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May 5, 2008

Voting Rights Under Assault

The U.S. Supreme Court voted last week that could make it more difficult for Indiana residents to cast a ballot. And due to this ruling, many other states might follow suite. Remember that whole thing about democracy and everyone having the right to vote -- ha! I bet you thought that was real, right?

Rock the Vote released statement calling it "supremely wrong."

Politico has also reported on the topic saying that it hurts young voters.

In CNN's report they talk about the many, many other groups that will face voting difficulties in November as a result including, but not limited to: the poor, the elderly, African Americans, disabled Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, not to mention (and CNN didn't) young voters.

While this decision was only for Indiana, Arizona, Georgia, and Missouri all have similar cases pending. Nearly every state has had some kind of ID law proposed in the last few years. As one activist told me we should "look for a lot of legislation to come very quickly on this, in time for November." Currently, some states allow student ID's as a form of verifiable identification, but only for state schools, and unfortunately, many states do not allow this.

I believe this ruling is the most devastating to our country and our rights than any ruling I've seen in my lifetime. I personally am shocked and disgusted in The Court, which leads a country that is supposedly a free society where you don't need a reason to make something legal -- you need a reason to make something illegal.

As the CNN report says, there is no evidence that widespread voter fraud has ever happened or that presenting an ID at the poll would stop this. What the law does do is disenfranchise millions of people and cause considerable problems for Americans who want to vote, but who will most certainly be turned away in November.

In Rock the Vote's latest report one in five young voters do not have the correct address on their driver's licenses leaving them at the mercy of the polling workers to decide if they can vote.

Sen. Russ Feingold is so concerned about this ruling that he has proposed legislation that would nationally allow same day registration or Election Day Registration (EDR) so that people can register under their current information and vote by provisional ballot so that their information is correct and they can still vote. This would essentially allow more people access to voting and to registration but still adhere to the Court's decision requiring identification.

Not surprisingly, the community of voting rights proponents and youth advocates spent the day filling the news will statements.

According to a press release from Common Cause:

"In a year in which millions of people have registered to vote in the presidential primaries, including thousands for Indiana’s primary next week, it’s disheartening to see the Supreme Court uphold a measure that will deter and prevent Americans from participating in the electoral process and having their votes count," said

Tova Wang, Common Cause’s vice president for research. Although the court left open the possibility of future "as applied" challenges to voter ID laws, this will do nothing for the citizens of Indiana in this crucial election year, Wang added."

The Young Democrats of America release:

"Young voters will feel the effects of these disenfranchising laws just at the time when turnout among turnout among young people is on the rise," said David Hardt, President of the Young Democrats of America. "Make no mistake. These laws are a voter suppression tool, with young voters -- who have been voting overwhelmingly for Democrats in recent elections -- in the crosshairs.

"Voter identification laws are simply a partisan tool used by Republicans to intentionally disenfranchise voters who are less likely to support their extreme agenda," said Alexandra Acker, Executive Director of the Young Democrats of America. "The Young Democrats of America will work to incorporate voter education into all aspects of our campaign programs this Fall to help young voters, among those most impacted by this law, bring proper ID to the polls and make their voices heard through the ballot box."

Speaker of the House, Rep. Nancy Pelosi also released a statement with a similar regard

"The right to vote is a foundation of our democracy. American citizens who wish to vote must be able to do so."

And representatives of the United States Public Interest Research Groups (USPIRG) also agree in a recent statement released

"The ruling comes on the heels of youth vote surges throughout the country in the presidential primary contest to date. "Today's ruling sends a chilling message to young voters who are more energized and excited than ever.

"U.S. PIRG assailed the majority decision saying it will create real problems in order to address perceived ones. A majority of justices accepted Indiana's argument despite the fact that no evidence of voter fraud in the state's history was presented."

House Judiciary Committees and House Administration Committees released a statement:

"I am disappointed that the Court majority upheld Indiana's law which I believe places unneeded obstacles in the way of voting," said Rep. Conyers. "I would note that six justices indicated that where the evidence demonstrates that voter ID laws significantly impair voters' rights, such laws could well be ruled unconstitutional. I believe past practices have shown that such laws DO harm voters without justification, particularly minorities and the elderly. Our committee will schedule a hearing promptly on the Court's decision and its implications.

"At a time when countless Americans are registering to vote, we should be making it easier, not more difficult, for qualified voters to exercise their rights at the ballot box," said Rep. Nadler. "Today’s decision may help states take steps that will effectively bar many of the elderly, the poor and minorities from voting. I look forward to working with Chairman Conyers to review possible legislative remedies to ensure that the right to vote in a free and fair election is preserved for all Americans."

While many groups were quick to comment on this, one surprised me. The AARP has yet to say anything about this. And their website's bulletin section has information about a guy who swam 57 miles and traveling to Paris but nothing about the rights of seniors and the elderly to vote. When we think that seniors have a larger and more considerable lobbying group behind them, I guess we can thank our lucky stars that our own age-specific groups were quick to defend our rights. Makes me feel bad for older folks.

• Posted by Ally Klimkoski at 12:20AM on 05/ 5/08
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