Trump's Goon Squads

[amb123]

If you look at Donald Trump’s website you’ll find an application form for election monitors “to help stop crooked Hillary from rigging this election.” It is Trump’s purpose to undermine the fair electoral process as a face-saving alibi for his impending electoral defeat.

*snip*

Given the hostility between Trump and the Republican National Committee, it is highly unlikely that these so- called monitors would receive appropriate instruction or education, but rather would simply be turned loose on these “certain areas of states”, Trump’s euphemism for minority districts. As a long-time poll watcher in the United States, South Asia and South America, I have seen how electoral processes can be disrupted by frivolous challenges, malicious signature and ID checking, and other forms of voter intimidation.

Such harassment would likely lead to huge back-ups, multi-hour-long voting lines and even potential violence. It would ultimately undermine the confidence of the American people in the election outcome.

And this is exactly what Mr. Trump wants - a preemptive alibi for his anticipated electoral catastrophe.

*snip*

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-siegel/trumps-goon-squads_b_11850034.html?section=us_politics

[Binkie The Clown]

1. Here in Oregon we do it right. Vote by mail.

Every registered voter gets a ballot. No hoops, no bullshit. fill out your ballot and mail it back or drop it at the nearest government office or local library. No possibility whatsoever of intimidation by goon squads.

[GP6971]

3. Same here in Washington n/t

[Lochloosa]

2. Let them try to stop me from voting.

[world wide wally]

4. What a sickening threat to democracy from a total asshole

[Beartracks]

5. Know how they figure a Hillary win will mean she cheated?

Probably because they're already planning to rig it, so if Hillary wins anyway they'll figure something must be up.

"How did she win?? I thought we had it hacked in our favor!!"

Republican Rule #1: Always accuse your opponent of doing the thing you're already planning to do.

==================

[JonathanRackham]

6. We really need the police assigned to minority election sites.

Sad times in America.

[Gothmog]

7. The Democrats will be prepared

If these people are directly associated with Trump, then they are covered by an injunction that the Democrats have kept in place since 1982. http://electionlawblog.org/?p=85289

In the consent decree, “The RNC agreed that the RNC, its agents, servants, and employees would be bound by the Decree, ‘whether acting directly or indirectly through other party committees.” Does Trump count as the RNC’s agent in these circumstances? They are certainly acting in concert, and it is plausible to argue that Trump and the RNC are agents of each other for purposes of this election. Also, the activity Trump is talking about engaging violate the consent decree? One thing the consent decree says is that they must:

(e) refrain from undertaking any ballot security activities in polling places or election districts where the racial or ethnic composition of such districts is a factor in the decision to conduct, or the actual conduct of, such activities there and where a purpose or significant effect of such activities is to deter qualified voters from voting; and the conduct of such activities disproportionately in or directed toward districts that have a substantial proportion of racial or ethnic populations shall be considered relevant evidence of the existence of such a factor and purpose…

If this activity violates the consent decree, the DNC can ask for it to be extended for up to another 8 years.

I have been busy recruiting good democrats to be poll workers. The best thing that one can do to protect the vote is to work as an election worker. A good democrat serving as an election judge, assistant election judge or poll worker can do a great deal to protect the vote. Poll watchers are a poor substitute for having someone work the election as a poll worker