North Carolina On Cusp Of Passing Worst Voter Suppression Bill In The Nation

[octoberlib]

The highly-conservative North Carolina legislature just released a new voter suppression bill that would enact not just voter ID, but a host of other new initiatives designed to make it more difficult to vote. A significant roadblock to the legislation was removed last month when the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, making it easier for states with a history of racial discrimination like North Carolina to enact new voter suppression laws.
The Senate will consider substituted language for HB 589 on Tuesday afternoon. Among the dozens of changes, these are the most onerous for North Carolina voters:

Making it easier for voter suppression groups like True The Vote to challenge any voter who they think may be ineligible by requiring that challengers simply be registered in the same county, rather than precinct, of those they challenge.

Vastly increasing the number of “poll observers” and increasing what they’re permitted to do. In 2012, ThinkProgress caught the Romney campaign training such poll observers using highly misleading information.

Only permitting citizens to vote in their specific precinct, rather than casting a ballot in any nearby ward or election district. This can lead to widespread confusion, particularly in urban areas where many precincts can often be housed in the same building.


Preventing counties from extending polling hours in the event of long lines or other extraordinary circumstances and making it more difficult for them to accommodate elderly or disabled voters with satellite polling sites at nursing homes, for instance.

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/07/23/2340941/nc-voter-suppression/



I didn't know anything about the poll observers. The Justice Dept needs to monitor all our elections. This makes me sick.

[FBaggins]

1. We're number one!

crud.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

5. Number One, twice! NC is the ONLY state to eliminate...

federal extended unemployment benefits.

Sickening.

[grilled onions]

2. This is just insane

In the sixties as I was on the fringe of being able to vote they had tables set up at every city festival to get people interested in the voting process. It made you felt very much part of our government as they encouraged those of voting age to be part of the voting public. In school government class kept talking about how fair the process was that encouraged everyone to vote--young,old,all races,male,female etc so here we are so here we are some fifty odd years later and the buffoons ruining this country are doing their best to ensure only select people will be able to vote. Forget the seniors! Forget the disabled! (I guess that stops a lot of veterans votes who often are seniors AND disabled). Forget the young adults! Forget the minorities! Forget those without $$$$ ! This is NOT democracy. This is DEMON-ocracy at its' finest!

[msongs]

3. good thing the USAG is too busy chasing marijuana users to notice nt

[mmonk]

4. Those "poll observers" better be well armed if they take a notion

to approach any family member of mine.

[cyberswede]

10. Actually, voter fraud is rare

http://www.gastongazette.com/opinion/columns/column-upon-examination-voter-fraud-in-nc-is-rare-1.119632

Most allegations prove to be unfounded, lack criminal intent, or cannot be substantiated; however, we refer matters to the appropriate district attorney’s office for their consideration.” This is, incidentally, consistent with a five-year voter fraud study, 2000 through 2007, conducted by the US Department of Justice, President George W. Bush Administration.

Conclusion: There were 86 suspected fraud cases found out of 300 million votes cast. FACT: There is no substantiated evidence that voter fraud has compromised the integrity of our election process, state or national.

[Lee-Lee]

8. Called a bunch of offices today

Told each one I lived in their district- they don't know better and they listen instead of blowing you off as a vote they can't lose.

[octoberlib]

9. +1