DEMOCRATIC partisans (and their amen Charlies in much of the media) claim that voter-fraud laws in states such as Virginia are a "solution in search of a problem." Such scoffers may wish to amend that view now that counter-evidence has been provided by one Patrick Moran.

Mr. Moran, son of Virginia Congressman James Moran (D-8th), resigned Wednesday as field director of his father's campaign after an undercover operative with the conservative muckraking group Project Veritas videotaped him giving pointers in the fine art of stealing identities. Specifically, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch, helpful young Patrick advised the undercover journalist to use "a utility bill or something" to get data on 100 Virginians unlikely to vote so that someone else could cast a ballot in their name.

But Republicans shouldn't pitch their tent on the moral high ground too quickly. The same TD story notes that the state Board of Elections is asking Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to explore allegations that a GOP operative destroyed voter registrations that evidently didn't suit him. Colin Small already faces 13 criminal counts in Rockingham County.

Conclusion: A lot of lowlifes want to contaminate the fundamental rite of representative democracy. Watch who votes, then watch the watchers.