Anti-Democratic Backlash: Surge in Voter Registration Sparks New Wave of Voter Suppression

[babylonsister]

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/82083/#more

Anti-Democratic Backlash: Surge in Voter Registration Sparks New Wave of Voter Suppression

Posted by Project Vote, MyDD.com at 7:46 AM on April 11, 2008.


Voter registration applications continue to pour into elections offices across the country at record breaking rates, contributing to unprecedented turnout over the course of the presidential primary season so far. The closely contested primaries, especially on the Democratic side, are one factor behind the surge. Another includes a spark of political interest in young people. Whatever factors are involved, the bottom line is that more Americans are engaging in the electoral process. This reality of exploding participation in American democracy should be closely considered by lawmakers when evaluating legislation that could expand or restrict access to the polls this November.

"This year's presidential battle has brought a record number of voters to the polls. So far, primaries in 23 states and the District of Columbia have broken turnout records for at least one party," Martha T. Moore of USA Today reported this week. Primary turnout this year "is on pace to eclipse the record set in 1972, when nearly 26% of eligible citizens cast ballots," Curtis Gans, director of Center for the Study on the American Electorate at American University, told Moore.

snip//

However, despite the continuing reality of underrepresentation and the sustained high levels of interest in participating in the civic process, dozens of of harmful election-related bills are pending in state legislatures around the country. These include proof of citizenship proposals, voter registration drive restrictions, voter ID requirements and voter caging practices. Often driven by false claims of protecting the integrity of the electorate, these bills are expressly designed to perpetuate the existing imbalance in the American electorate. Super Tuesday exit polls showed a rise in minority and youth turnout. Increasing voter registration is a sign of increased civic engagement and adds to the strength of civil society.

The danger is that in face of the increased interest in taking part in the civic life of the nation, or in fact because of it, laws passed on the state level will curtail and suppress the ability of underrepresented groups to exercise the foundational right of American democracy: the right to vote.

Project Vote tracks all kinds of election and voting rights-related legislation in 21 states through our ElectionLegislation.org program (registration required). Designed for advocates and activists, is it a useful tool for anyone interested in taking action to strengthen democracy in the United States.

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[Kurovski]

1. K&R.

The Money Party sure keeps up with the trends.

They Know that true Democracy is their enemy.

[formercia]

2. The powers that be don't want change in the status quo.

The last thing the boys want is honest election with everyone having the right to vote who legally can and having every vote counted fairly.

The Revolution has begun. The first wave is with the ballot.

As the cops say: We can do this the easy way, or we can do it the hard way. The choice is up to you.