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The Real Evil: GOP Voter Suppression – A State Guide
The Real Evil: GOP Voter Suppression – A State Guide
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According to the Brennan Center for Justice, a number of new laws have been enacted or are in the process of being enacted that would potentially remove 5 million eligible voters from being able to cast a ballot in 2012. It is estimated that the result of these new laws will transfer 171 electoral votes that would normally be votes for the Democrats to the Republicans. That is 63% of the total electoral votes needed to be elected President.
There are at least 19 laws that have already been passed throughout the United States making it more difficult to vote. There are 42 bills pending a decision and another 68 that were introduced by different states , but, failed to pass. The fact remains, Republicans are doing everything they can to try to win the Presidency back from Obama in 2012.
The legislative approach is actually a 5-pronged attack on our current voting laws. Photo ID laws are perhaps the most restrictive of all. They require anyone who wishes to vote to present a valid, government-issued photo ID before being allowed to register and vote. Proof of Citizenship laws introduced by no less than 12 separate states require one to show a birth certificate or other similar proof that they are a US citizen. Another 13 states have introduced bills that would not permit same-day voter registration and ballot casting. They have also tried to make it more difficult to get to the polling places and cut down the time one has to register to vote. Nine more states including Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Ohio have successfully passed laws to reduce the time to vote early or by absentee ballot. Finally, Florida and Iowa reversed prior executive actions that made it easier for felons to regain their right to vote.
Let us look at some specific laws and policies being pursued in some of these states.
more...
http://veracitystew.com/2011/11/04/the-real-evil-gop-voter-suppression-a-state-guide/