Democrats Defeat Harmful Voter ID Amendment

[MaineDem]

(DNC Release)

Republicans Continue to Play Politics With Right to Vote

Washington, DC - Yesterday, Democrats united to defeat a harmful
Republican amendment that would have imposed a highly restrictive voter
ID law. The amendment to the Senate immigration reform bill would have
created a modern day poll tax which could disenfranchise millions of
Americans, specifically seniors, minorities, youth, urban and rural
voters and persons with disabilities. All of these groups are less
likely to have government issued photo ID's and would be forced to bear
an unnecessary burden just to exercise their fundamental right to vote.

The defeat of this amendment comes on the heels of recent revelations
that the Bush Administration attempted to pressure U.S. Attorneys to
pursue politically motivated cases of voter fraud, despite evidence
showing no proof of widespread voter fraud. As part of their consistent
pattern of putting partisan interests ahead of the people's business,
the Bush Administration and the Republican National Committee have led a
coordinated campaign to undermine voting rights over the past five
years.

"The American people were the real winners last night when Democrats
stood up and defeated Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's
harmful amendment," said Democratic National Committee Voting Rights
Institute Chair Donna Brazile. "The Republican Party continues to play
politics with the most fundamental right in our Democracy, the right to
vote. The American people went to the polls and spoke loud and clear
about their desire for change in November. Just because Republicans
dislike what Americans are saying doesn't mean they can block voters'
access to the ballot box. Democrats believe that democracy works best
when all legally eligible voters can exercise their right to vote. And
we believe that we should be working to make it easier and not harder
for Americans to vote and have their vote counted."

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[Larkspur]

1. Finally, the Dems unite on something important!!

Now, if they can only do the same on Iraq.

[Phredicles]

2. Hey, it's a start.

:thumbsup:

[stimbox]

3. Good on them!

:thumbsup: