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

[babylonsister]

Thank you, Rep. Cummings. They should NOT be able to get away with this. I am glad someone is paying attention.

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

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

By Aviva Shen on Oct 5, 2012 at 4:10 pm


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.”

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:

True the Vote stands by the well-intentioned efforts of these citizens and is disgusted by the attempts of some within government and media to warp what should have been a simple, legal process into a calculated partisan charade.

snip//

Rather than rely solely on these initiatives, True the Vote is also mobilizing a national network of volunteer poll watchers to challenge and intimidate voters on Election Day. In light of the misinformation and questionable tactics disseminated in these volunteer trainings, Rep. Cummings is seeking “the data you have been using to challenge voter registrations, the training you have been providing volunteers to conduct these activities, and the manner in which you have been determining where to deploy your resources in select jurisdictions.”

[wildeyed]

1. Reps have always put "poll watchers" at the polls in minority precincts,

at least in my state. Glad that they are finally getting called out. True the Vote is a nasty group.

[bigtree]

2. he was my Rep. before they redrew the district

Good guy, always on the spot for worthy causes; this is an outstanding effort by Rep. Cummings.

rec'd

[valerief]

3. Finally, calling it what it is. Criminal conspiracy. nt

[porphyrian]

4. . n/t

[vaberella]

5. The problem is, these people don't fear the law until they see raids & handcuffs coming at them. n/t

[99Forever]

6. True that.

And we all know that isn't going to happen.

Just consider it the added benefits of capitulating to bullies.

[jerseyjack]

7. Google your state's election laws .

Ours (NJ) allows a limited number of poll challengers and TTV challengers would be illegal if there in addition to those allowed by the parties.

TTV people at the polls may violate your state's laws.

[drm604]

8. I applaud Rep. Cummings efforts.

Legally, what are his powers here? Can he do more than send letters?

[abelenkpe]

9. K&R

[drm604]

10. Can we have poll watcher watchers?

Can we send out people to watch the poll watchers and make sure that they stay within the law and don't harass people?

[Pathwalker]

11. I hope they don't challenge me again, this time.

A township official tried to intimidate me in 2008, pretending he didn't know who was, until I reminded him exactly who I was, and then he was the one who was intimidated. My uncles, father, brothers, cousins and eldest son are all war veterans, and I will NOT be refused my right to vote. I despise these hideous people who are the real traitors to America! Go get 'em, Rep. Cummings!

[hue]

12. K&R!

[drm604]

13. I just checked my state's (Pennsylvania) laws regarding poll watchers.

I don't know about other states but in PA any candidate running in a district and each party that has one or more candidates running in that district may appoint poll watchers, no one else can, and each poll watcher must be a qualified registered elector in the county where the district is located. So some self appointed organization can't just arbitrarily send people wherever they want.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:Skjzo92mdUIJ:www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt%3Fopen%3D18%26objID%3D488600%26mode%3D2+&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShf-Bf5VNTWUgEUrH5Gf2eF4HeA6IH-zM7XpSU3K8ndfRxYyO8bsm2Bf71d7_dnK2M9yYaRGugqHGxVbhTCl7OSkLWjAf_kQPioOvNcmpBjxvZe8fQPHsB_vCcWZDiMMr1OiUG1&sig=AHIEtbT2Tgp12_axp8O_CGV2nVmhA2wmOw

[caveat_imperator]

14. I hope voter suppression and intimidation will be counted as treasonous in the Constitution one day.

[CoffeeCat]

15. My neighbor is a tea-party member...

He's empowered by the "brilliance" of Glenn Beck and he's often amped up on Sean Hannity. He thinks he's the smartest person in the room, and that everyone else who doesn't listen to Glenn Beck is missing the real truth. This guy is a walking meatball, with no common sense--yet he's taken it upon himself to enlighten everyone at our neighborhood picnics of "the truth that we should all know."

To think that this f'n idiot can comb the voter rolls and call out people who he deems unfit to vote---is just despicable. To think that this guy will be poll watching, for fraud--is beyond the pale.

Glenn Beck has been urging his minions to go to the true the vote website and sign up to volunteer.

This is an army of idiots, amped up on fear and hate--and they've got our voter rolls in their grubby paws; and they'll be at a polling place near you--challenging your vote!

None of this should even be allowed. It is disgusting and outrageous. It is an affront to democracy.

I can't wait until one of them approaches me at the polling place. I'll be dialing 911.

I'd advise EVERYONE to make sure that you are registered to vote. Even if you think you are registered, you could be purged without your knowledge. This is one of the tactics that will happen. People will show up to vote, as per usual, and lo and behold--you'll be told that you were taken off the rolls. It will happen. Please everyone, Google your state and make sure that you are registered. Do it a few times before the election.

[Cha]

16. thank you, Elijah!

Thanks babylonsistah