Women's Voices Women Vote is at it again! In West Virginia

What a remarkable coincidence that these mailings always hit just after the deadline for registering for the primary. I mean, I'm sure it's just a coincidence that, despite complaints in one state after another about this very thing, they keep doing it just like that.

via TPM.

Sure it seems odd, but its not like they sent out mailings two weeks earlier, informing people of the wrong registration date.

from voting.

Someone should have taken out a restraining order or something after the FIRST FIVE STATES where these people created havoc.

in Federal court -- or whatever the heck order would get these people to suspend until after the primaries.

And it's rightly next to impossible to get a prior restraint order.

(NC). I don't believe NC has the jurisdiction to make them suspend their activities in another state.

I have been told that Mr. Conyers is following this pretty closely but that won't help the people whose vote gets messed with.

Before they could go to the feds? Don't know.

any more or else these people would already be toast. That's the real problem, imho. Bush disemboweled the department that's supposed to deal with election equal protection, the bastard.

I tried a web search, but kept coming to sites where people compained about it happening, but not the mechanism that it put in place that disqualified people.

I feel like I missed the train on this one.

a registration form for processing, at some point your old, perfectly fine reg will become historical, right? And the new one shows you turned it in AFTER the deadline. So, legally, you can't vote because you "missed" the deadline.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x502203

registered to vote? Aren't you supposed to be smart enough to know if you're registered or not and shouldn't the county or state be more ...current? ...intelligent? ...up-to-date/modern/computerized on their voter info database than that?

"you have to return this in order to vote". That's why.

Oh, and those "up-to-date/modern/computerized on their voter info database" were mostly put into place to lose Democratice registrations. It's much easier to "lose them" when the process is computerized. :hi:

registered because they hadn't gotten anything in the mail from the BoE & would register repeatedly. BoE postcards went out really late that year because they were slammed.

or have its management team replaced.

The Secretary of State's office is reminding first-time voters that the deadline to register to vote in Tuesday's primary already has passed.

See the words "vote in Tuesday's primary"? I don't see any problem with this mailing at all!

every voter that received this mailing? Or, that they understood what the SOS was getting at?

You're supposed to know if you're already registered or not. Some of us even carry our voter card around in our billfold.

predictably they vote for GOP opponents. In this case a primary, AA voters are being targeted for confusing robocalls & mailings because they are voting for one of two Democratic primary candidates and screwing with the black vote helps the white candidate.

place that the "regristration to VOTE IN THE TUESDAY PRIMARY!

You said this tactic has been used to confuse AA voters in other elections. I have heard of the ones that give the WRONG VOTING DATE, or are ambiguous with their words, and I agree THAT would be illegal. But PLEASE don't tell me you believe any voter would be confused by the mailing being discussed here. I can't see any possible confusion at all.

confuses voters into thinking that there is something wrong and they aren't registered OR they mail in the new registrstion & nullify the legitimate one.

Go to the links for the entire history including the sudden infusion of big cash after Super Tuesday, the states and dates where the conveniently incompetent robocalls & mailings went out, the differing verbiage between the white woman & black man robocalls, and the Clinton ties to the principals.

for dirty tricks because they don't have experience with registration. In 2004 young previously registered people constantly expressed concern, because they hadn't heard back from the BoE, and they would register again.

Just sayin :shrug:

Makes a nice little reminder from time to time. It represents something that I have always take very seriously.

Because of them, they no longer issue voter registration cards. You get a little notice as a first time registrant saying that they got your application and you should be ok to vote... but when you go in to vote you have to take in proof of residency. Anytime ANY type of test is required to vote whether it be an ID test or a literacy test (another lovely stain on our history) it is ALWAYS in the name of voter suppression.

But my point was that the process is confusing enough without adding outside sources who are intentionally trying to distort information. To claim that they should just "know" because they have a card in their wallet or because they filled out a piece of paper is just a little dismissive.

One of the non profits whose board I am on is working with the NAACP in NC on this issue:

http://www.democracy-nc.org/improving/2008/NAACPcmplnt.pdf

http://www.democracy-nc.org/improving/2008/WVWV.pdf

http://www.democracy-nc.org/whatsnew/2008/EP&spprsn.html

So this is not aimed at minorities.

The robocalls using black voice talent identified as Lamont Williams, have been tailored and targeted for African American voters who in our segregated America live in those predominantly African American precincts.

"A group called "Women's Voices. Women Vote" sent out more than 16,000 mailers to unmarried women in the state after April 22, the last day to register in time to vote Tuesday.

People who've never voted can still register, but they won't be eligible to cast a ballot in the primary."

In other words, if they were already registered to vote, they still are registered to vote and presumably they're smart enough to know that they are already eligible to vote, keep their voting card sent to them by the county clerk or whoever, and will vote in the primary just like they presumably always do.

If they weren't already registered to vote, they won't be able to vote in the primary (btw, wouldn't this rule prevent Limbaugh's election tampering?) but they will be able to vote in later elections.

I don't see any problem in this unless the voters are something less than intelligent.

but about confusing voters over and over again before they cast their ballot. Maybe you have some reading to do.

I carry my voter registration card in my purse. It goes with me. If I had any question in my mind about whether I was registered to vote I would pick up the phone and call the county clerk who issues and mails them out to double check. I'm sorry but people should be alert enough to know whether they're registered or not. If they don't know, with the exception of a first election voter I would have to question their ability to cast an informed ballot.

This doesn't look like an effort to suppress the vote to me. It looks like they waited until after the primary deadline was past to try to enroll new voters for the general election. That is a logical thing to do.

I'm sorry but it's clear to me that we aren't going to agree. I think you're wrong in your interpretation and accusations.

a year. If you were in the swing state of Ohio in 2004 you would know how anxious the new voters were because after registering with a Kerry supporter on the street they didn't hear back from anyone confirming. Many registered multiple times because they were anxious about being registered.

even dumb people have the right to not be subject to misinformation with the intent to deceive

Link: http://www.wvwv.org/about/board-and-bios

Anybody know anything else about them?

:shrug:

I otherwise consider the "Center for American Progress" the Good Guys.

They used to regularly send someone to discuss policy on Al Franken's radio show (before he left to run for the US Senate in MN).

They also run the blog "Think Progress" which gets links from other liberal blogs.

speaks volumes imho:

Update: Group Promised to Change Calls in February
By Paul Kiel - May 1, 2008, 4:10PM
Since we last posted this morning, there are number of other things to update you on those calls by Women's Voices Women Vote.

First off, North Carolina officials were not the first to specifically object to the group's failure to identify themselves and instead use "Lamont Williams" on the calls. As Facing South points out, back in February, after Virginia police investigated the calls and mailings as a possible identity theft scam, the group's spokeswoman told The Virginian-Pilot that "not including information about the source of the voter registration effort was 'absolutely an accidental omission.'" She also said that the group would be changing the calls so that the group was identified as the source.

Obviously, that didn't happen. When I asked the group about that, a spokesperson told me that the failure to change the script was a "mistake" and added "we're doing our best to figure out how the old script got used."

-snip

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/05/update_womens_voices_calls.php

Virginia voter registration effort proves legit after fears of scam
By Steve Stone
The Virginian-Pilot
© February 9, 2008

-snip


Sarah Johnson, communications director for the organization, said Friday that not including information about the source of the voter registration effort was "absolutely an accidental omission."

She said the group was changing its nationwide phone alerts to make clear who is coordinating the effort.

Johnson said that of all the states where the effort is under way, Virginia was the only one where there had been reports of problems.

-snip

http://hamptonroads.com/node/453328

I don't get it. They're simply launching a voter registration drive. What do you paranoids think they are trying to do here? Are you afraid of this scenario:
(1) A woman registers to vote
(2) She thinks she can vote in the primary, turns up, and learns her vote doesn't count
(3) She gets discouraged, and doesn't vote in the General Election.

Is that what you're worried about?

case:

ELECTION 2008
Group with Clinton Ties Behind Dubious Robocalls

by Peter Overby

Listen Now <3 min 55 sec> add to playlist
All Things Considered, May 1, 2008 · Thousands of North Carolina residents answered their telephones last week to hear this message, delivered in a deep, soothing voice:

"Hello. This is Lamont Williams. In the next few days, you will receive a voter registration packet in the mail. All you need to do is fill it out, sign it, date and return the application. Then you will be able to vote and make your voice heard. Please return your registration form when it arrives. Thank you."

In fact, the deadline to register for the May 6 Democratic presidential primary had already passed. The robocall went to many registered voters who were expecting to vote that day. The call and follow-up mailings left many wondering whether they were registered for the primary or not.

This sounds like a classic example of voter suppression — sowing confusion in order to drive down turn-out. The calls seemed to be aimed at African-American communities, places where Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is expected to run well ahead of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.

-snip

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90114863



Nonprofit's Contracts Called into Question


by Will Evans

Charity watchdogs say the way the group Women's Voices Women Vote has spent its money on at least one contract raises red flags.

In 2006, the organization paid Integral Resources Inc. nearly $800,000 for phone services. That company's CEO and founder is Ron Rosenblith, who is married to Women's Voices president, Page Gardner. The contract represents 16 percent of the nonprofit's budget. The group is funded mostly through foundations and individual donations.

"I think it's a really big concern," said Daniel Borochoff, president of the American Institute of Philanthropy in Chicago. "It does give an appearance of a conflict of interest."

The question, he and other charity experts say, would be whether Integral Resources profited from its inside connections. Women's Voices did not make anyone available to comment.

-snip

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90114863



BREAKING: Source of deceptive NC robo-calls exposed
by ProgressiveSouth

Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:24:48 AM PDT


Yesterday, I posted a recommended diary here about thousands of deceptive, anonymous and likely illegal robo-calls blanketing North Carolina shortly before the state's primaries on May 6.
The follow-up below is the result of hours of investigative work over the last 24 hours, including helpful tips from DKos members. Thank you for your assistance in helping us tell this important story.
Please note: Women's Voices Women Vote appears to be a legitimate organization; people we respect support their work. However, we believe that the tactics revealed in our story, as well as the effect they are having on confusing and potentially disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of voters -- especially right before critical primaries -- are cause for deep concern and raise critical questions about ethical election practices. -- Chris

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/4/30/11055/6499/141/506343



Robo Call Gives False Voting Info to North Carolina Voters
By Paul Kiel - April 29, 2008, 3:48PM

Here's another for the annals of vote suppression. Calls have gone out to an untold number of North Carolina voters telling them that they need to fill out a registration form before they vote. Democracy North Carolina, a government watchdog that has posted audio (wav) of the call, says that the calls went out to "black neighborhoods."

It seems not to be a scheme limited to North Carolina. As Facing South reports, the same call evidently went out to some voters in Columbus, Ohio two days before municipal elections there last November, and also in Virginia the week before the Democratic primary there this February.

Here's how one reader of the Buckeye State Blog described the Ohio call back in November:
From memory, a stentorian voice reminiscent of James Earl Jones says: "Hello. This is Lamont Williams. In a few days you should be getting a voter registration form in the mail. Please fill it out and return promptly and you will be able to vote. Thank you."

Since the election is Tuesday, the message is nonsensical. Also, I can't find any information on this Lamont Williams. The caller ID was blocked ("unknown caller").

-snip
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/04/robo_call_gives_false_voting_i.php



Wednesday, April 30, 2008
FACING SOUTH EXCLUSIVE: D.C. nonprofit aimed at women voters behind deceptive N.C. robo-calls
By Chris Kromm

-snip

Some have also questioned the ties between Women's Voices operatives and Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton. Gardner, for example, contributed $2,500 to Clinton's HILLPAC on May 4, 2006, and in March 2005 she donated a total of $4,200 to Clinton, according to The Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org. She has not contributed to the Obama campaign, according to the database.

Women's Voices Executive Director Joe Goode worked for Bill Clinton's election campaign in 1992 as a pollster; the group's website says he was intimately involved in "development and implementation of all polling and focus groups done for the presidential primary and general election campaigns" for Clinton.

Women's Voices board member John Podesta, former Chief of Staff for President Bill Clinton, donated $2,300 to Hillary Clinton on April 19, 2007, according to OpenSecrets.org. Podesta also donated $1,000 to Barack Obama in July 2004, but that was well before Obama announced his candidacy for president.

"The reports from other states are very disturbing, especially the pattern of mass confusion among targeted voters on the eve of a state's primary," Democracy North Carolina's Bob Hall tells Facing South. "These are highly skilled political operatives -- something doesn't add up. Maybe it's all well-intended and explainable. At this moment, our first priority is to stop the robo-calls and prevent the chaos and potential disenfranchisement caused by this group sending 276,000 packets of registration forms into North Carolina a few days before a heated primary election. We need their immediate cooperation."

-snip
http://southernstudies.org/facingsouth/2008/04/facing-south-exclusive-dc-nonprofit.asp





WVWV BOARD AND BIOS:

http://web.archive.org/web/20070706100052/http://www.wvwv.org/aboutwvwv/index.cfm?id=3




Group Missed Oregon Primary Deadline, Too
By Paul Kiel - April 30, 2008, 4:15PM
As an update to my earlier post on the Women's Vote Women's Voices calls, we can show you an example of the voter registration packet the group has been sending out.

Thanks to TPM Reader PC, here is a mailer received by a reader in Oregon, one of the 24 states (pdf) where the group has sent mailers.

The mailer was addressed to PC's wife, and he says she received not one but two copies. He also notes that the mailer arrived just as the deadline to register in Oregon's presidential primary passed. That's been a persistent problem for the group, not only in North Carolina, but also in Virginia and Wisconsin. Wisconsin officials even issued a press release lecturing the group on its methods, saying that the forms would create more confusion and that voters who needlessly registered twice would have to re-register at the polling place because they'd registered past the primary deadline (Wisconsin allows same-day registration). "It's unfortunate that such groups do not inform voters of our deadlines," said Kevin Kennedy, director of the state Government Accountability Board.

So while the spokeswoman for the group told me that the North Carolina calls and mailers were a mix up, it seems that the group has gotten mixed up a number of times before.

Update: As Facing South notes, the mailers originally had language saying that recipients were "required" to mail back the form. That language was dropped after complaints in a number of states and from a number of state officials.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/04/group_missed_oregon_deadline_t.php









North Carolina AG Opens Investigation of Robo Calls
By Paul Kiel - April 30, 2008, 6:22PM

And yet another development on those calls by Women's Voices Women Vote.

North Carolina's attorney general has just put out a press release (pdf) saying that he's investigating the calls and taking credit for having them stopped. "Regardless of the motivation, the robo-calls violated the law and they needed to stop," Roy Cooper said. He also includes a correspondence with the group's lawyer. In the letter, Cooper requests a variety of information about the calls.

Sarah Johnson, the group's spokeswoman declined to comment on the correspondence, referring questions to the group's lawyer. But she did say that the calls occurred last Thursday and Friday in North Carolina as they did in all the other 24 states (pdf) targeted by the group this April.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/04/north_carolina_ag_opens_invest.php


Update: Group Promised to Change Calls in February
By Paul Kiel - May 1, 2008, 4:10PM
Since we last posted this morning, there are number of other things to update you on those calls by Women's Voices Women Vote.

First off, North Carolina officials were not the first to specifically object to the group's failure to identify themselves and instead use "Lamont Williams" on the calls. As Facing South points out, back in February, after Virginia police investigated the calls and mailings as a possible identity theft scam, the group's spokeswoman told The Virginian-Pilot that "not including information about the source of the voter registration effort was 'absolutely an accidental omission.'" She also said that the group would be changing the calls so that the group was identified as the source.

Obviously, that didn't happen. When I asked the group about that, a spokesperson told me that the failure to change the script was a "mistake" and added "we're doing our best to figure out how the old script got used."

Meanwhile, a group spokeswoman Sarah Johnson explained in a Q&A at DailyKos that the name Lamont Williams was used because that was the name of the actor reading the script. The calls using Williams' voice went to men -- because she said while the group mainly concentrates on unmarried women, they also target "African Americans, Hispanics and young people" -- and a call using a woman's voice went to women.

And finally, anti-robo call activist Shaun Dakin provides some context for the North Carolina attorney general's accusation that the group's calls were illegal because the group was not identified and did not provide a call back number. Dakin, who heads up Stop Political Calls, a group devoted to combating automated calls by establishing a National Political Do Not Contact Registry, writes that Women's Voices Women Vote is breaking the law, but pretty much everybody else does too:

The reality is that there are more than likely several campaigns and other non-profit organizations that are "failing to disclose who sponsored the call" and "failing to offer the org's contact information to get the calls to stop".
In fact, I know of no political campaign at the national level that offers voters a way to opt out of further calls.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/05/update_womens_voices_calls.php

We're talking about WV where they are doing what they should have been doing in NC, registering women to vote. It may be too late to register women to vote in the WV primary, but it's never too late to register them to vote. What they did in NC was terrible, but apparently they do some things are not terrible, such as registering women to vote in WV.

The Obama team is registering for the GE in SW OH right now. After the primary. Wome's Voices is only pulling there shit in upcoming primary states. What just happened in WV & NC is meant to be confusing.

It is normally a GOP tactic & very common. It is meant to effect the remaining primaries to Obama's disadvantage. They got a huge cash infusion after Super Tuesday. They also have been caught in several lies and their claims of incompetence are not believable.

referenced in the thread before launching a partisan attack.

targeting more than their mission states ...single women who were unregistered.

thousands of voter complaints in at least 11 states and brought harsh condemnation from some election officials for their secrecy, misleading nature and likely violations of election law

"another in a long line of deceptive practices used in North Carolina and elsewhere that particularly target African-American voters."