Most of you are probably aware that, in states where Republicans control state government, they are rolling out almost identical Voter ID laws, financed by the Koch Brothers and other corporate criminals. Their intent is to make it harder for people who are most likely to vote for Democrats to vote. But Republicans have now hit a new in voter suppression: trying to enforce voter ID laws in a place that does not even have voter ID laws.
Failed Massachusetts GOP candidate and anti-vote operative Tom Weaver recently set up a camera at a polling station in New Bedford, Massachusetts in hopes of catching a plethora of poll violations. He caught nothing, except himself and his colleague Ralph Zazula sitting behind the desk at the polling place with a sign, “Show I.D. To Vote.” On the sign, Weaver had “Rules”: including, “be polite,” “have valid government issued ID,” and “voluntary compliance.” Telling Elections Commission Chairman Maria Tomasia that they had permission to be there (they didn’t), Weaver proceeded to tape himself suppressing the vote.
Though the “rules” said “voluntary compliance,” New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang (D) said Weaver’s act was tantamount to “voter suppression” and he demanded an investigation. The Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin took a look, and informed Tomasia the sign was indeed “illegal”… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Think Progress>
Rachel Maddow also covered this story.
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I have to wonder how many voters saw these cretins and their sign, realized that they did not have a voter ID with them, and went home. How many votes did the Republican Party steal at that election? Weaver and Zazula should be criminally charged. Remember, when Republicans claim fraud, the only election fraud that can be demonstrated is Republicans defrauding voters.
18 Responses to “A New Low in Republican Voter Suppression”
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assholes! In the Wisconsin Recall elections I was asked for a photo ID…. even though the ‘new’ rules were not yet in place. I declined…. and stated why… I was allowed to vote. Assholes!
Good for you Jim!! Bravo!!
Yes indeed- never underestimate Scum—
Too true, Phyllis!
“Remember, when Republicans claim fraud, the only election fraud that can be demonstrated is Republicans defrauding voters.”
You’ve got that right. And yes, they should be charged and prosecuted. But there is some hope out there:
http://www.angryblacklady.com/2011/10/22/alabama-gop-acted-with-racist-intent-voter-suppression/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=alabama-gop-acted-with-racist-intent-voter-suppression
Both these dirtbags need to get some serious jail time….I hope they do. Introduce them to Bubba, that’ll wipe those shitty smirks off their faces in a hurry. 🙂 I loathe RepubliFascists.
Terry, I don’t know what the law governing such a situation is, but I’s love to see them get time. perhaps they might get into a good cognitive restructuring group.
Here is an entirely too typical example of media bias in reporting. Democracy is dependent upon an informed electoate; the media is letting us all down with reports like the one above. Election fraud has become so rampant, where is the story on that? If Democrats have a different, better idea where is the report on that? Choose not to participate in the polarization. We are not required to think alike; it is okay to have a different opinion. It is better yet to think for oneself and not to blindly accept what is reported.
Barbara, the Rachel Maddow story IS about election fraud. T Weaver, who would or ought to know that ID is not required in Massachusetts in order to vote, has set himself up at a table in a polling place with his sign “Show ID to Vote” in a deliberate attempt to confuse voters and turn away voters who might not have valid ID because they didn’t know it was required, which of course it wasn’t. THAT IS ELECTION FRAUD! The fact that he is a Republican only adds fuel to show that there are election irregularities sponsored by the Republicans. And there are more.
Now, if by “Election fraud has become so rampant . . . ” you mean that voter fraud has become rampant (example of voter fraud might be someone trying to vote under someone else’s name or trying to vote twice), then have a look at the DOJ report that concludes exactly the opposite.
Welcome Barbara. 🙂
As Lynn has already stated, DOJ under Bush could find no evidence of the voter fraud you falsely call rampant. Of course people do not have to think alike, and everyone may have their own opinions. But nobody has a right to make up their own facts. We all should stick to the true ones.
I’m late to this, but as Stephen Colbert reported: “A jaw dropping 44 one-millionths of one percent” of votes are cast by people who commit voter fraud. “Our democracy is under siege by an enemy so small it could be hiding anywhere.” (I’d include the link to Colbert’s video – but that would put me at three links, which apparently generates some super-duper, spamming-scamming problems for TomCat)
Two solid sources debunking the MYTH of voter fraud: [1] From the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU’s School of Law (and you can actually download the PDF report); and [2] From Cornell University:
[1] http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/truthaboutvoterfraud/ and [2] http://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/?GCOI=80140100774960
44 millionths of a percent? OMG!! 😯 I had no idea it was so bad!! 😉
If you use more than 2, it just goes to comment jail until I parole it. 😈
Another in a long series of repubican malfeasances that highlight two critical issues for us next year: [1] GOTV (Get Out the Vote) and [2] Monitor Attempts at Voter Suppression.
Because with the likes of the two in this article, Andrew Breitbart, James “Pimp” O’Keefe (even though O’Keefe will still be on probation for his guilty plea, I don’t trust him) and numerous GOP operatives a$$holes out there – we got our work cut out for us!
Yes we do, Nameless. UGH! It’s a good thing i don’t have a full stomach, or I wouldn’t any more.
Dear Barbara…// Election fraud has become so rampant, where is the story on that? //
….. because it is virtually non=existent. Please cite and source where you got this information. It is totally false/
Jim, I agree. If I may suggest, here if you want to reply to someone’s comment, click the reply link right under that comment. Our software will indent your comment under the one to which you are replying.
I agree with Nameless. There are “. . . two critical issues for us next year: [1] GOTV (Get Out the Vote) and [2] Monitor Attempts at Voter Suppression. ”
GOTV — Because there are so many different voting regulations as it is a state responsibility, I would suggest
In Canada, it is not unusual for the political parties to offer to get non drivers to the polls. It is nobody’s business but the voter as to which party he/she will vote for and I tell people not to say anything to anybody. If a political support person is going to give you a ride, that’s great but you don’t owe them anything about your vote. I even get calls like: What party are you going to vote for? and I respond that my vote is private. The call I like is the one that asks: Can we count on your vote? to which I respond: You can count on me to vote.
Monitor Attempts at Voter Suppression — As someone who has worked at Internal Auditing in banking and mortgage fraud investigations, my first word for you is ‘document, document, document! Keep track of names, dates, circumstances etc and if you can, get pictures. Look for witnesses if you can and make sure you have name and contact info. Never, however, put yourself in harm’s way.
In my opinion, humble or not, any attempt at voter suppression or intentional confusion of voters is an act of election fraud and needs to be dealt with properly, hence the document! document! document! For years, the US has been hailed as the bastion of the free vote and a paragon of voter rights such that teams from the US are asked to participate in the observation of voting in other countries trying to establish free and democratic elections. With what I have see at Care 2 and Politics Plus regarding election fraud, voter suppression, and questionable voting proceedures, there are 2 things that have to happen:
I am not an American so I can’t vote, but I am interested in what happens. To me, this is part and parcel with the economic and social inequalities that OWS is bringing to the fore.
Lynn I agree, but some of your suggestions would require a Constitutional Amendment.