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soupsandwich
Joined: 20 May 2011
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 Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 11:45 am Post subject: GOP Moves to Tighten Vote Rules in 13 States..... |
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GOP Moves to Tighten Vote Rules in 13 States
Sunday, 29 May 2011 12:39 PM
By Hiram Reisner
More ways to share... Mixx Stumbled LinkedIn Vine Buzzflash Reddit Delicious Newstrust Technocrati Share: More . . . A A | Email Us | Print | Forward Article Seeking to preserve the integrity of the election process, GOP-controlled statehouses nationwide are stiffening voting laws with changes that include requiring valid photo identification, restricting early voting, and imposing stricter rules on those who can register to vote.
Republicans in 13 states � where changes have either been passed or introduced in the past two months � say they are trying to ensure voters are qualified; Democrats counter the moves are politically based and aimed at weeding out young and minority voters � many of whom comprise the party�s base, The New York Times reports.
Last week, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin and Gov. Rick Perry of Texas joined Kansas and South Carolina, and signed laws that would require valid photo identification before a voter could cast a ballot. Twelve states now require photo identification to vote, the Times says.
Gov. Rick Scott in Florida signed a bill this month to tighten restrictions on third-party voter registration organizations and to shorten the number of early voting days. The battleground states of Ohio and Pennsylvania are among those considering voter-identification bills.
�If you have to show a picture ID to buy Sudafed, if you have to show a picture ID to get on an airplane, you should show a picture ID when you vote,� Gov. Nikki Haley said this month when she signed the South Carolina law, the Times says.
Democrats say there is little proof of voter-impersonation fraud, that the GOP-led laws ring of racism, and target those who tend to vote Democrat, according to the Times.
Democrats also point to state figures showing there are few proven cases of voter impersonation and question why Republicans would want to spend taxpayer dollars on an insignificant problem, considering states� fiscal problems, the Times says.
�There is not one documented case that has been presented to us, and we had numerous hearings,� said Democratic South Carolina state Sen. Brad Hutto. �Republicans have to have some reason to do this because it doesn�t sound good to say, �We don�t want Latinos or African-Americans voting.� �
State Republicans have long attempted to legislate photo identification requirements and other changes, said Daniel Tokaji, a law professor at Ohio State University and an expert in election law. Previous bills were largely derailed after the Bush administration fired several United States attorneys whom Republicans had criticized for failing to aggressively investigate voter fraud, according to the Times.
�That�s what really killed the momentum of more states� enacting voter ID laws,� Tokaji said. �Now with the last elections, with the strong Republican majorities in a lot of states, we�re seeing a rejuvenation of the effort.�
Republicans say increased immigration nationwide has spearheaded the push to makes sure elections are legitimate, according to the Times.
�Over the last 20 years, we have seen Florida grow quite rapidly, and we have such a mix of populations,� said state Rep. Dennis K. Baxley, the Florida Republican who wrote the law to tighten third-party registration in his state. �When we fail to protect every ballot, we disenfranchise people who participate legitimately.�
The changes are likely to have an impact on close elections, Tokaji said.
�Remarkably, most of these significant changes are going under the radar,� he added. �A lot of voters are going to be surprised and dismayed when they go to their polling place and find that the rules have changed.�
Most of the measures would require people to show a form of official, valid identification to vote. While driver�s licenses are the most common form, voters can also request free photo IDs from the Department of Motor Vehicles or use a passport or military identification, among other things.
But Democrats say the extra step will discourage voters who will have to pay to retrieve documents, like birth certificates, for proof to obtain a free card, the Times reports.
A few state bills and laws also reduce the number of early voting days, which Democrats also oppose. In the 2008 presidential election, a majority of those who cast early votes did so for President Barack Obama. In Florida, the number of days is reduced but the number of hours remains the same.
In Georgia, where photo IDs became a requirement in 2007, minorities voted in record numbers in 2008 and 2010.
Turnout among Hispanic voters jumped 140 percent in the state in 2008 and 42 percent among blacks compared with 2004, a change attributed in part to Obama�s candidacy. In the midterm election two years later, turnout also rose among Hispanics and African-Americans, according to data from the Georgia secretary of state.
But the presidential elections in 18 months, Democrats are taking their own offensive. The Democratic Governors Association started a Voter Protection Project this month to educate voters and encourage them to speak out against the measures. It also began running online advertisements.
The following is a list of some state voting changes either enacted or under consideration:
Wisconsin � A valid photo identification is needed before a voter could cast a ballot.
Florida � Restrictions tightened on third-party voter registration organizations and the number of early voting days has been shortened. Florida already requires photo identification.
South Carolina � A valid photo identification is needed before a voter could cast a ballot.
Texas � A valid photo identification is needed before a voter could cast a ballot.
Kansas � A valid photo identification is needed before a voter could cast a ballot.
Ohio � Legislature considering voter-identification bill.
Pennsylvania � Legislature considering voter-identification bill.
Read more on Newsmax.com: GOP Moves to Tighten Vote Rules in 13 States
Important: Do You Support Pres. Obama's Re-Election? Vote Here Now! |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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The OP doesn't express an opinion one way or the other on this issue. Am I to take it this is just a public service announcement?
There is some discussion of this on the 'Cairo Moves to Madison' thread. |
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soupsandwich
Joined: 20 May 2011
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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The OP doesn't express an opinion one way or the other on this issue. Am I to take it this is just a public service announcement?
There is some discussion of this on the 'Cairo Moves to Madison' thread |
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Actually, I'd rather enjoy watching you come up with a useless comment.....ah wait....did that already.
soupsandwich |
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Fox
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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| "GOP Moves to Disenfranchise Poor Voters Likely to Vote Democrat in 13 States." |
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soupsandwich
Joined: 20 May 2011
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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Actually, Ya-ta-boy....I could begin by asking you a series of questions regarding the topic but I'm concerned the session would end up a bit like this......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kOQZP4cbrw |
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soupsandwich
Joined: 20 May 2011
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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| "GOP Moves to Disenfranchise Poor Voters Likely to Vote Democrat in 13 States." |
Similar to Democrats welcoming the "votes" of illegal aliens? |
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Fox
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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| soupsandwich wrote: |
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| "GOP Moves to Disenfranchise Poor Voters Likely to Vote Democrat in 13 States." |
Similar to Democrats welcoming the "votes" of illegal aliens? |
When "Democrats Move To Let Illegally-Present Non-Citizens Vote In 13 States," be sure to let us know. |
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soupsandwich
Joined: 20 May 2011
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soupsandwich
Joined: 20 May 2011
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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| When "Democrats Move To Let Illegally-Present Non-Citizens Vote In 13 States," be sure to let us know. |
I'll have to get back to you on that one.... |
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Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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Is this a real problem, people not having State IDs? I would imagine the bigger problem would be trying to live in modern America without a State ID.
The only people who would be denied the ability to vote are people without: passports, driver's licenses, AND a state photo-ID. |
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soupsandwich
Joined: 20 May 2011
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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Is this a real problem, people not having State IDs? I would imagine the bigger problem would be trying to live in modern America without a State ID.
The only people who would be denied the ability to vote are people without: passports, driver's licenses, AND a state photo-ID. |
Do you know how had it is to even obtain a state DL (some states are easier than others, mind you)?
Meh....I don't know why people would even consider allowing illegal aliens to vote....oh, I know...Republicans have their hands dirty as well and they are merely playing phuck-phuck games. This could have been implemented a long time ago.
soupsandwich |
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Fox
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Kuros wrote: |
| Is this a real problem, people not having State IDs? |
According to this, it is.
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A recent national survey sponsored by the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law reveals that millions of American citizens do not have readily available documentary proof of citizenship. Many more � primarily women � do not have proof of citizenship with their current name. The survey also showed that millions of American citizens do not have government-issued photo identification, such as a driver�s license or passport. Finally, the survey demonstrated that certain groups � primarily poor, elderly, and minority citizens � are less likely to possess these forms of documentation than the general population.
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As many as 7% of United States citizens � 13 million individuals � do not have ready access to citizenship documents.
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As many as 11 percent of United States citizens � more than 21 million individuals � do not have government-issued photo identification.
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sirius black
Joined: 04 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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Just my guess and I have no corroborating data to support it but if I were an illegal alien and I am trying not to be found one of the LAST things I would do is go to a polling place, vote and risk being caught. Just sayin'.
Sorta, kinda related to the topic but I would like to see the rule that once you've been in jail your voting priveleges are gone forever. After your probabtion is done once you get out you're supposed to be a fully resstored member of society and your prior rights and priveleges restored. So, why can't an excon vote? |
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young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 12:59 am Post subject: |
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| Yes indeed, please let's keep the homeless and the penniless from voting. In a lot of states no residence, no ID. You know in all honesty why should the botched and the bungled be allowed to vote anyway? We have to keep the right people in office you know. |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 5:51 am Post subject: |
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^
Can someone clarify this? Just which ex-cons get to vote and which don't? Once you've paid your debt to society, shouldn't all of them get the franchise back? Are white collar ex-cons treated differently than the rest? If so, why? |
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