GOP demands IDs of 37,000 in city

[spotbird]

Citing a new list of more than 37,000 questionable addresses, the state Republican Party demanded Saturday that Milwaukee city officials require identification from all of those voters Tuesday.

If the city doesn't, the party says it is prepared to have volunteers challenge each individual - including thousands who might be missing an apartment number on their registration - at the polls.

The move, which dramatically escalates the party's claims of bad addresses and potential fraud, was condemned by Democrats as a last-minute effort to suppress turnout in the city by creating long delays at the polls.

*more*

http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/oct04/271173.asp

In some ways this may help Democratic turnout since it reinforces the reality that the Republicans want to jam up the process.

The city should review the list and deem them all eligible.

[trotsky]

1. The difference between the parties is once again illustrated.

Democrats want as many people as possible to vote, Republicans want as few people as possible to do so.

This pattern has been clear for many decades now - you'd THINK that more Republicans would wise up and not want to support a party that has disenfranchisement as its #1 activity in the days leading up to an election!

[greekspeak]

4. A comment on this statement:

"you'd THINK that more Republicans would wise up and not want to support a party that has disenfranchisement as its #1 activity..." Yes, a normal person might think this. But remember that the Puke base is made up of a lot of rich people, hatemongers, and fundevangelical Christians. MANY of these people think that those being disenfranchised don't deserve to live in this country, much less have a voice in America's political process. A lot of these people, if they could have it, would have a very white, straight, fundevangelical, wealthy electorate. I do not beleive I am exagerating here.

[WCGreen]

12. Here Here, couldn't agree more..... nt

nt

[Pithy Cherub]

25. Still wrapping the mind around the concept

of wise republican'ts yet you make a valid observation of what they would most avidly desire to have in that party. By nature of exclusivity they would have no numerical advantage which defys logical thinking or rational discussion or the necessay majority. That means the 'wise republicans' are voting with us for Kerry this time!

[prairie populist]

30. Bush&Co supporters

have convinced themselves, and other weak-willed souls, that the end justifies the means - win at all costs.

The fundies are telling themselves that God is on their side, thereby abandoning their core convictions in order to lie, cheat, steal. It is truly a sad state they have descended into.

[Neshanic]

32. That pretty much sums it up nicely.

[tanyev]

42. Oh, you are not exaggerating

Check out this LTTE in today's Dallas Morning News.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/103104dnedisundayletters.35d62.html

<snip>
I will not for a moment worry about my vote being counted. The word "disenfranchised" will not enter my thoughts. Most people using the word had never heard it four years ago.

Of course, we bring all this drama on ourselves. We goad people into registering like we invite them to register for supermarket giveaways. We guilt people who had no interest in voting into registering.

Then, we have all manner of places and ways to cast votes over a long period of time. I well remember when an absentee ballot required a very good reason. Otherwise, you went to the polls on Election Day.

It's pathetic and embarrassing that one of our most sacred liberties, the vote, has become a divisive and contentious ordeal.

[Amigust]

46. The media's dumbing down of America benefits the Radical Right.

[Sinnerman]

33. Straight Forward Common Sense

I have been a Democrat since I could Vote at 18. The Bottom line every election I voted I am always asked to show my drivers license and one year I moved 2 weeks before Bill Clinton was elected and all I had to show was my copy of my Renters Lease & I was able to cast my Ballot for Bill Clinton. I am against disenfranchising any voter to perform there civic duty but I'm sorry.

Everyone knew this was going to be a close election 18 months ago. Don't you think you should have had all information you needed at least 6 months ago, like knowing where your voting precinct is. and if there was a problem it would have come up when you voted in your states primary. The B*LL S*IT I see now where many Americans from both sides are scrambling to get registered literally 1 week before a presidential election and reports tens of thousands of voter registration cards are being return to election officals with addresses that don't exist, people don't actually live there. Classic cases of voter Fraud. And I don't want my fellow democrats getting disenfranchised because of fraud.

Go Kerry Edwards 48 hours til freedom

[trotsky]

35. This is not about blaming people for not registering earlier.

This is about the Republican party going out of their way to challenge every potential voter - and you'll note, this only occurs in strongly Democratic areas.

[Amigust]

47. And the result is to disrupt, slow down the voting process,

discourage Democrats standing in line so they might leave early, and overall, try to keep the Democrat vote tally smaller than it would be without the disruption.

I think we're going to hear about a lot of this after the election, to the extent the media don't squelch the story.

[saigon68]

50. kick

[barb162]

59. I am really hoping this doesn't happen especially if it is lousy

weather or raining. People will leave then.

[barb162]

58. people are going to have to ask for provisional ballots (if they

know to ask)

[barb162]

57. though I generally agree with your comments there also could

have been sloppy transcribing between what the registrants completed and what got typed on the voting cards for addresses. Especially with the huge numbers of people registering.

I don't understand this last minute rushing to register though...people have to be total idiots not to know this was going to be close

[Rex]

2. I hate Republicans!

nt

[reprobate]

6. Rex, that's the wrong attitude. You don't hate poisonous snakes,

but you avoid them like the plague and do everything you can to make sure there aren't any in your neighborhood.

[markus]

41. No, hate is appropriate

The GOP is not a nest of snakes. A nest of snakes would only attack me if I threatened.

They are dangerous human predators about on a moral level with pedophiles.

Yes, hate is an appropriate way to feel about the GOP.

Not about individual voters, mind you, who are simply being motivated by greed and fear, two powerful motivation tools.

No, its the people in the party, the people who draw checks from the RNC, the people who work for Tom Delay or those like him in Congress.

I hate those people, and nothing they can do will change that.

[napi21]

3. What kind of ID are they demanding?

I have to show a Current DL, or state issued picture ID when I vote, and I have no problem with it. Are the Pubs demanding more than that?

[Longhorn]

5. In Texas, we don't have to show an ID unless we don't have our

registration cards to show.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

9. True, yet in 2000 I had to show mine.

I didn't worry about it since I had it on hand. I have no idea what that was about.

[Wickerman]

7. I don't have a source, but its said many urban folks don't have an ID

They don't need them. They don't have bank accounts, they don't drive, etc. There is a whole slew, too, of legal principles of whether its legitimate to require an ID when one has not been required in the past. Many states have not correctly est. what is a proper ID. In the primaries here in MN many Native Americans were disenfranchised because their tribal IDs were deemed invalid for the first time ever. A recent decision has reversed that.

There is a wealth of discussion on this issue, but a quick look says the ACLU has said in Tennessee case, "'It raises concerns whenever individuals are being disenfranchised for no reason,'' Weinberg said. ''We need to ensure we don't have fraudulent voting. That's a legitimate concern. But we also need to make sure the government is not creating obstacles.''
http://www.tennessean.com/elections/2004/archives/04/09/59051896.shtml

[napi21]

I don't know what the laws are in different states, but here in Ga.

there are 14 different types of ID that are acceptable:

(snip)
Do I have to show identification at the poll?
You will be required to present identification at your polling place prior to receiving your ballot. There are 14 acceptable types of ID including drivers license, government ID, passport, employee ID, student ID, hunting or fishing license, military ID, certified birth certificate, certified naturalization document, and court certified copies of adoption, name change, etc. If you are unable to produce any of these, you will be provided with an oath to complete in place of identification and you will then be allowed to vote.
(/snip)
http://www.cherokeega.com/ccweb/about/voter_info.cfm

I would think everybody should have at least one of them.

[Wickerman]

31. True, you chould have one of many types, BUT, the issue at hand

appears to be that some states are requiring picture ID while other states are denying what a reasonable person might deem acceptable (evidence the tribal ID issue in MN, the need for a photo ID in other states).

The whole thing speaks to disenfranchisment when groups (typically RW) try to tighten rules right at election time. RWers are scared to death that first time turn out will be extremely high. That high turnout spells doom for Bush*. I am all in favor of insuring a non-fraudulent election, however I am also against am sort of last minute "Jim Crwoing" of ID requirements to turn away or artificially constrain first time voters from going to the polls.

[LiberalFighter]

28. It doesn't matter that you have to show your current DL...

in Wisconsin ID is NOT required unless you registered to vote for the first time. If you register to vote on Election Day you have to provide the proper current identification that proves where you live.

Here in Indiana ID is NOT required unless identification wasn't included when registering the first time and it was sent by mail. Then election boards are suppose to tag those voters so that the poll workers ask for the proper identification from them.

[Piltdown13]

51. Yep...but I still told everyone who I registered to vote...

to bring multiple forms of ID just in case. Oddly, the ID requirement for newly registered voters doesn't apply for ANY hand-delivered registration form, even if a third party does the delivering. (I handled/helped with a couple of registration drives, and was amazed when the Voter Reg office told me that the folks I registered wouldn't have to produce ID if I hand-delivered the forms, but would if they mailed them individually.) Still, better safe than sorry, so I encouraged everyone to bring ID to the polls just in case...turns out it's good that I did, because in my county the GOP (despite earlier claims to the contrary) is going to send challengers to some polling places.

[LiberalFighter]

52. Yes the mailing vs hand delivered is odd

When I first came to Indiana only those sworn in as Deputy Registrars could register voters besides Voter Registration. And it was required for voters to swear/affirm that the info was true to the Deputy Registrar.

[drdtroit]

8. And just what right do these people have

to demand ID?

Who is going to challenge the volunteers validity?

These repukes are like adolescent snots!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

10. Turnabout is fair play...Dems should demand to see the same from...

...37,000 Milwaukee city Republicans.

[WCGreen]

17. Muck up the process in a really wealthy area

by challenging anyone walking i a hurry to go and vote....

How many of these gotta go right now types would stand for being asked to prove who they are...

Could you here the whinning....

Do you know who I am?
Why no sir, that is why we are asking you to prove it.

I have a Job. I can't wait for this....
I know sir. We all have a jod to do and I'm just doing mine....

Whose in charge here...
Why the American people, sir......

[teryang]

11. What if you are one of the tens of thousands whose ID

...has been confiscated by the police because your license was suspended when you didn't pay that speeding ticket or when you changed car insurance companies?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

15. Do you have another form of photo id?

from work or school? If not, I'd go to your DMV and see if you can get a photo id-they make them for people who can't drive.

[teryang]

18. Good advice!

I wasn't thinking of myself but the hundreds of people who lose their licenses every month in my county.

[Nancy Waterman]

16. Bring a tax return or a utility bill if you don't have a driver's license

Be sure to have something with you to get past these snakes.

[rocktivity]

13. If your driver's license doesn't have an apartment number

bring along a couple of bills. THEY'LL have your apartment number!

:headbang:
rocknation

[Whoa_Nelly]

21. Thought the law was

that if you don't have your ID, you sign an affidavit that you are a registered voter in that district.

The GOP contnues its March to Fascism. All citizens must have government approved identification or be shot on sight! Heil, Bush! </sarcasm>

[AnnInLa]

39. Yes you are correct....the FEDERAL election law says

that you do not have to have an ID to vote. You are usually asked for one because it makes it easier for the poll workers to identify you. If you don't have a pic ID, then your voter card will do, if you don't have either, you sign an affidavit. For first time voters, however, the rules may differ from state to state.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

14. I tell everyone

to take photo id along with them when they vote. Even though I live in a very small county population-wise, I took my photo id along with me when I voted early. If someone lives in a metropolitan area, I'd suggest they download the voter packet from MoveOn that gives tips on what to do if their right to vote is challenged.

[sattahipdeep]

19. "outrageous."

City Attorney Grant Langley labeled the GOP request "outrageous."
"We have already uncovered hundreds and hundreds and hundreds
of addresses on their original list that do exist," said Langley, who
holds a non-partisan office. "Why should I take their word for the fact
this new list is good? http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/oct04/271173.asp

[orpupilofnature57]

20. This is smug desperation, how can anyone with common sense

not see the fascism at work.How many times today will we lulled by the same hack need point and we wont see this story twice all day on main media.

[The Zanti Regent]

22. If they had challenged me...

...I would have been tempted to use the pepper spray in my pocket!

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

23. They realize that the Dems, and Michael Moore, and the world, will not

stand for their thuggery in Ohio which will be scrutinized by the WHOLE WORLD.

Hence they are trying a last minute effort to switch some of their vote suppression to other states.

[sattahipdeep]

24. Time to load the guns yet? n/t

[oldlady]

26. disenfranchisement through delays

the long, long lines this will cause will have an impact. My daughter is a student at UW-Milwaukee. She has class from 7-10, works from 10-4 and has a class from 4-7. She'll miss a class to vote because she is uber-pissed at this administration, but I think a lot of her fellow students, with similar schedules, will be disuaded by long lines. The same holds true for working persons with day care concerns, kids coming home from school, etc.

Wisconsin law requires up to 3 hours off work to vote (provided you give advance notice)-- but with travel time, even this may not be enough.

Shitty tactic.

[wysiwyg]

27. Don't polls have to stay open for everyone in line now?

Isn't it now a Federal rule that polls have to stay open until everyone in line at closing time gets to vote?

I remember in 2000 Republicans in St. Louis sued to close the polls to keep people in line from voting. Of course they didn't have enough voting machines in many precincts.

[MichiganVote]

29. Yes, it is the law. Polls must stay open for those in line.

[henslee]

34. Hope the weather is fair on Tues. And that folks bring snacks and chairs

to polling place. Make it like a block party.

[ahem]

55. Thanks for the suggestion...

I've already gathered voter's rights materials and rain ponchos (cheapie, disposable ones) but I hadn't thought of snacks, and maybe bottled water. Anything to encourage people to stay in line when they otherwise might leave.

[StatBabe]

36. Jim Crow, etc.

Why is anyone surprised by the voter suppression tactics of the GOP??? After all, this is the same party that trumpeted "states' rights" during the civil rights movement--the same party that defended Jim Crow laws to disenfranchise millions of blacks! NOTHING has really changed in the way these people think! As I have said for years, not all Republicans are racist bigots, but ALL racist bigots are Republican! (BTW, one notable "exception" to this rule was Zell Miller, and we see where his loyalties lie now!)

My question is why, oh why, would anyone of color support the GOP? If one is to believe the polls and the pundits, Bush has more support from blacks and Hispanics than he had in 2000. I honestly do not understand this because a person of color has to either be an "oreo" (like Clarence Thomas, Walter Williams, Alan Keyes, etc.) or has to be a case of complete self-loathing to support most Republicans!

[saigon68]

43. This is racist and centered on the North side

I hope some boyz in the hood bust their sorry pale white asses real good. We need to alert the neighbors that Whitey is out to prevent them from voting.

WTMJ Right Wing Hate Radio is sponsoring this disenfranchise a (negro) movement.

[Nordic]

37. there will be some serious fistfights if this happens

I wouldn't let any goddamn GOPer get in the way of my right to vote.

I would fucking break his face.

[wysiwyg]

38. Justice Dept won't act until after the election, if at all.

The Republicans don't want anyone but the Justice Department to be able to sue to enforce voting rights because Liberals might have the nerve to sue BEFORE the election. If it won't cost them anything now right-wingers will disenfranchise a thousand voters to block a dozen people who aren't properly registered and say it was an honest mistake. Maybe the Justice Department says they were wrong and clarifies the rule for the next election; maybe not.

Of course if there were real penalties for intentionally denying voting rights Ashcroft would make sure they only applied to Democrats like the congressional investigations during the Clinton administration did.

[flagrantoffender]

40. more crap from them

Not a suprise, more of the same from the grop

[idiosyncratic]

44. Missing an apartment number . . . Sheesh!!

I have a very long address with a number at the end. It almost NEVER fits onto computer forms. Heck, I have a hard time getting it to fit on any form even if I write really small.

Although I am registered, and I've already voted, what happens in other cases like that?

[BiggJawn]

56. And how is that significant, anyway?

If I live at 123 Easy Street, Does it really matter if I put down Apt. 666 or not? The whole complex is in the same precinct.

The ReTHUGs are SCARED, friends, SCARED!!!
Read an AP story wher they're running the tired old "ReTHUGs vote on 11-2, Dems vote on 11-3" scam again.

[symphony]

45. what wouldn't they do in the pains of despair ?

Kerry is winning and they are desperate. We should call them the party of dirty tricks!

I bet while they challenge legit voters, they are preparing many repugs to cheat during elections. Oh, the wonderful, honest, and value-oriented republican party... not! :eyes:

[Puglover]

48. I will politely ask any challenger for their ID

and ask by what authority they are challenging me. If they are not not a city, county or state official I will politely tell them to fuck off. After that they will be going to the hospital with a face full of pepper spray.

[Malebolgia]

49. They're going to do anything to keep voters...

from voting on Tuesday.

This is pathetic. :grr: They know they're gonna lose.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

53. When I went to a MoveOn meeting, they told us to expect challengers

in heavily Dem areas (like mine?).

[burrowowl]

54. Given the new voter act

IT IS ILLEGAL FOR ANYONE TO REQUIRE ID!
ONLY THE POLLING CLERK MAY ASK FOR ID IF MARKED IN THE ROSTER FOR FIRST TIMERS WHO DID NOT REGISTER IN PERSON OR DID NOT PROVIDE REQUIRED ID WHEN THEY REGISTERED!
THIS IS FEDERAL LAW! THE REPUKES CAN BE CHARGED WITH A FEDERAL OFFENSE IF THEY CHALLENGE!
MAY THEY ALL GO TO PRISON!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

60. kick for reseachers who want to dig up evidence against the GOP