Democrats Launch Campaign To Counter Alleged GOP Voter Suppression

WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats alarmed by reports that new voter laws could bar some five million people from the polls are launching an ambitious online effort aimed at countering what they call Republican voter suppression.

According to a study published Monday by the Brennan Center for Justice, a string of laws passed in 13 states -- and proposed in 21 more -- could disproportionately suppress turnout of younger voters, minorities and lower-income voters. Those groups tend to pull the lever for Democrats.

The Brennan Center estimates that the new laws could affect some 171 electoral votes, including those of five swing states.

All but two of the new laws were signed by Republican governors and generated by Republican legislatures, prompting the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to cry foul -- and start an effort set to launch Thursday aimed at preserving ballot access for voters who would normally be eligible to vote.

"In states across the country, Republicans have launched a deceitful, coordinated attack on voting rights and Democrats are committed to stopping them in their tracks," said Matt Canter, spokesman for the DSCC. The laws include provisions requiring photo identification and proof of citizenship, as well as restrictions on registration drives and reduced early voting.

Republicans have long complained about fraud in voter registration drives, infamously singling out the now-defunct ACORN, which had been extremely effective in signing people up for balloting. Many claims of fraud have turned out to be exaggerated, but nevertheless have sparked the slew of laws coming into effect for the next election.

The DSCC push will be in two parts, with an ad campaign and a website designed for people to report problems voting.

The campaign, dubbed the "2012 Election Protection Project," will feature online advertisements on Twitter, Facebook, Google and mobile devices. There will also be petitions and email outreach aimed at raising awareness about new restrictions and combating them.

The website will be named the "Election Protection Project Action Center," and the DSCC expects it to serve both as an information hub on potential voter suppression and a conduit to help voters register online.

"Voting rights for millions of law-abiding Americans are at stake," Canter argued. "We need to mobilize people now or else they will be denied the right to vote next November."

Also at stake could be crucial edges for Democratic-leaning states like Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Comments

[boycottrightwingthings]

03:29 PM on 11/08/2011

This should NOT be decided by states...this should be determined by Eric Holder's office. This will backfire BIG TIME on Republicans, as it is UNCONSTITUTONAL.

[Ohsnap]

09:51 PM on 11/04/2011

If anyone's being lazy, its Republicans. Why go out and try to win new voters with new ideas when you can sit on your butts and write voter suppression into law?

[Notsosurearewe]

04:02 PM on 10/19/2011

Ironic - and all this time cons were accusing the Democrats of suppressing votes. Accuse somebody else of something you're doing ... hmmm... and they wonder why they're the minority.

[jacquie1]

11:47 PM on 10/10/2011

Getting licenses and keeping them costs money. To get a passport, you have to come up with over 100 bucks and the picture. Some people do not have birth certificates. My father legally immigrated here...there were no certificates of birth then. He earned his citizenship in the American Military where he has citizenship documents. He had a drivers license but it was not renewed because he was too sick to drive. That still doesn't mean his right to vote should be taken away because he got old and sick. I think this mess will backfire on Republicans because many people on their side won't be able to vote either. I bet they will like that a bunch.

[method]

02:38 PM on 10/10/2011

Besides online launching, DEMS need to foot patrol...grassroots. Get your butt out there and walk the streets. Go door to door. If the elderly don't have a way, provide transportation. This is serious stuff.

[tomcats4al]

05:29 PM on 10/12/2011

Besides online launching, REPS need to foot patrol...g­rassroots. Get your butt out there and walk the streets. Go door to door. If the elderly don't have a way, provide transporta­tion. This is serious stuff.

[JPETERB]

11:09 PM on 10/09/2011

Alleged voter suppression? If, as a direct result of the new voter photo ID laws, less fully registered voters actually vote, that IS voter suppression by both definition and statistical outcome. A different version of similar types of state laws worked to suppress the registered poor and minority vote in Florida in 2000. This is about as un-American as a law can be and not put someone in jail.

[UKLLee]

02:08 AM on 10/10/2011

Being too lazy to vote doesn't make you supressed.

[Notsosurearewe]

04:01 PM on 10/19/2011

Taking away the rights and abilities of those who AREN'T too lazy to vote IS voter suppression.

[Ohsnap]

09:49 PM on 11/04/2011

Republicans are using voter suppression because they are too lazy to go win over more voters.

[mavpay]

08:04 AM on 10/09/2011

The American Legislative Exchange Council is working with the Republican Party to userpt your rights within the states. For more information go to alecexposed.org.

[boycottrightwingthings]

03:37 PM on 11/08/2011

IOt should be called the Republican Criminal Enterprise, because what they are doing to this countrty is criminal!!

[mavpay]

04:07 PM on 11/08/2011

I agree! We need to be very concerned about their methods and their agenda. It reeks of fascism. For more information on Republican tactics go to yuricareport.com Fav'd

oops/correction: usurp

[mavpay]

01:47 PM on 10/07/2011

If Republican ideas and solutions were the answer to the problems that the vast majority of people/ voters are facing, why do they have to work so hard at delivering contradictory messages, lying, usurpting power through undermining peoples' rights, and by spending outrageous amounts of money on all of the aforementioned? More Americans are waking up to the entire crimninal, corrupt, shameless and hateful enterprise. Apparently Rupublicans who don't believe in these practices, don't have a voice and don't stand a chance. Most are conspicuously silent. The "so-called" Republican Presidential Candidates and Republican leaders must be in agreement with these vicious tactics against all Americans. These are not partisan issues. The Republican Party and its operatives, including the "right-wing" of the Supreme Court and other "right-wing" judges and those in law enforcement need to end their extreme agenda. The impact of their decisions is leading to the decline of our nation. The people are organizing and will not stand for this continued decline of American values, liberties and justice.

[UKLLee]

12:36 PM on 10/07/2011

! LOLOLOLOL!

If that ain't the (r.acist) pot calling the kettle b.lack!

[MmeFlutterbye]

08:03 PM on 10/09/2011

Glad you find something to laugh about concerning this very serious issue. Knee-slapper and slao stick comedians must love you!

[sandeefrancella]

09:41 AM on 10/07/2011

Voter suppression is always bad/ I think some of the comments are coming from Tepubs/Wake up America Big Bussiness is taking over our country and our rights. Rock on America!

[Joseph Schmoe]

08:39 AM on 10/07/2011

"Voter suppression" is a red herring.
The only thing we Democratic Party members have to fear is having a gutless speechmaker at the top of the ticket. I won't vote for him again unless he stops talking lofty but empty phrases and starts doing something besides capitulate.

[Rodger leMonde]

12:06 PM on 10/07/2011

Voter suppression is up and running, based on the fraudulent concept that voter fraud is rampant.

[boycottrightwingthings]

03:40 PM on 11/08/2011

F and F #919 This is why people are occupying Wall Street, and everywhere! We really MUST push back against the GOP on this one- not to mention it is illegal and unconstitutional, but that never stopped the GOP before. The GOP criminal enterprise!!

[ramman]

12:45 PM on 10/07/2011

Wow your just the type of Dem voter the GOP is looking for. One who may or may not vote for them but says he will not vote for their own party candidate because he's pissed. Well they'll take a non-vote for Obama anyway they can get it. The GOP be sending you a letter in the mail thanking you for your non-contribution to the voting process.

[GlennWatson]

08:19 AM on 10/07/2011

"Democrats Launch Campaign To Counter Alleged GOP Voter Suppression:

Translation: Not enough Black people have drivers licences.

This is the biggest none issue. What is the deal with refusing to get a licence?

[Rodger leMonde]

12:08 PM on 10/07/2011

Translation. What is so bad about not letting people vote.

[UKLLee]

12:37 PM on 10/07/2011

it's hard for illegal aliens to get drivers liscenses.

[Rodney E Black]

12:45 AM on 10/07/2011

Look minority voters could challenge there districts and request for their voice to be heard by letting their respective Supervisors of Elections apply more voting precincts in minority communities just as Simple as; that and if that happens then you would not have too worry about elections mishaps or feeling of disenfranchisement!

[Grannyover70]

10:08 PM on 10/06/2011

In the past couple of elections, it was the Republican groups that got fined for
voter registration fraud. Once was when they threw away the applications registering as Democratic. They got caught.

[woombie]

08:54 PM on 10/06/2011

republicans wants to take jobs away and send them overseas. republicans wants to take medical away from us. So we can die. republicans wants to take education and teachers away from us. So we are rating low to education compare to education overseas. republicans wants to get rid of the middle class. Now, republicans wants to take our voting rights away from us. People of the Civil Rights Movement worked too hard to get the voting rights passed. We need to fight for this. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

[boycottrightwingthings]

03:42 PM on 11/08/2011

F and F # 94. We need to contact Eric Holder en mass!