Posted on 06/29/2011 2:12:04 PM PDT by mdittmar
Restrictive Voter ID Laws Could Disenfranchise Thousands of Eligible Voters
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) today requested that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) carefully review highly restrictive photo identification voter requirements that are under consideration or recently signed into law in several states that could potentially disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters.
In a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, Bennet—along with Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV) and U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (IL), Chuck Schumer (NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Sherrod Brown (OH), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Jeff Merkley (OR), Mark Begich (AK), Ben Cardin (MD), Mary Landrieu (LA), Patty Murray (WA), Ron Wyden (OR), Tom Harkin (IA), Herb Kohl (WI) and Tom Udall (NM)—expressed serious concerns about voter identification laws, which could disenfranchise American voters.
“These measures have the potential to block millions of eligible American voters without addressing any problem commensurate with this kind of restriction on voting rights. Voting is the foundation of our democracy, and we urge you to protect the voting rights of Americans by using the full power of the Department of Justice to review these voter identification laws and scrutinize their implementation,” the Senators wrote in the letter.
Under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, DOJ is granted significant authority to review laws before they are implemented in covered jurisdictions. Covered jurisdictions have the burden of proof to establish that changes in their laws will not have a discriminatory impact on minority voters. In states not covered by Section 5, DOJ can exercise vigilance in overseeing whether these laws are implemented in a way that discriminates against protected classes in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. DOJ also has authority under the Voting Rights Act to require that all individual’s qualified to vote in a jurisdiction be held to the same standards, practices and procedures.
Since January, voter ID laws have been passed in Wisconsin, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Kansas and Tennessee; Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire are also considering proposals.
These laws have the potential to disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters and disproportionately affect particular populations. Studies have shown that as high as 11 percent of eligible voters nationwide do not have a government-issued ID. This percentage is higher among seniors, racial minorities, low-income voters and students.
Research has turned up few cases of the kind of voter fraud photo ID laws would prevent, and voter impersonation already is punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines under federal law.
Full text of the letter is included below.
Dear Attorney General Holder:
We are writing to express our concerns about highly restrictive photo identification requirements under consideration or already signed into law in several states. These measures have the potential to block millions of eligible American voters without addressing any problem commensurate with this kind of restriction on voting rights. Studies have shown that as high as 11% of eligible voters nationwide do not have a government-issued ID. This percentage is higher for seniors, racial minorities, low-income voters and students. Voting is the foundation of our democracy, and we urge you to protect the voting rights of Americans by using the full power of the Department of Justice to review these voter identification laws and scrutinize their implementation.
Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act vests significant authority in the Department to review laws before they are implemented in covered jurisdictions. As you know, the burden of proof in this preclearance process is on those covered jurisdictions, which must be able to show that legal changes will not have a discriminatory impact on minority voters. New photo identification laws, for instance, must be subjected to the highest scrutiny as states justify these new barriers to participation. In Section 5 jurisdictions, whenever photo identification legislation is considered, the Department should closely monitor the legislative process to track any unlawful intent evinced by the proceedings.
Restrictive photo identification requirements are also being considered or have passed in states and jurisdictions that are not covered by Section 5. The Department should exercise vigilance in overseeing whether these laws are implemented in a way that discriminates against protected classes in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Additionally, federal civil rights law – 42 U.S.C. 1971(a)(2)- prohibits different standards, practices or procedures from being applied to individuals within a jurisdiction. We believe the Department should ensure that these photo identification laws do not violate this statute or other federal voting rights statutes.
Highly restrictive photo identification requirements at the polls can make it more difficult for well-intentioned voters to cast their ballots, and as far as America’s civil rights trajectory is concerned, that sort of effect takes America in the wrong direction. We urge you to exercise your authority to examine these laws so that voting rights are not jeopardized. We also request that you brief us on the efforts the Department is undertaking to ensure these new laws are implemented in accordance with the Voting Rights Act.
Thank you for your work protecting the civil rights of all Americans.
Excellent art —and a durn good suggestion too.It may get messy if we have enough American left willing to put the fight to the enemy.
Holder can stall this for a few years, so it will not impact 2012.
But liberals know the writing is on the wall for their fraud operation.
I wonder how many state attorney generals will refuse to enforce these laws?
Is the DOJ still refusing to enforce the law requiring the states to clean up their voter role lists? T
“Studies have shown that as high as 11 percent of eligible voters nationwide do not have a government-issued ID. This percentage is higher among seniors, racial minorities, low-income voters and students.”
So, how’d they get registered to vote in the first place? Hmm?
Notice that it’s strictly democraps that are whining about it. The dirty swine are afraid that their rigged elections might be put into jeopardy.
Lastly, where was all this concern last election when NY and Il. did not send out absentee ballots in a timely fashion to thousands of troops stationed overseas?
The stench of democrap hypocrisy is overwhelming.
Only the southern states have this restriction as far as I know.
democraps worry about winning one election at a time. They care about nothing else, but winning. They are thinking about 2012.
The DOJ will file a lawsuit not too far ahead of the 2012 election and because they will have gone judge shopping, will get a sympathetic cockroach federal judge to at least grant them a stay in the states being allowed to implement the law. This will keep democrap fraud in play for 2012.
I only want to know one thing. Did they count the military votes from the 2008 election yet?
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
By the time Holder gets through with approval of redistricting in states where mandated and now potential messing with the states voter ID laws the democrats may win a majority without a sweat.
“So, how’d they get registered to vote in the first place? Hmm?”
Bears repeating. YOU NEED ID TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! So if you had to produce ID to register, how is it a hardship to produce ID to exercise your right to vote?
I seriously doubt it.
Gosh, I wonder why.
Who did the study showing 11% and when was it done. Can’t trust without verifying.
You can use your utility bill to prove you are eligible to register to vote in Georgia. And the state of Georgia will give you a FREE picture ID to be used for voting. Really strict rules for voting here/S.
I believe those studies may have shot a little low on the 11% not having ID. If the locals around here are any indication, most of the liberal constituents are running around with no ID. The better to give the police a false name when you are picked up!
On a high speed train?
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