IF MOTOR-VOTER LAW DOESN'T WORK, SCRAP IT

U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft's concerns about the possibility of fraud resulting from the new motor-voter law in Missouri warrants investigation.

Under the law, people can register to vote at various state agencies such as welfare offices, in addition to the traditional practice of registering at county clerks' offices.

Ashcroft said the possibility for fraud exists because people who register at welfare offices and other agencies aren't required to show the same identification as those that register at county clerks' offices. The procedures are fraud prone and could jeopardize the integrity of elections, the Missouri Republican said.

The senator visited with election officials in four southwest Missouri counties last week. He said non-citizens are being added to voter rolls as a result of mismanagement and lax oversight by state agencies, despite the best efforts of county clerks.

He requested that the Justice Department take immediate action to ensure the integrity of the election in Missouri and other states with similar registration problems. Illinois is one of the states with problems.

A thorough examination of how the new procedures are working around the country should be carried out, if, for no other reason, to determine whether the new procedures mandated by federal law are doing what they are designed to do: to offer people more opportunities to register to vote. If they aren't working -- but instead offer opportunities for fraud -- motor-voter laws should be abolished.