For years, I have been among those advocating for open, honest and accurate elections including during my eight years as El Paso County Clerk & Recorder. (Oct, 2006, “The New American Revolution – Where’s the Outrage?”) An excerpt from that article follows:

“There has been significant conversation about illegal immigration recently and rightly so … we are a nation of laws and I believe we should enforce them. As the son of an immigrant I understand and appreciate the greatness of America. My father understood that America was a nation of immigrants where opportunities were open to those who sought them. However, the bottom line is America also is a nation of laws…and America is under attack.”

Perhaps the most important concern in the election arena has been the call for the enforcement of voter eligibility laws which clearly state you must be: (1) 18 years of age, and (2) a citizen of the United States.

I was pleased, therefore, to see that the request of Colorado Attorney General John Suthers and Secretary of State Scott Gessler to be given the ability to compare voter registration databases with the Homeland Security database has been honored by the Department of Homeland Security.

Those who claim that efforts to ensure the eligibility to vote of all who are given a ballot is nothing but a poll tax are disingenuous at best and are, quite clearly, motivated by politics. Shame on them. Whereas, those who insist that only eligible persons be allowed to vote are asking nothing more than to enforce voter eligibility laws which exist in all 50 states. They should be considered patriots.

We all know you need proper identification to drive an automobile, to board an airplane, to pick up a prescription at the drug store, and to receive a plethora of government benefits, including health and welfare support, food stamps, educational opportunities and so much more. I suggest, however, that there is no greater need to insist on proper documentation than when one desires to participate in our elections.

Insisting on proof of citizenship when registering to vote (normally a once in a lifetime exercise) and insisting on a government issued photo I.D. when voting is the only rational approach to preserving the right of U.S. citizens (only) to vote in our elections. As a first-generation American citizen and out of respect for the millions of Americans who were either born here or who emigrated here legally, including my father who became a U.S. citizen about 75 years ago, we should do nothing less than insist that only U.S. citizens vote in our elections. In 2012, it is more important than ever.

It’s that simple. It’s not nuclear science and it is definitely not as complicated as brain surgery.

Mostly recently my efforts have included support for those seeking more openness to election processes, including the viewing of voted ballots. It is comforting to know that the Colorado Supreme Court has agreed on this issue.

Robert C. Balink is the El Paso County Treasurer.

The Martin Drake power plant on 10/18/01. Photo by The Gazette file