PROP 39: a “solution” without s problem” (Shutterstock).

Is buying a case of beer the same as casting a ballot? If so, can I vote as long as I look, say, over 40?

Of all the contentious political issues in recent years, the one that most mystifies us is “voter ID.” Californians will find it on their Nov. 3 ballot a measure – Proposition 39.

If passed, the law would amend the state constitution to require the use of a government-issued ID number while voting in person, or the use of the last four digits of a government-issued ID number (like your Social Security number) for mail-in ballots.

Seems like that’s sort of a no-brainer, right? Well, let’s stop and mull this over. What if you don’t have a valid government-issued ID because you a) lost it, b) forgot your wallet, c) had one but it expired d) never needed one or e) had your dog chew yours up … and I had a friend to whom this actually happened.

You might not be able to vote.

Well, tough luck, goes the answer. You need an ID card to check a book out of the library. You need an ID card to buy liquor. You need an ID card to get into Costco, for cryin’ out loud.

All true. But buying beer or a 24-pack of toilet paper or getting the latest best-seller on loan … none of them are constitutional rights that you have as a United States citizen.

(Now, I knew some college buddies who thought that access to booze was guaranteed by the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence or the Magna Carta, but those guys were not exactly the academic varsity).

The push for voter ID came out of the largely fictional fear of massive voter fraud pushed by a certain politician. There’s no evidence of such but ….

There’s a lot of irony here. In the early days of mail voting (also a subject of much fictional voter fraud fear) it favored conservatives because it was mostly senior citizens and military personnel, who tended to vote GOP. But as the practice became more widespread and it drew in those hippie college towns where students vote Demo, suddenly it didn’t seem like such a good idea.

It all comes back to the idea of “cui bono?” which is a Latin term meaning “to whom is it a benefit?” That may be a cynical view of political ideology, but – friends – it’s a hardball world and folks (left or right) will seek any advantage they can.

Voter fraud does happen, but it’s about as common as the Angels in the playoffs. There’s no true public benefit in making it more difficult for Americans to vote and participate in their democracy.