Posted on 04/15/2005 5:11:43 PM PDT by hsmomx3
U.S. Attorney General disagrees with Napolitano on Voter I.D. at Polls
Opinion Letter from DOJ concludes Brewer’s Prop. 200 bill does not violate federal laws
PHOENIX – Secretary of State Jan Brewer today received official word from the U.S. Department of Justice that her efforts to implement Proposition 200 provisions requiring proper identification at the polls, does not violate federal law. This opinion directly contradicts Governor Napolitano’s veto message on April 1st which incorrectly concluded that S.B. 1118 “conflicts with federal law.”
The letter from Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Sheldon T. Bradshaw of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, states: “it is our considered judgment that neither HAVA nor any other provision of federal law preempts states from imposing identification requirements at the polls, including identification requirements for the receipt of provisional ballots.” The Civil Rights Division is specifically charged with enforcing and interpreting Title III of the Help America Vote Act, which includes the provisional ballot requirements.
Bradshaw’s letter to Brewer also noted that, “if a State such as Arizona wishes to impose identification requirements that are stricter than HAVA, it may do so without violating the statute.”
Stated Secretary of State Jan Brewer, “I told the Governor that this bill was not in violation of federal law, yet instead of working towards implementing the will of over 1 million voters, she chose to play legal games.” “I was extremely disappointed that the Governor based her veto on her interpretation of HAVA and I’ll remind her that the job of enforcing these laws lies directly with the U.S. Department of Justice, and they have spoken,” added Brewer.
As noted by the Department of Justice, all elections -- including federal elections -- are left up to the States to administer. In Arizona, the voters passed by Initiative Proposition 200 to insure the security and integrity of our elections and combat voter fraud. Today’s opinion letter confirms that SB 1118 was proper and in compliance with federal laws and regulations.
Brewer went on to state, “it is our job as election administrators to implement the wishes of the voters without delay, yet the Governor’s veto of SB 1118 has set back the timely implementation of Proposition 200, and done so based on an incorrect interpretation of federal law.” Brewer said, “I call on the Governor and State Legislature to immediately and proactively pass new legislation, identical to SB 1118, so that there can be no further delay in implementing the ID provision of Proposition 200 as passed by voters last November.”
It's recall time in Arizona. The requirement for voter I.D.s was voted in by the Arizona voters. I know we don't mean much to a bunch of politicians but Napolitano had no right to veto WHAT THE PEOPLE VOTED FOR. It's time to toss her out!
Could the Guv be peddling pissola?
Stated [Arizona] Secretary of State Jan Brewer, "I told the Governor that this bill [Prop 200] was not in violation of federal law, yet instead of working towards implementing the will of over 1 million voters, she chose to play legal games."
ALL Democrats HATE VOTER ID......Cause, I think they know if it gets passed......the game is over for them!
Thanks for the pings...this is great news.
Now, the Governor takes back the veto, or the legislature over-rides it. I'm making my calls Monday morning.
This actually deserves a Border Ping.
The Governor got her comeuppance today. Or at least, she got the opening act.
Let's see what happens before the curtain falls...
That's how we got Gray Davis' worthless ass tossed in the street. And if Arnold doesn't start honoring some of his campaign commitments, he's not going to see a next term either.
I remember when Gray Davis got tossed yhis guv was asked about it. She said it didn't worry her, since recalling in Arizona is more complicated. IMO< She seemed a little smug.
Glad to see you are all over this one. Democrats try and block anything that will clean up elections. The rats want all these illegals voting.
Perhaps it is, but Arizona conservatives need to examine this question in depth. After what we did in California, all of these crapweasels are running scared. They never know when such a movement will gather enough steam to succeed. Don't assume you can't do it.
Stated [Arizona] Secretary of State Jan Brewer, "I told the Governor that this bill [Prop 200] was not in violation of federal law, yet instead of working towards implementing the will of over 1 million voters, she chose to play legal games."
What does the will of 1, 10 or 100 million voters mean to a socialist politician or judge? Nothing.
The problem in Arizona is that the Republican "crapweasels" from Phoenix and Maricopa County (and their running dog John McCain) own the party. Thus, one has difficulty deciding if Republicans in the hinterland are viewing a clown show or a jackal feast.
Nam Vet
I don't understand. This was an initiative, right? Does the AZ governor have veto power over an initiative? If not, why is the author calling for the legislature to pass a new, identical bill?
Recall Napolitano a la Gray Dimbulb Davis of California...
Jan Brewer is AWESOME!!! I wouldn't mind her being our governor.
The recall McCain movement had a lot of steam until after 9/11 when the commitee decided it would be in the nations best interest to postpone the effort...it has not yet re-surfaced, I believe due in part to McCain's tough stance on terrorism and support of the war(s)...then again...He's still a RINO...
JN needs to be recalled, this smack in the face by Brewer and the JD should be a wake up for her.
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