We need an informed electorate

Recently, there have been a couple of letters to the editor advocating for the “motor voter” law, where a person is automatically registered to vote when they register their vehicle. No way!

Thomas Jefferson said “democracy depends on an informed electorate.”

Perhaps a little history would clarify things. When I first went to register to vote, many decades ago, I had to answer several questions about how our government was structured and similar topics.This was common practice across the country.

A few years later, it became obvious that Southern states were using the test to prevent minorities from voting. Instead of devising a standard test and making sure it was applied fairly, we “threw out the baby with the bath water” and made all such tests illegal.

Some have advocated that in order to register one should have to pass the same test that is given to immigrants seeking citizenship. Ten random questions and getting six right is sufficient. Sounds like a good idea to me.

Remember, politicians love ignorant voters. It’s so easy to fool them.

We don’t have to look far today to see the results.

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He knows nothing; he thinks he knows everything. That clearly points to a political career. G. B. Shaw

Larry Blanchard

Spokane Valley