Voter ID Laws 'Assault' On Minority Voters, Says DNC Chair (VIDEO)

In an effort to beat back what Democrats are calling a Republican assault on the voting rights of blacks, Hispanics and other minority groups ahead of the 2012 presidential election, the Democratic National Committee has launched a new initiative to educate voters on restrictive mostly Republican-sponsored voter ID laws.

The initiative includes the release of a report, "A Reversal in Progress: Restricting Voting Rights for Electoral Gain," and the launch of a website www.protectingthevote.org.

Both are intended to "expose efforts by the Republican party to limit the right to vote for political gain," said Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz during a conference call this morning.

Schultz called the laws "a full-scale assault" on the voting rights of mostly minority voters in states where both groups strongly supported the president in 2008. And that the laws are "essentially designed to rig an election when Republicans can't win these election on the merits."

Republicans contend that the measures protect against voter fraud, a claim the Democrats say has yet to be proven in large measure.

"I think that nothing could disenfranchise an eligible voter more than finding out that ineligible voters are voting," Tre Hargett, the Republican secretary of state in Tennessee, told NPR this summer, after that state passed a new rule that requires voters to display photo ID and proof of citizenship when they register to vote. Hargett then cited a 2005 incident in a special election in Memphis, where a poll worker faked at least three votes.

The issue of voter suppression has been of particular interest for Democrats in states that will be key to President Obama's reelection efforts, such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Ohio, where more prohibitive voter identification laws have sparked controversy. Other states, including Tennessee, Rhode Island, Kansas and Wisconsin have passed voter identification measures this year. Mississippi last month approved a constitutional amendment to require voters to provide government-issued ID at the polls. Still others have struck down Election Day voter registration and limited early voting.

Critics of the laws say the poor, African Americans, Latinos and older citizens are less likely to have such IDs, and that the many hurdles to getting such identification would discourage and disenfranchise voters, most of whom would likely vote for Democrats.

According to the Democrats, about 25 percent of African Americans and 19 percent of Latinos do not have some form of government-issued identification.

"Coast to coast in 40 different states, governors and state legislators -- nearly all Republicans -- have proposed or enacted restrictions on voting that make it more difficult to register, reduce the availability of early voting and place new qualifications on voters, such as obtaining limited types of government-issued photo identification," Wasserman Schultz said in a statement released a few hours before the call. "These restrictive measures have one thing in common: They make it harder to vote, specifically for minority voters. Democrats will not sit idly by while the Republican Party attempts to infringe on the rights of American voters."

A number of minority and labor groups have rallied to fight back.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, The United Federation of Teachers, the health care workers' union 1199SEIU, National Council of La Raza and the Asian-American Legal Defense Fund and other minority groups have joined forces to plan a series of protests around the country.

Ben Jealous, president of the NAACP, recently called the laws "the greatest assault on voting rights ... that we have seen since the dawn of Jim Crow."

Wasserman Schultz and Will Crossley, the director of voter protection for the DNC, said they are seriously considering legal action to challenge the laws where such steps are warranted. Crossley said the Department of Justice is currently reviewing a number of the laws in various states.

In the foreword to the DNC's report, Donna Brazile, the DNC's Vice Chair for Voter Registration and Participation, chided the tactics, saying, "It seems that no blow is too low and no trick too dirty for Republicans seeking to ensure their own victory in 2012 and beyond."

"Their primary aim is to ensure their reelection -- at the expense of the voting rights of eligible Americans, particularly persons of limited means, minorities, young people, and our seniors," she wrote. "For decades, our laws have sought to expand access to the franchise; today, Republicans seek to reverse this progress."

Comments

[the99pct]

10:06 PM on 05/13/2012

Today there is a report in Tampa Bay Times that is disturbing for Florida voters. Under orders from the Secretary of State, the Department is flagging thousands of registered voters who are Hispanics or Democrats or NPA (No Party Affiliation) to be contacted to prove their citizenship. The order conveniently leaves out those who are registered as Whites and Republicans. People who have been registered voters for decades are either being removed or contacted for proof of citizenship.

[RitaLouise]

09:28 PM on 12/27/2011

Re: the attempt to block student voting, one could suggest that they all be alerted to vote absentee via their own states. The word needs to get out!

[TaxFree1031]

09:59 PM on 12/23/2011

We have a lawless Justice Department that gun-running, allowing illegal immigration and now mandating voter fraud.

[cortcec]

11:09 AM on 12/07/2011

Having to show a photo ID to vote is not discrimination at all. One has to show an ID to purchase alcohol or cigarettes why should they not be required to show one in order to vote?? Also, every American has a right to vote so every American should not have a problem proving their citizenship in order to vote. There are alot of illegal (undocumented) aliens in this country that have voted and are voting due to the lack of identification requirements while voting. Photo identification will prevent those that are not Americans from voting.

[risingsun4995]

05:40 PM on 12/03/2011

Anyone remember the racist discrediting of an organization who's mandate was to enfranchise a large, active, national organization of low- and moderate-income families, mostly people of color. Google the title - (James O'Keefe, right wing operative) whose false interview led to the discrediting of a institution that supported the rights of the poor. I think it is damaging indictment on the federal government that a few fake voter registrations can destroy an organization that helped many of our black citizens. The real voter fraud comes from the same people who are trying to create hurdles for the democratic party and their historically high participation of black voters. Google Kathleen Harris and voter suppression. Remember how the supreme court shirked it's duty by not voting for a recount of which our constitution states should take place if the difference between candidates for a presidential primary is 1% or less.

[limstillme]

10:01 AM on 12/03/2011

This is from Federation For American Immigration Reform: "Easy Access to Illegal Voting
There are few safeguards in place to prevent noncitizens from registering to vote, or casting one. The Motor-Voter Act, signed by President Clinton in 1993, specifies that the voter registration process must be offered and facilitated at state departments of motor vehicles and at state welfare offices. In addition, that law requires that mail-in registration become available for all voters, expands absentee voting, and makes it nearly impossible for an election observer to challenge the eligibility of a voter.

The only control against noncitizens registering to vote is a required statement in the application form that the registrant is a U.S. citizen. No verification of that statement is currently required anywhere, although if Arizona were to pass Proposition 200 in this election, it would become the first state to have such a provision." Lots more facts are there, check it our for yourself.

[dtairtime]

01:38 AM on 12/03/2011

"Republicans contend that the measures protect against voter fraud, a claim the Democrats say has yet to be proven in large measure."

So we first have to prove that there are lots of voter fraud yet in order to do that we can't ask for ID?

Isn't that kind of crazy? I understand that reluctance in small amounts but the same argument could be made to both sides like thus:

"Democrats contend that the measures keep valid voters from voting, a claim the Republicans say has yet to be proven in large measure."

So I will have to go with show your ID. If you don't have one, can't afford to get one, can't get down to a government office to get one or whatever then I have no problems with the state giving you one or finding a way to insure you can get one. I thought that was what was proposed but .

Then the author makes this wild claim: "According to the Democrats, only 25 percent of African Americans and 19 percent of Latinos have some form of government-issued identification."

No way is that accurate. Now the latino one could be right IF you include the millions of illegals. That is the same as saying only those percentages of those groups drive. NO WAY!

[HTM]

02:26 PM on 12/02/2011

In Hanford California District 5 of Kings County there are many illegal immigrates that vote in every election. This is a crime because it helps maintains the incumbent candidacy for office when the voting is close. Check this for (reliability and validity) but if it is happening here then it is happening nationwide.

[ICTsiege316]

03:13 PM on 12/02/2011

The person whom wrote the template for the Voter ID laws just so happened to have been elected by a campaign that has received the maximum fine in KS for campaign finance fraud. I will presume that if it happening here, then I will presume that all supporters of voter ID have committed campaign finance fraud. Good logic.

[HTM]

04:02 PM on 12/02/2011

Now that is the question that need to be address.

[limstillme]

10:16 AM on 12/03/2011

ICTsiege316 posted: ".... I will presume that all supporters of voter ID have committed campaign finance fraud. Good logic." >>>>Nonsense! Using your "logic",then it would be "logical" to say 'because Hitler was a progressive and a nazi, all progressives are nazis.' I repeat, Nonsense!

[revblueroof]

04:48 PM on 12/02/2011

If you have proof of what you are saying, why haven't you taken it to the district atterny or the federal atterny in the area. If you do not have proof, and are just mimicing the words of semeone else, then do not present it as fact!
We heard alot from republicans about voter fraud in 2008, but how many legal cases came from the the claims, and how many were proven in court?
Rumor is easy to start, but without proof it is without merit.

[HTM]

02:20 PM on 12/02/2011

I am not sure about the issue only being a Black minority problem but rather there needs to be some rules for online voting and absentee ballots being cast during critical elections. Many of these following methods are being used by illegal immigrates and are counted as chads ballots or pending ballots that helps to determine most local and national elections. Yes, there seem to be discrimination at the polling places in several states but elected officials and American voters need to know that voters are who they claim to be before voting.

[wesx]

01:16 PM on 12/02/2011

Somehow is not comforting that politicians are saying that people that want to vote are too stupid to figure out how to get a ID . I do want my vote protected by requireing myself and others show ID when voteing. The thought of my vote being canceled out because of fraud is worth protecting.

[revblueroof]

04:55 PM on 12/02/2011

They are not saying people are too stupid to get ID, although you may thin that is the reason, which is your problem. What they are saying is getting such ID carries financial and logistical problem for many people and are placed in the way of those people in oreder to prevent them from voting.
An example of that is the ID law in WI, which requires people to get the ID at a DVM office, many of which have been closed or put on limited hours making it difficult for people to get them. Also in WI there is a fund to assist folks who cannot afford to fee connected to such IS, however, the folks in the DMV have been forbidden to notify people about that fund.

[limstillme]

10:49 AM on 12/03/2011

Your arguments would be just as valid to argue against requiring drivers licenses, enrolling in schools at any level, preschool through universities, registering for the draft, building permits, or any other permits, licenses, registrations, and even notarized documents. How about, naturalization papers for becoming a citizen, getting a passport to travel out of the country? Let's be fair to everyone and eliminate ever obstacle that may hamper anyone's activities .

[Ryan Noh]

01:08 PM on 12/02/2011

I'm pretty sure illegals aren't swarming to the polls, they you can look up evidence to the contrary, I'm pretty sure it's not that easy.
This will effect minorities who don't go for driver licenses ( don't have a car) and only use social security and what to get jobs and its like another obstacle to voting.
BUT its up to communities maybe the leader of these constituencies to make sure they have these things that they really SHOULD have no matter what.
Republicans may be doing it because they know it will shut down some votes, but this just highlights the real problem that needs to be fixed, they are exploiting peoples ignorance so we need to end that ignorance and make sure people are properly equipped to vote.

[revblueroof]

04:59 PM on 12/02/2011

You can be sure that people are making sure that people are getting these IDs, but the fact still remains that the republicans are working to supress voting. Many of these measures are being put in place to make it more difficult for voters to register, when we should be doing just the opposit.
But remember it was the republicans who went to the Supreme Court to supress vots in the 2008 election.

[limstillme]

10:35 AM on 12/03/2011

Every American should support suppression of votes cast for deceased, or by nonAmerican citizens and minors, and every other fraudulent vote. Posters that oppose requiring proof of eligibility to vote say that it may discourage some eligible voters. That's a concern that has not been proven. They also say, there should be no proof of eligibility required, because only a small number of voter fraud has been proven. How can they say their concern that has not been proven is more valid that our concern that has been proven only in small numbers?

[dtairtime]

01:46 AM on 12/03/2011

I live in WA We are one of the two states that openly give drivers licenses to illegals - no proof of citizenship needed. Thus we get LOTS of out of state illegals coming here to get their easy licenses. Just look at that reporter, Jose Antonio Vargas, who got his from WA even though he never lived here.

All you need to vote here is that license and to sign a form. Now I know you would never think illegals who steal ID, fraudulently don't pay taxes, break lots of immigration laws and lots more would NEVER stoop so low as to vote illegally but I would bet they do.

My point is when you live in a world of fraud and deceit there is no issue with voting for a politician who promises you amnesty. I'll bet we would be shocked to find out how many vote.

[lacaliffa1288]

12:26 PM on 12/02/2011

Registered voters are listed in a book that has a copy of their signature, address, etc. next to it in our county. When the voter arrives at the polls, they give their name and the clerk finds them in the book. The clerk verifies the information in the book and checks the signature against the one in the book. So, what is the problem? If someone wants to vote illegally, they can simply create a fake ID just as easily as a fake voter registration!

Voting is not a privilege; it is a right. If the Election Board is doing its job, there are very few problems with fraudulent voters. Republicans might just be shooting themselves in the foot with this one because they court the Amish vote in many states and those folks are unlikely to have or to obtain a photo ID in order to vote.

The real shame is the number of voters who don't bother to do the research to be informed voters and those who don't even bother to vote at all. People risk their lives to vote in some countries and we have beg people to go to the polls in the U.S. What a shame.

[Seven Teenatheart]

01:03 PM on 12/02/2011

Thank you for your post.

[limstillme]

02:18 PM on 12/03/2011

lacaliffa posted: "Republican­s might just be shooting themselves in the foot with this one because they court the Amish vote in many states and those folks are unlikely to have or to obtain a photo ID in order to vote." >>>>I am an independent, I have no emotional attachment to the Republicans. You've pointed out something I had not considered before. I am sure that the Republicans are aware that photo IDs will cost them some votes and they still are pushing for it because the IDs would assure honest election results . That's proof that they have a sense of fairness that people who oppose only legitimate voting do not have. Thank's for pointing this out

[Dianne Jarreau]

03:18 AM on 12/04/2011

@limstillme. In the states where the Amish are a major cultural group as founders of an agricultural community (which, in the case of the Eastern Seaboard or Mid-Atlantic states may go back to fairly early in the 17th;century), the Drivers Licensing Bureau or Dept. of Motor Vehicles, also provides a "non-driver's license" out of common courtesy to the founders of an early American Colony that became a state. I have one of those myself. Otherwise, I would have been unable to vote against Republicans in a Republican dominated state. In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, we did not have a Democrat as a Senator on the ballot until present-day Senator Casey ran for office. But there are Catch 22s in every provided.-system. When they initiated on-line renewals of your registration, there were no more photo I.D. taken for elderly renewals. However, it does bear all your other data.
Of course, what happened with the Democrat break through in having a State Senator, Obama swept the state of Pennsylvania. In the following voting period, it became necessary for outside observors to be brought in. Indicating that the local political order feared the votes of those who had voted him into office.

[Count of Anjou]

09:46 AM on 12/02/2011

Right, making EVERYONE PROVE they are ELLIGIBLE to vote is racist. That's BS!

[revblueroof]

05:02 PM on 12/02/2011

If that is all you read in the article, I would suggest that in your case they reinstitute the tests that were used during Jim Crow to qualify people to vote. You clearly do not have the knowledge needed to make an intellegent vote.

[revblueroof]

05:05 PM on 12/02/2011

You know it is unconstitutional for american citizens to accept foreigh titles, don't you. Your user name should disqualify you from votingbecause you are either a felon or not a citizen.

[MA2AW]

07:49 PM on 12/02/2011

Shut up. Where's the IDIOT Button? Oh, here it is. Idiot Flaged.

[aj1270]

08:36 AM on 12/02/2011

Why does the FEDERAL GOVT create voting laws and not the states when it comes to FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

[olitenup]

10:56 AM on 12/02/2011

dah. You need to do a better job of trolling if you are going to be paid.

[revblueroof]

05:07 PM on 12/02/2011

Because the US Constitution gives the obligation to the federal government to enforce the requirement for federal office. But I am sure that you do not want a little thing like the constitution to get in your way.

[aj1270]

05:17 PM on 12/02/2011

That is the point of my post. Why is the state law taking hold?

[truwajwa]

08:15 AM on 12/02/2011

I am a black American. This bull about voter i.d. being required is turning into plan dumb stuff. Just get an I.D. It is that simple. Stop following people around like you are unintelligent, you have a brain. Just get an I.D. Again, it is that simple. I remember growing up in North Carolina and voting people came to our home wanting my family members to go and vote again in place of people who were dead or out of state. Yes, my family was democratic. So really, get an I.D. and you won't have a problem voting. Think about it. Why don't the democratic party want voters to prove who they are? You go a get a surgery; you have to prove who you are. You cash a check you have to prove who you are. Just think, if you can't afford to get one call your nearest democratic party chair and he/she would be glad to pay for it. Stop being lead like sheep, you have a brain.