Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTHIS sucks. "30 states introduced laws that restrict voting."
http://www.projectvote.org/newsreleases/993-legislative-battles-over-voting-rights-continue-in-2013-.htmlLegislative Battles Over Voting Rights Continue in 2013
New Project Vote Report Examines States' Records
March 27, 2013
Washington, DC In a report released today, voting rights organization Project Vote analyzes all of the voting related bills introduced, passed, or rejected across the country in the first quarter of 2013, and finds that the recent trend towards disenfranchisement continues.
According to the report, Election Legislation 2013: Threats and Opportunities Assessment, 30 states introduced laws that restrict voting.
While the lawmakers continued focus on voter restrictions is disturbing, the report also finds a groundswell of support for ways to protect and improve access to the democratic system. Members of Congress, state lawmakers, and the American people are focusing on combating anti-voting measures and bringing our election system into the 21st century, writes report author Erin Ferns Lee.
Following widespread reports of problems in the 2012 election, lawmakers, the media, and the American people seem to have finally taken notice of the damage caused by this prolonged assault on voting rights, and have decided to fight back, writes Lee. While there are many threats to voting rights pending in the states, many more bills to improve access to the democratic process have been introduced.
The report finds that voter suppression increasingly starts at the registration level, as more states are introducing legislation that restricts community based voter registration drives and requires eligible voters to provide proof-of-citizenship to register to vote. A handful of states have also tried to limit Election Day registration or same day registration.
Proof-of-citizenship has proven to be extremely harmful to voter registration, and now two states, Arizona and Kansas, have both introduced laws to reverse their states proof-of-citizenship requirements for registration.
Restrictive photo voter ID rules are still popular. Although several strict photo ID laws that have been passed since 2008 remain unimplemented due to court rulings (PA, WI) or issues with federal preclearance (MS, SC, TX), legislators in another 20 states have proposed restrictive voter ID policies.
On the opportunities front, online voter registration, same-day registration, and especially early voting have gained considerable support from lawmakers across the country. Whether lawmakers propose to provide early voting options in their states or to expand existing laws this election policy has frequently been proposed as a solution to the long lines experienced on Election Day 2012, writes Lee.
Engaging young people in registration and education is also gaining momentum. A number of states have introduced laws to allow young people to preregister, or to run more programs for registration on college campuses. A few states are interested in voter education programs directed at young people.
The report shows that, once again, Virginia and Florida are battlegrounds in the fight for voting rights. This cycle, Virginia introduced and passed into law restrictions on community voter registration drives and strict photo voter ID requirements. Virginia also rejected efforts to enfranchise Americans with felony convictions. Florida, which was the poster child for long lines throughout the voting period in 2012, has introduced many bills to enfranchise voters and restore early voting days, though whether these bills can gain traction remains to be seen.
This report makes clear that some politicians continue to use legislation to stifle the vote of low-income, elderly, youth and minority citizens, says Catherine M. Flanagan, Director of Election Administration for Project Vote. This batch of profoundly undemocratic bills provides context for the Supreme Courts consideration of whether Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act is necessary. It demonstrates that suppressive laws must be scrutinized to protect the health of our system, which works best when every eligible American participates.
###
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
2 replies, 1028 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (1)
ReplyReply to this post
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
THIS sucks. "30 states introduced laws that restrict voting." (Original Post)
babylonsister
Mar 2013
OP
Cannikin
(8,359 posts)1. Arkansas gov vetoed voter ID. Senate will overide Monday.
They also introduced legislation to prohibit taking photos of your completed ballots.
Jamaal510
(10,893 posts)2. I said it before, and I'll say it again:
where are those hypocrite RWers and libertarians now who always go on about "freedom" and "liberty"? It's funny how they seem to place the freedom to shoot people over the freedom of people to vote and not be discriminated against. Sometimes, I kinda hate these people...