Secretary of State Brad Johnson says a new system to verify Social Security numbers will help prevent voter fraud. Johnson said Tuesday he has told local election officials to check with the state Motor Vehicle Division to verify the identity of voters who register using a Social Security number. Most voters currently register using a state identification card, such as a driver’s license. A small portion, less than 2 percent, opt to register using the last four digits of their Social Security number. Previously, there was no good method to easily verify their identity, Johnson’s office said. But now a partnership with the Motor Vehicle Division will make sure that the Social Security numbers given for voting registration are attached to a valid voter, Johnson said. “The integrity of our election process is the foundation of our democratic system,” Johnson said in a statement. “We need to make sure safeguards are in place that prevent fraudulent voters from tainting an election.” Spokesman Bowen Greenwood said the office has yet to uncover a verified case of voter fraud. But he said the latest verification procedure, required under federal regulations, will help make sure it doesn’t happen.
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