Supreme Court allows Republicans to challenge voters at Ohio polls

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Supreme Court gave the Republican Party the go-ahead to place thousands of representatives inside Ohio polling centers to challenge voters' eligibility.



Justice John Paul Stevens (news - web sites), acting on behalf of the whole court, declined to overturn a lower court's decision allowing the challenges, saying "while I have the power to grant the relief requested, I decline to do so for prudential reasons."


"The allegations of abuse made by the plaintiffs are undoubtedly serious -- the threat of voter intimidation is not new to our electoral system -- but on the record before me, it is impossible to determine with any certainty the ultimate validity of the plaintiffs' claims," Stevens wrote in his opinion, issued in his chambers on Tuesday.


He added that he has "faith that the elected officials and numerous election volunteers on the ground will carry out their responsibilities in a way that will enable qualified voters to cast their ballots.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1521&ncid=696&e=1&u=/afp/20041102/pl_afp/us_vote_ohio_challengers

[Nexus7]

1. Hey Johnny

Hey Johnny,

Your faith in "the elected officials and numerous election volunteers on the ground" was obviously misplaced last time, but you chose to make the same mistake again, didn't ya? Did you go on a hunting trip with Clarence or what?

[Catfight]

2. I wonder if that judge is on the ballot? n/t

[AtTheEndOfTheDay]

3. What's challenging mean?

Do these challengers have authority? If someone approached me while voting I'd say take a hike and get out of my way. What am I missing?

[never cry wolf]

8. I believe that Ohio law says

That a voter can be challenged as to the validity of their registration by someone who has a personal knowledge that they are not who they say they are, live at a different address, etc.

The repugs put together a list of some 30,000 voters from a database, all from inner city, minority, dems area and planned to have party operatives challenge those voters. Not just to not allow them to vote, but also to intimidate others as well as slow things down in general for more discouragement in those precincts.

The Dems argument was that these challengers did not have personal knowledge of the voters being challenged.

[Mel]

10. you got me

I would start singing 'We Shall Overcome' really really really loud! I have a hell of a set of lungs when I want to use them. :evilgrin:

I recommend this to the people of Ohio or in any State where a Republican wants to challenge their vote!

[LeftHander]

4. So the massive turnout will still win the day....

These mere 30,000 votes won't matter. Provisional ballots can still be cast. The GOP will ultimately be seen as intimidating the voters.

The GOP has the legal system tied up in it's foul game and planned effectivly to fend off any challenges from lower courts to stop it's illegal quest to screwup the election.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. It's great..if Repubs get their way then there will be nothing to

challenge the final results...let them try their intimidation tactics...then if Bush loses Ohio, they can't claim it was because they were denied their right to challenge.

[KC21304]

6. I thought when they refused to take a case they did so with no comment.

This is the most idiotic thing I have heard since they agreed to hear Bush V Gore. He doesn't see the irony of saying " it is impossible to determine with certainity the ultimate validity of the plaintiffs claims" ?

These challengers are the ones who are saying it is THEIR job to determine with certainity the ultimate validity of the voter registration of who ever the hell they feel like challenging.

Are you sure this isn't a satire ? It is too ironic for words.

[loudsue]

7. These right wing judges are going to get some people killed.....

If this happens when people have gotten off of work, are tired, and have to wait in long lines because of the GOP goon squads checking people's eligibility, there are going to be fights breaking out.

It is TOTALLY irresponsible that these right wing judges are ruling this way, not to mention the GOP goons who are trying to interfere in the election.

I'm soooooo sick of all of this! I just want this nightmare to end, and I want Kerry's atty. general to investigate all of these nasty tricks, and PROSECUTE the bastards.

:kick::kick:

[stameyjd]

9. DRUDGE REPORTS EARLY KERRY LEAD!

DRUDGE(ugh) IS REPORTING AN EARLY KERRY LEAD!

[Zorra]

11. The Supreme Court? Well, what a surprise! Didn't they select Bu$h in

2000, despite the fact that he indisputably lost the election? And Stevens trusts elected officials? Like maybe Jeb Bu$h, Tom DeLay, Orrin Hatch, Rick Santorum, and Ken Blackwell?

How did he get to be a judge, anyway? No one in their right mind would trust those corrupt weasels.

I'm gonna go shine up the ol' pitchfork and oil up the torch....just in case.

[edbermac]

12. Big deal...too little, too late....

[cubsfan forever]

14. Hear, Hear! n/t

Professor 2

[hughee99]

13. I know it's semantics, but...

is the Supreme Court ALLOWING this or did they just refuse to overturn a lower court's decision? I don't think this policy in Ohio is a great idea, but it's not like this is something new. Haven't they been doing this for years? For some reason, I can't remember this being an issue until now. I just don't recall the outrage from 2000 over this policy in Ohio. If it really was such an issue, why is it just making it to court now? Are we making a bigger deal of this then it is?