Tea Party Voter Suppression Group Under Investigation For Possible ‘Criminal Conspiracy’

[cal04]

http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/10/05/969971/tea-party-voter-suppression-group-under-investigation-for-possible-criminal-conspiracy/

The Tea Party organization launching a multi-pronged voter suppression effort this election is under investigation by Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) for a possible “criminal conspiracy to deny legitimate voters their constitutional rights.”
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-voting-rights-tea-party-20121004,0,3351653.story

Cummings sent a letter to True the Vote founder Catherine Engelbrecht warning her that the Ohio branch of the group, in suing to throw thousands of students, trailer park residents, homeless people and African Americans off the voting rolls, may be violating the law:

At some point, an effort to challenge voter registrations by the thousands without any legitimate basis may be evidence of illegal voter suppression. If these efforts are intentional, politically motivated and widespread across multiple states, they could amount to a criminal conspiracy to deny legitimate voters their constitutional rights.

True the Vote released a statement affirming their support for the Ohio voter purge advocates on Monday:

Congressman opens voting rights probe of tea party group
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-voting-rights-tea-party-20121004,0,3351653.story

[Politicalboi]

1. Oh but, this isn't political

These are just "true" American Patriots making sure that the election isn't swayed in any way.

[Kurovski]

8. I'm weeping and lost in a wave of patriotic ferver.

oh, my mistake, it's racist fury. Easy mistake.

[Laurian]

2. Kudos to Rep. Cummings. I'm so happy to see someone challenge these lunatics.

Just who in the hell do they think they are to assume any role in deciding who can and who cannot vote! Ignorant fools.....

[Frustratedlady]

3. Cummings would be the perfect person to do so.

I don't think too many would argue with him. He knows what he's talking about.

[iemitsu]

4. i hope this investigation leads to further examination

of the value of our vote.
we need some public discussion and clarification of how our democracy works.
we also need clarification of what our role is, in determining our policies and futures.
we need to establish for all citizens (not state by state) who is eligible to vote and how one is to establish that eligibility.
IMO:
those criteria need to be determined as broadly as possible.
every adult citizen ought to have the inalienable right to vote.
voting ought to be made as easy and portable as possible.
verifying our votes ought to be easily and accurately done since both the government and private industry have no trouble tracking everything else about our lives.
and counting the vote needs to be verifiable and open (no private companies involved).

i may be forgetting important aspects of voting rights but dealing with these issues would be a good starting point to bring renewal to our country.

oh: establish clear and enforceable punishment for tampering with the voting process.

[tk2kewl]

5. k&r

[ananda]

6. They need to be completely stopped right now.

Not just investigated.

[Tx4obama]

7. K&R n/t

[surrealAmerican]

9. entirely appropriate

They need to be investigated.

k& r