Disenfranchising voters without penalty

[wysiwyg]

Today's Republicans can not be trusted to impartially administer elections.

How many more elections will we have to endure Republican efforts to keep likely Democratic voters from the polls? Even when Jeb Bush allows a flawed purge list to go forward when the errors favor his party he isn't penalized. Constant efforts are made now to block provisional ballots; some are even combined with misleading voters on where to vote.

Republicans always say it was an honest mistake to disenfranchise 20,000 potential voters because 100 might be voting when, or where, they shouldn't. Specifically, in the case of the Florida purge, it was no doubt claimed to be an "honest mistake" when likely pro-Republican Florida hispanic voters were excluded from the purge. It'd be an honest mistake if Republicans actually hurt their own party which rarely, if ever, happens in these situations.

The Justice department is supposed to prevent violation of voting rights but they are obviously ineffective and inactive or possibly even, with the current administration, blocking efforts to protect voters.

Other than increasing turnout enough to overcome efforts to keep voters from the polls is there anything that can be done when the majority of people don't care?

[LongTomH]

1. If we get a Democratic senate

If we get a Democratically controlled senate, and an Attorney General appointed by a Democratic president, maybe we'll see prosecutions for violations of the voting rights act.

The first priority for the new congress should be to strengthen the voting rights act with stiff penalties for election fraud.

[wysiwyg]

3. Kind of like Jeffords stopped the CA "energy crisis"

You're right, having actual Congressional oversight would be helpful. I always marvelled at how Sen. Jefford's giving control of the Senate to the Democrats immediately seemed to stop the California so-called "energy crisis". Having subpoena power in the hands of Democrats would be a great thing. (assuming they'd actually use it)

If the right-wing GOP still controls the Senate they'll only be interested in investigating past campaign contributions made to then Senator Kerry.

[Nite Owl]

2. I know exactly what you are feeling

They do something and we lose, they pay a small fine and say opps. The election should be overturned and they fine should be paid to us for the cost of the election. It has to be some major consequence. Jail would be nice. We need to get a good Dem congress to pass some laws and most of all we have to keep on them and not forget, ever.