Requiring a picture ID to vote does not have to be voter suppression, but the rash of Republican voter ID laws are, because they are designed to keep people most likely to vote for one party from voting. For example, in Fitzwalkerstan, formerly Wisconsin, Republicans passed such a law and then closed most of the DMV offices in Democratic areas. They made the ID free, if requested, to evade the “poll tax” issue. But they ordered DMV workers not to inform voters they can request a free voter ID. When a clerk blew the whistle, they fired her. Ohio is another state with similar voting rights problems, and residents there are fighting the Republican war on voting.
That image is a pretty graphic representation of the right-wing’s successful voter suppression efforts, thanks to ALEC and a lot of reactionary state legislatures. But in Ohio, they’re mad as hell and not taking it anymore. Via the ACLU:
Luckily, Ohio may offer a glimmer of hope for those of us fighting to safeguard voting rights. Voters around the Buckeye State are taking to the streets, circulating petitions that would allow a referendum to be held on Ohio House Bill 194, a bill passed in June 2011 that would severely limit voters’ access to the ballot box by limiting early voting, prohibiting poll workers from assisting voters completing election forms and ballots, and making it more difficult for local boards of elections to promote early voting to all registered voters.
Ohio is the same state that gathered 900,000 signatures to repeal SB 5, the draconian anti-union law shoved through the state legislature, with ALEC’s willing participation and support yet again.
But back to Ohio House Bill 194 for now. There’s an energy in the air, an energy that the right wing should worry about.
People are quickly organizing petitions in all corners of the state. I signed the referendum petition myself last weekend at a church on the east side of Cleveland. A whole team of volunteers were holding signs and talking to passersby about the legislation. Voters came from miles around—the woman in line in front of me made an hour long drive from the Akron area in her minivan with a group of friends because she “just couldn’t wait to find a petition in my town.”
… [emphasis original]
Inserted from <Crooks and Liars>
If you click the top link in the embedded article you’ll get the ACLU interactive graphic, where you can look at the problem state by state.
Kudos to the people of Ohio and to people everywhere who are fighting the Republican Party’s plot to establish a permanent plutocratic regime of one party rule by cheating the poor, the elderly, college students, disabled people, minorities, etc. of their right to vote. The Republican Party is a cancer that must be excised at the ballot box.
13 Responses to “Fighting the Republican war on voting”
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They know that the only way they will win elections after stripping people of their rights is by rigging elections back-handedly.
Exactly!
This is pure Republican overreach and extremism, and voters will react accordingly in spite of these efforts at disenfranchisement. The GOP knows it only represents the wealthy, and that’s why they are desperately grasping at any straw they believe will give them the advantage. These people are not only crooked; they are crazy as well.
Agree- well said
Very well said, Pope Jack.
they’ve done this before – god bless democracy – right?!
What’s worse is they have convinced some to give up their right to vote voluntarily.
This comes as no surprise to me, although it is despicable. Republicans can’t win on their ideas or their policies, because they have no ideas, and their policies are toxic. So they have to make sure the other side doesn’t get to vote.
Vote these people out of office and into an unemployment line. See how long they last.
Wouldn’t they be screaming for government assistance then!!
Over the years. many voters have allowed themselves to be gulled into complacency. ‘My vote won’t make any difference.’ is something I often hear. Or, ‘There are enough people who feel the same way as me that will vote.’ My usual reply to that one is ‘ So when were you given the gift foresight?’
Now, the Republicans are trying to make it harder for people to vote, especially in noted democratic areas. If the usual complacency persists, people will no longer enjoy the freedoms they once had. Do you want to tell your children and grandchildren that you sold their freedom for a few pieces of silver?
My mother was born in Ohio, although she has long since become a Canadian citizen. I tell her about news pieces (she can no longer read or write) and I know that if this popular uprising by Ohioans to take back their rights suceeds, which it should, she will be very happy. Ohioans, don’t be gulled or cowed any longer! Demand your rights and show the Republicans at the ballot box that they can’t push you around anymore.
Amen, Lynn. Republican rule is the punishment for not voting.
They’ve declared the war on drugs, women, muslims, atheists, liberals, poor,minorities, old and now voters. I’m confused why anyone would vote for them anyway.
What is the education level in the states that allow voter suppression?