The Freedom to Vote

It's pretty unbelievable that legislation as critical to our democracy is being attacked, even dismantled.

Today the House considers the Voting Rights Act reauthorization. Despite the promises of the Republican leadership to bring this bipartisan, bicameral bill up under suspension of the rules – with no amendments - the House will consider four extremely dangerous amendments.

These amendments should be defeated. They each chip away at the protections of the Voting Rights Act, weakening it. When we allow that to happen we weaken our democracy. The Voting Rights Act was aimed at preventing tactics like literacy tests, poll taxes, intimidation, threats, and violence, which kept many Americans from exercising their freedom to vote. Today the danger of discrimination still exists, which is why the Voting Rights Act is critical.

For 41 years this law has protected our freedom to vote, and it has been reauthorized, on a bipartisian basis, time and again. Yet this Republican Congress is trying to change that with their amendments intended to strip the Voting Rights Act of many critical provisions.

They want to eliminate oversight:
Republican Congressman Norwood of Georgia wants to revise the provisions of Section 5 of the VRA which mandates that the Justice Department approve any changes to electoral process in places with a history of discrimination. This Section is still critical - in fact it's been the only thing stopping over a thousand different changes which the Justice Department has objected to as discriminatory since the last voting rights reauthorization in 1982.

They want to eliminate 15 years of protection:
Republican Congressman Gohmert of Texas wants to cut the reauthorization period down to 10 years - instead of the recommended 25 year reauthorization period that was suggested by a bipartisian judiciary committee.

They want to eliminate assistance for American citizens:
Republicans Steve King (R-IA), Ernest Istook (R-OK), Candice Miller (R-MI), Ginny Browne-Waite (R-FL), and Spencer Bachus (R-AL) hope to see the language provisions that provide for bi-lingual ballots to be removed from the Act. Democracy thrives when citizens are knowledgeable and informed, when there is an obstacle free path to participating in government.

Language provisions make sure our citizens understand what they are voting for and Americans should not be penalized for needing that assistance to take part in democracy. This provision is aimed at our fellow Americans - despite common misconceptions - it has nothing to do with immigrants debate and is not aimed at non-U.S. citizens.

More than 70 percent of those seeking this assistance are citizens who were born in the US. They are not only Latino citizens, but Alaskan natives, Native Americans, and Asian Americans. The remaining 30 percent of those taking advantage of this provision are naturalized U.S. citizens.

They want to eliminate effectiveness:
Republican Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia wants to see the Attorney General expedite the Section 5 "bailout" process. Westmoreland would have the Attorney General annually determine whether each state and political subdivision subject to Section 5 preclearance requirements - all 900+ of them - has met the requirements for "bailout". This amendment would place the burden of seeking exemption on the Justice Department, instead of on the jurisdiction - crippling the Justice Department who would be overwhelmed investigating where discrimination doesn't exist instead of addressing voting discrimination and constitutional violations.

All of this is bad. All of this endangers millions of voters who have been enfranchised by the Voting Rights Act since it's initial passage.

Follow the House debate today on YouTube.

Check out Voting Rights expert Spencer Overton's blogging work over at MyDD where he is a guest poster this month.

Even more great info from CivilRights.org.

Comments (9) «

A handful of Southern states crying crocodile tears over why they are "unfairly" singled out.

The only unfair thing here is the modern-day Jim crow laws being passed by these red states.

If you don't want to be singled out, don't break the law!

1

DTree on July 13, 2006 at 02:21 PM

I don't think I can add a thing, DTree. Well said.

2

SandyH on July 13, 2006 at 03:20 PM

I agree with removing the language provision for bilinlual ballots. Number one, if they are to learn english why should they vote if they do not speak the language. Which leads me to WHY should an illegal immigrant be afforded they right to vote and to change my country when they are not even citizens.
We should pass an amendment that unless you are a citizen of that country, you cannot vote.

3

rcgold on July 13, 2006 at 03:32 PM

it's a sign of a desperate grab for power. they know people are fed up with republicans and now with the 50 state strategy they have a lot to fear for the first time in a generation.

seems like a transparent attempt at setting the groundwork to cheat in the upcoming elections.

4

DTree on July 13, 2006 at 03:35 PM

The fact that Republicans are tripping over each other to weaken something as fundamental as the Voting Rights Act combined with their multi-state effort to require photo IDs of registered voters, lead me to one conclusion. The GOP who are willing to expend so much blood and money to bring voting rights to the Iraqi people, are far less enthused about American citizens having the same rights.

5

royaldan on July 13, 2006 at 04:42 PM

Posted by rcgold on July 13, 2006 at 03:32 PM

Ok, so everyone who doesn't read & write English is an illegal immigrant? That is so wrong.

6

DTree on July 13, 2006 at 05:08 PM

We should pass an amendment that unless you are a citizen of that country, you cannot vote.

Posted by rcgold on July 13, 2006 at 03:32 PM

Where do you come up with this ignorant shit? If you believe anything you hear from Rush Limbaugh or anyone on Fox, that's your problem!

7

60srad on July 13, 2006 at 08:16 PM

We should pass an amendment that unless you are a citizen of that country, you cannot vote.

Posted by rcgold on July 13, 2006 at 03:32 PM

You'd be in deep doo-doo if we denied the right to vote to anyone who hasn't read the Constitution.

8

60srad on July 13, 2006 at 08:27 PM

rcgold,

Rather than call you the usual names like, troll, retard, racists, idiot, ect.I thought I would just remind you about some of my people.No, not the Black ones this time,but the Native American ones.I would like to remind you that they never "came" here from any other nation.They already "are" citizens of this country.Guess what? Many of them don't speak English .......because they don't want to speak English.They don't have to speak English.They should not be reguired to speak English.This is still their nation.It's been occupied for 230 years by thieves and liars who's percentage population while dropping fast,still happens to be "the majority" here.So,the next time you get all high and mighty talking about who here needs to speak English,think about that.

P.S. Before you go there,PLEASE,Do not insult my intellegence by lying and saying "Oh,but I'm part Native American too" because if you were,you would know not to make such comments like the ones you have made because you would know that you were talking about your own people.So,don't lie and tell me you're Native American.Come up with a real argument.

9

FreedomOfSpeechForProgressiveMajority on July 14, 2006 at 04:56 AM

« Hide Comments

Comments are now closed for this entry.