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This seems backwards. We don't wait to see if there is a problem, and then fix it when it comes to financial matters. We know there will be some fraud, so we

This seems backwards. We don't wait to see if there is a problem, and then fix it when it comes to financial matters. We know there will be some fraud, so we design systems to verify who is doing a transaction and ensure someone else does not impersonate them. Peoples money is at stake. What would we say to a bank that does not require a login to take money from someone's account? Would it be ok for the bank to say, "first, you have to demonstrate there is an actual problem that is widespread". Of course, they control all of the data that would let you make your case. And, how would you prove that it wasn't Joe who took money from Joe's account if there was no authentication method for the transaction? It would be just having to take Joe's word for it. "Honest, I didn't take that money from my account - it was someone else". That's exactly how voting is today. Its just worse, in that Joe may have died, or stopped voting for some reason, or be in a care facility and unable to form decisions, or not even exist, or live in another state and still be voting in his old state (and his new state), or any number of other things. The person voting for Joe would likely never get caught, and the problem would not ever surface. There are several examples of fraud in the past. There are also examples of reforms that have been successful in reducing fraud. We have a ways to go, though. I'm not sure I'm up for the postcard for this same reason. I don't think I'd patronize a bank that sent a postcard to an address it has on file giving the bearer carte blanche with my account.

maxerickson 8y ago
So check fraud is exactly what you are describing in a financial context and still happens all the time. As far as voter notification, you don't have to use a literal postcard and there wouldn't be any need or reason for it to be a credential, it'd just provide the voter with information about where to vote. The polling place would do whatever verification was required separately from notifying the voter of where they are eligible to vote.

maxerickson 8y ago

So check fraud is exactly what you are describing in a financial context and still happens all the time. As far as voter notification, you don't have to use a literal postcard and there wouldn't be any need or reason for it to be a credential, it'd just provide the voter with information about where to vote. The polling place would do whatever verification was required separately from notifying the voter of where they are eligible to vote.