Schneiderman pushes voter challenge oath requirement

[hrmjustin]

by Rick Karlin

Here’s proposed legislation that sounds a bit technical but it could be important, especially in some close races or contested primaries: Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is putting forth a bill, carried by NYC Democratic Assemblyman Karim Camara, that would make people challenging someone’s right to vote attest that they have the right to do so.

In an age when minority groups warn about the rise of laws challenging easy access to the polls, you will not be surprised to hear that this bill is being proposed on the eve of the Albany meeting of the black and Latino caucus.

http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/206272/schneiderman-pushes-voter-challenge-oath-requirement/

[nykym]

1. There also must be

stricter qualifications and vetting done to outside groups or in state groups affiliated with know voter suppression tactics and efforts.

[hrmjustin]

2. Agreed! I think this needs to be done in the swing states especially. Actually all states.

[dragonlady]

3. Wisconsin has this requirement

The challenger must be an elector (eligible voter) in Wisconsin. The challenger is put under oath and questioned by the chief inspector (person in charge at the polling place) and must give reasonable support for the allegation that the voter is not eligible to vote.

In practice, this almost never occurs because the Republican poll watchers (almost always sent to inner-city areas) are not from anywhere near the ward in question and cannot give any reasons from their own knowledge. In many years of observing at the polls I have never seen an actual challenge take place.