Voter fraud has been with us for a long time. Modern technology is only one of many tools that can be used to cheat. Sans high-tech, there is informed speculation that the death of the great American short-story craftsman and poet Edgar Allan Poe, in 1849, was due to voter fraud.

More recently, President Donald Trump has repeatedly and forcefully claimed that the outcome of the 2020 U.S. presidential election was altered by voter fraud. After the 2020 U.S. presidential election, “America’s mayor”, Rudy Giuliani, claimed that electronic voting machines were used to commit widespread fraud.

Dominion Voting Systems sued him in 2021 for $1.3 billion, arguing that Giuliani knowingly spread false claims that damaged its business and reputation. Dominion and Giuliani reached a confidential settlement. Such disputes underscore the increasing importance of cybersecurity measures to safeguard election infrastructure and prevent electronic voting fraud.

The documentary 2000 Mules, by Dinesh D’Souza, presents a compelling argument that large numbers of ballots were deposited in drop boxes in a coordinated manner, potentially influencing the outcome of the 2020 election.

Voter identification requirements have long been a contentious issue in elections. Without such measures, concerns arise that non-citizens might vote or that individuals could cast multiple ballots. This idea is reflected in the phrase “vote early, vote often.”

In the 19th century, voter fraud was practiced in some large American cities. Political operatives would target intoxicated individuals in bars, abduct them, and compel them to vote multiple times. After each vote, the individuals were disguised with different clothing or appearances and sent back to vote again. Because these individuals were held in a central location between trips to the polls, the practice became known as “cooping.”

This brings us to Edgar Alan Poe. I’ve read his work since childhood since my mother was named Lenore, the lost love in his beautifully haunting poem The Raven.

Poe struggled with depression and alcoholism. On October 3, 1849 he was found in Baltimore on election day disoriented, distressed, and wearing clothes that were not his own near a polling place. He appeared to have been a victim of “cooping,” He died four days later at the age of 40.

Today’s headlines and Poe’s story from history show that without proper identification requirements, those seeking influence at any cost will find a way to exploit this weakness, win elections and gain power.

By mandating voter ID, we take a significant step towards ensuring that each vote is legitimate and counted accurately.