General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDems aim to dismantle state voting restrictions
Dems aim to dismantle state voting restrictions
By Mike Lillis - 09/18/12 04:01 PM ET
House Democrats on Tuesday introduced legislation designed to empower more people at the polls in November.
Authored by Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), the proposal would essentially nullify many of the state-based ID requirements enacted in recent years mostly by Republican legislatures in the name of fighting election fraud.
While supporters of those requirements argue they're needed to ensure the integrity of elections, critics, including a long list of congressional Democrats, contend the changes are actually built to discourage seniors, minorities and other vulnerable populations from voting at all.
Under Larsen's bill, voters in states with government ID requirements could sign an affidavit attesting to their identity in lieu of showing the mandated documents.
The proposal is modeled on the system used in Larsen's home state of Washington, where all ballots are cast by mail and all voters sign an affidavit certifying they are who they say they are. Strict penalties, including thousands of dollars in fines and the threat of years in prison, are both appropriate and sufficient for preventing fraud, Larsen said.
more...
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/250169-dems-aim-to-dismantle-state-voting-restrictions
1-Old-Man
(2,667 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)They believed the lie that 'both parties are the same.' Now they can see differently. If they don't come out in droves to change over the HoR and keep Democrats in charge of voting state-by-state, even if nothing else, they can kiss their votes goodbye. Which is what the GOP want to create their Libertarian utopia. Won't need to vote after they get their way, the government will be gone into private hands. Corporations. Who don't care about anyone's opinions, period. That's the choice being offered. Apathy is the sign of a third world country, with no interest in being part of governance in between elections. Which is where parts of this country are going now. Stay at home, watch TV, go to church on Sunday, that's it. Let the good old boys run the world.
msongs
(67,420 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)UncleTomsEvilBrother
(945 posts)We need to vote in elections other than than GE for POTUS. Many of these people who are making these discriminatory voting rules got into office in predominantly DEM districts. This is what happens when we don't vote.
elleng
(130,975 posts)but ain't going nowhere!
House is going on VACATION!!!