Expect continued efforts to disenfranchise voters
Lewis DiuguidFirst there were voter-identification laws to try to keep older, minority and low-income people from casting ballots. Many have been thrown out in court challenges.
Now in Florida bogus letters are surfacing challenging the citizenship of some persons. The Associated Press reported that phony letters sent from Seattle have been reported in 23 counties in the Sunshine State.
The letters tell people they will be removed from the voting rolls unless they can prove their citizenship within 15 days. The letters also warn in bold type that those who vote as noncitizens “may be subject to arrest, imprisonment, and/or other criminal sanctions.”
Florida is where the infamous “hanging chads” and lost ballots became an issue, negating thousands of votes in the presidential contest between George W. Bush and Al Gore. Bush won largely based on the disenfranchisement efforts in Florida.
It’s possible the nation may have to endure such shenanigans again.
Mark Hastert
6 months, 3 weeks agoIn a country where voter turn out is at best mediocre making it more difficult only empowers the few. Republicans currently believe that they will benefit but with rapidly changing demographics they will come to regret this.
Kent Mueller
6 months, 3 weeks agoI don’t what all is happening so far this year, but the hanging chad situation was a sad part of our history. The Democrats tried to devine the intent of the voter. Yeah, the Democrats tried to steal that one.
Also, in North Carolina this week, some of the electronic voting machines being used for early voting are defaulting to Obama when someone votes for Romney. They said it was a calibration issue. No one checked before letting people vote? Really?
There are issues on both sides of the isle, don’t pretend it is all Republican
George Hunsucker
Northland
6 months, 3 weeks agoright lewis, there is no voter fraud….
http://blogs.cbn.com/thebrodyfile/archive/2012/10/24/new-undercover-video-did-congressmans-son-commit-voter-fraud.aspx
Anyone want to wager what the Rep. party affiliation is?
Mark Hastert
6 months, 3 weeks agoGosh Kent, I hate to say it but you’ve been missed. You’re one of the few semi-sane and remotely rational conservative voices. Allow me to point out, however, that voter ID laws won’t eliminate a machine malfunction like the one you described and they won’t eliminate purges of legitimate voters. Also that it’s the Republicans cheating on registrations and it was Richard Lugar who did not have legal residency in the district he represented for years so I agree indeed that there are issues on both sides. It’s just that this time it’s mostly yours. Welcome back!