt

The Washington Post found just four incidences of voter fraud—or 0.000002 percent of the ballots cast—in the entire 2016 presidential election. In cases in North Carolina and Texas, federal courts have ruled that laws enacted to prevent voter fraud were actually designed to disadvantage voters of color. 

There is simply no evidence that fraudulent ballots played any significant role in the 2016 presidential election whatsoever.

But conservatives are applauding the president's executive order. Titled “Presidential Commission on Election Integrity,” it aims to establish a bipartisan commission, chaired by Vice President Mike Pence, to review alleged voter fraud and suppression. Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who has investigated voter fraud in Kansas, will serve as vice chair.

"This action by President Trump fulfills another promise made to the American people,” Pence said in a statement. "We can't take for granted the integrity of the vote."

Voting rights advocates say the appointment of Kris Kobach to the committee proves its real intent.

Far from a neutral figure, Kobach is a fierce advocate for harsh, restrictive voting laws. By itself, his presence is a sign that this commission is a sham, and that the drive for “confidence” is actually a push to raise the barriers to voting and participation.

Kris Kobach, vice chair of "Election Integrity" commission, has been sued by the ACLU for voter suppression 4 times.

Our record is 4-0. pic.twitter.com/FuXQiheeXr

— ACLU National (@ACLU) May 11, 2017

Kobach is currently being sued by Kansas residents for suppressing their right to vote.

.@realDonaldTrump picked Kris Kobach – architect of some of the most racist & anti-voter state laws – to lead this new conspiracy crusade.

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) May 11, 2017

The New York Daily News called Trump's accusations of voter fraud "phony."

But many people continue to argue that voter ID requirements do not threaten voting rights, they ensure the integrity of our elections.

Abt time we are looking at voter fraud. Why is it so hard to have voter ID in this Country? Dems will have trouble cheating. Online not good

— @carolinaqueens (@cbab1232001) May 12, 2017

Everyone should have to show an ID to vote. That isn't unfair or racist. Voter Fraud is a serious issue. #SCOTUS

— The Columbia Bugle (@ColumbiaBugle) May 15, 2017

But New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman‏ says voter suppression is the real problem, not voting fraud.

Good news. Any law that makes it harder to vote is a bad law. The issue is voter suppression, not voter fraud. https://t.co/9iMisdShJf

— Eric Schneiderman (@AGSchneiderman) May 15, 2017