Think You Have the Right to Vote? Not So Much!

Folks, think you have the right to vote? Maybe not so much. I've been working with some good folks focusing on Voter Suppression issues that are happening across the country. There are some bad actors who are trying to pass legislation that will keep eligible people from voting.

What I learned in high school civics class is that an attack on voting rights is virtually the same as an attack on the country. So I asked people smarter than me to help me do what George Washington would have wanted me to do, collect and release the information you're getting from us today.

I worked with the craigconnects team to create an extremely fact-checked infographic to show what's been going on. I feel that people in the social sector are starting to work together in more and better ways -- the good people at Brennan Center for Justice, League of Women Voters, Rock the Vote, and Voto Latino have been very helpful with all of their research and surveys. These folks aren't social workers or do-gooders, they're just trying to defend Americans and Founding Father values; it's basic patriotism.

Voter Suppression is happening across the U.S. as restrictive voting laws are being both introduced and passed. 164 laws were introduced in states that would restrict U.S. Citizens from voting in the 2012 U.S. Election.

Restrictive voting has taken these forms:

• Eliminating election-day registration


• Restricting third-party voter registration activities


• Reducing the number of days for early voting


• Legislation requiring photo ID for in-person voting

Restrictions most heavily disenfranchise young, minority, and low-income voters, as well as voters with disabilities. We need to prevent bad legislation from preventing people to vote in the 2012 U.S. election.

Funnily enough, though, Protecting the Vote explains that between 2000 and 2007 there have been 32,299 reports of UFO sightings, 352 deaths caused by lightning, and only 9 instances of possible voter impersonation.

Some other important stuff we uncovered:

• 5 million eligible voters may find it harder to vote in the 2012 U.S. election due to the voter suppression laws.


• Voter ID laws could cost taxpayers $65.8 million in 4 states: PA, IN, NC, MI. All of these states had huge budget shortfalls in 2011.


• 34 states introduced legislation requiring voters to show photo ID in order to vote.


• More than 20 million voting age citizens don't have the type of photo ID required by the state voter ID laws.


• The people who don't have a government issued photo ID?




• Aged 65+ = 18 percent


• Whites = 8 percent


• Latinos = 19 percent


• Blacks = 25 percent


• Asian-Americans = 20 percent




• 3 states passed laws slashing early voting periods by 50 percent. One to two million voters will be affected by the reduction of early voting periods.


• 15 states introduced legislation that would require proof of citizenship to register and to vote. This will affect 696,000 citizens and potential voters.

Again, all of this data has been very seriously fact-checked. My gut says that people have always wanted to help others more, but thought they were the exception and there was nothing they could do. Now, on the net you can see that others feel like you do, and that you can get stuff done together. There are a lot of drives and good organizations that you can get involved with. Check out the infographic and the Voter Suppression resources list we put together for some tips on where to get involved.

Awareness and helping to spread the word is a big deal, but understanding a given issue and its complexities is equally important for folks who want to stand up for change.

 

 

 

Follow Craig Newmark on Twitter: www.twitter.com/craignewmark

Comments

[Njeanous]

10:02 PM on 05/20/2012

Jury Duty comes with voting rights. People who are not legitimate do not abuse voter registration. The few whacks that do are immediately identified. My city must have a really small pool to draw from cause I get called for jury duty every 18 months to the day like clock work. If there were a significant number of phonies we’d know about it. They’d show up to vote with gloves on cause I am sure the fingerprint hounds would be on their trail. Let’s get real.

[Snake1994]

04:14 PM on 04/03/2012

Voter suppression laws! If you are a US citizen you have the right to vote. If you are an illegal alien you do not. End of story.

[Viper1st]

06:13 PM on 04/02/2012

> 310 million reside in the USA

> 208 million are" eligible" to vote

> 174 million are "registered" to vote

> 94 million historically "actually vote" in U.S. National Elections = 45% voter turn out

Where's the legislation mandating the 55% (114.4 million eligible non-voters) must vote?

> 114.4 million eligible non-voters, historically not voting in U.S. National Elections ~ and Democrats are so worried about a possible 5 million voters being dis-enfranchised.

Filed Under ASININE

[C Winebrinner]

03:27 PM on 04/02/2012

It's curious that the current crop of Republicans are SO AGAINST voter fraud. Why?

Is that how they got elected?

Why else would they be so hell bent on their quest?

If not, then the TRUE reason stands out for all to see.

[Viper1st]

03:46 PM on 04/02/2012

At what other time in the USA's history, has there been 11.2 million illegals in the USA's border, unauthorized to work in the USA ~ But, ARE Working illegally.

How are those illegals, whom are working in the USA obtaining employment? By using identity theft I.D.s ~ a common everyday way of life for illegals in the USA, as fugitives from ICE Agents.

The same identity theft I.D.s that illegals use to obtain employment as unauthorized to workers in the USA ~ the very same I.D.s that can be used to register to vote AND vote in the USA

Case in Point ~

"In Alaska, Mora-Lopez used Rafael Espinoza's name, Social Security number and date of birth to apply for a state driver's license, according to authorities. Besides receiving permanent fund dividends, Mora-Lopez also used the false identity to vote in national and local elections, according to the federal court papers."

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2011/08/25/2031423/illegal-immigrant-ex-officer-set.html#storylink=cpy

[Viper1st]

03:13 PM on 04/02/2012

> Please cite, just one instance of "Voter Suppression" conviction ~ even the New Black Panthers, have been granted a voter suppression waiver by Obama/Holder DOJ

> May 28, 2008 ~ The United States Supreme Court, upheld mandated Voter Photo I.D. ~ "Supreme Court upholds voter ID law - Stevens: Law justified to protect integrity, reliability of electoral process".

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24351798/ns/politics/t/supreme-court-upholds-voter-id-law/

[watchingduck]

01:16 PM on 04/02/2012

Good post. Election laws are crucial to a healthy government by the people. We then need to get people to participate, but we should look for ways to make that more possible and not less possible. I think we should consider a few changes to election laws that would mitigate some of these issues. 1. Federal elections should be governed by federal law. Different state laws governing federal election participation creates problems with "one man, one vote". 2. Election Day should be a national holiday. 3.We should change how representation is allocated in congress, which consequently also includes the electoral college. Currently, we allocate representation based on the census. That should be changed. Allocation should be made according to how many citizens in each state actually voted in the last 4 year (presidential) election. Democracies work when citizens have the right to vote and are able to use it. If certain states discourage voters from participating, then they should be penalized in allocation. Why should we allocate more representation for people who do not/can not vote? This protects "one man, one vote", and also encourages participation.

[hicksticks2001]

12:13 PM on 04/02/2012

"Protecting the Vote explains that between 2000 and 2007 there have been 32,299 reports of UFO sightings, 352 deaths caused by lightning, and only 9 instances of possible voter impersonation."

So there were only 9 instances of reported voter impersonation reported? How many times did it happen when it wasn't reported?

This is my point exactly - you can't claim that there isn't evidence that a crime is taking place when there is zero possibilities to catch someone trying to break the law. My guess is that those 9 times were people impersonating on purpose to show people how easy it is.

Right now it is very easy to commit voter fraud - it shouldn't be that easy. Why should we take someone's word when it comes to voting? This makes it very easy for people who aren't registered to vote, or to vote many times.

At my polling station, all i do is go in, point to my name on a list, sign my name, and then they let me vote. I could easily go back in, point to another name on the list, sign that person's name, and go at it again.

[fedup363]

02:45 PM on 04/02/2012

Not enough times to warrant taking away the right to vote from potentially hundreds of thousands of citizens. What are you afraid of? That Obama will win another election?

[hicksticks2001]

03:18 PM on 04/02/2012

" taking away the right "
lol, this is really funny to hear you say that. Since no one's right to vote is being taken away. (unless you are referring to people that never had the right to vote in the first place)

[C Winebrinner]

03:32 PM on 04/02/2012

That's how all these extreme right wing Republicans got elected! And now they want to make sure the other side doesn't pick up on the idea!

And go ahead-I dare you to try that at your polling station. If you reside as far back in the rural areas as your username describes, they will recognize you!

Heck, I live in small town, America myself, and I know over half the people behind the desk by name!