Monthly Archives: May 2011

Last week’s relatively problem-free Pennsylvania primary was the latest to demonstrate that requiring photo identification at the polls is a solution in search of a problem. People simply don’t risk prison time to impersonate other voters. In 2008, more than six million Pennsylvanians went to the polls for the presidential election, and only four were charged with misrepresentation.

So why did the House State Government Committee recently approve a bill to require photo ID of Pennsylvania voters, a program that would cost more than $11 million to initiate and millions more to run each year?

The county clerks responsible for administering the state’s elections say the legislation is a bad idea.

Editorials: Kris W. Kobach: The Case for Voter ID | Wall Street Journal

On Thursday, the Wisconsin legislature sent a bill requiring photographic identification for voting to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk. This follows the enactment of an even stricter law in Kansas a few weeks ago.

Drafted by my office, Kansas’s Secure and Fair Elections Act combined three elements: (1) a requirement that voters present photo IDs when they vote in person; (2) a requirement that absentee voters present a full driver’s license number and have their signatures verified; and (3) a proof of citizenship requirement for all newly registered voters. Although a few states, including Georgia, Indiana and Arizona, have enacted one or two of these reforms, Kansas is the only state to enact all three.

Nevada: Supreme Court will expedite appeal of ruling on Nevada special election | ReviewJournal.com

The Nevada Supreme Court will quickly hear Secretary of State Ross Miller’s planned appeal of a judge’s decision to let political parties pick U.S. House nominees for a Sept. 13 special election, a court spokesman said Friday.

As expected, Miller on Friday asked the attorney general to file the appeal. He also postponed the candidate filing period, which had been scheduled for Monday through Wednesday in Carson City.

Editorials: Steve Sebelius: A bad ruling on Nevada special House election | ReviewJournal.com

Simply put, Carson City District Judge James Todd Russell is flat wrong about the special election for the 2nd Congressional District. Which is why it’s a good thing that Secretary of State Ross Miller announced late Friday he would appeal this wrongheaded ruling to the state Supreme Court.

In the meantime, candidate filings schedule for next week will be postponed while the appeal is prepared.

Some background: After Rep. Dean Heller was appointed to John Ensign’s Senate seat, a special election was called to replace Heller in the House of Representatives. Miller issued regulations for that special election — a first in Nevada history — based on a 2003 statute that appears to allow a wide-open, anybody-can-run, no-primary, winner-takes-all election. The Nevada Republican Party sued, claiming political parties should nominate candidates for the special election.

The Voting News Daily: States Toughen ID Rules for Voters, Gingrich Calls For Young Americans To Pass Test Before They Can Vote

National: States Toughen ID Rules for Voters | Wall Street Journal

The Voting News for 05/22/2011

More states will require voters to show photo identification at the polls next year, as part of a wave of laws that will increase scrutiny of voters in next year’s elections.

Stricter voter-ID measures are moving forward in at least half a dozen states after Republicans gained control of many statehouses and governors’ mansions in November. The push is part of a long-running debate between those who argue U.S. voting… Read More

National: Gingrich Calls For Young Americans To Pass Test Before They Can Vote | Hispanically Speaking News

Last week, former GOP House Speaker and current presidential candidate Newt Gingrich suggested that American citizens should have to pass a test in American history before they could earn the right to vote. Despite rampant criticism from both sides of the aisle, Gingrich reiterated his support for poll tests yesterday at a town hall meeting in Marshalltown, IA.

Speaking in front of a crowd made up largely of senior citizens,… Read More

National: States Toughen ID Rules for Voters | Wall Street Journal

More states will require voters to show photo identification at the polls next year, as part of a wave of laws that will increase scrutiny of voters in next year’s elections.

National: Gingrich Calls For Young Americans To Pass Test Before They Can Vote | Hispanically Speaking News

Speaking in front of a crowd made up largely of senior citizens, Gingrich reiterated his argument that since immigrants need to pass a test to become American citizens, “young Americans” should be forced to do the same “before they start voting.” A majority of the crowd seemed to approve, giving Gingrich resounding applause.

Maryland: Takoma Park Maryland Voters Will Be Able to Cast Ballots Online for 2011 City Election | Takoma Park MD Patch

Takoma Park voters will have the option of casting their ballots over the Internet for the November 2011 election, and a test of the system is going to be conducted June 9 at the Takoma Park Community Center.

Poorvi Vora, an associate professor at George Washington University made a presentation of the online voting system to Takoma Park’s Board of Elections (BOE) at the board’s meeting May 18.

Wisconsin: Tale of the Tapes: Wisconsin’s ‘Dog-and-Pony Show’ Faith-Based Supreme Court Election ‘Recount’ | The Brad Blog

For weeks, we’ve been reporting on the mess seen in the statewide “recount” of Wisconsin’s very close and very contentious April 5th Supreme Court election between Republican incumbent Justice David Prosser and his challenger, Asst. Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg.

As The BRAD BLOG obtained evidence of new irregularities this week — to add to previously reported revelations of, among other irregularities, ballot bags discovered “wide open” with mismatched or missing serial numbers as well as ballots discovered completely unsecured, all in violation of the secure chain of custody, and other similar messes and mistallies across the state — we wanted to find out if the state’s chief election agency, the Government Accountability Board (G.A.B.), was able to confirm that the ballots counted during the “recount” were actually the ones cast on Election Day. And, if so, how they could confirm that.

Editorials: Jim Buchanan: Raleigh does voters no favors trying to curb early voting | The Asheville Citizen-Times

It’s been a busy couple of weeks on the election front — specifically, the voting front — down in Raleigh and at other points on the compass.

The NC House, in a 60-58 vote, OK’d a bill to shorten the early voting period in the state. Bad, no good, horrible call, in my view. It’s pitched as a cost-saving move, but it just looks like a formula for creating bottlenecks, aggravation and frustrated voters. A similar measure in the NC Senate goes further, ending Sunday voting and registration of new voters at the polls.

North Carolina: Election Bills give 2012 edge to GOP in North Carolina | NewsObserver.com

North Carolina had the closest governor’s race in the country in 2008, and only Missouri had a closer presidential contest. Both went the Democrats’ way, in large part because of the unprecedented effort in the state by the campaign of presidential candidate Barack Obama. The Obama campaign had a paid staff of 400 with 47 storefront offices.

The effort included a major push to sign up voters early and get them to the polls – particularly African-Americans and college students of all colors. But the Republican legislature is intent on throwing a wrench into the Democratic machine to make sure there is no repeat next year.

Editorials: Opinion: Pennsylvania Voter ID proposal a waste of time | Centre Daily Times

Boss Tweed likely would have had a good chuckle over proposals in Pennsylvania to require every person casting an election ballot to present photo identification. The legendary New York City political boss knew a thing or two about fraud and political smokescreens: two things at play in regard to the legislation being considered in the state House.

Reducing voter fraud at the ballot box is supposedly the main concept behind this idea. If every voter has to produce a photo issued by the state of Pennsylvania or the federal government — don’t you just feel better already — there will be no doubt the voter is who he or she says they are.

Nevada: Strong early voter turnout in Las Vegas attributed to mayor race – KTNV ABC,Channel 13

Early voting kicked off Saturday for city elections, and turnout appears to be strong. The big draw, of course, is the Las Vegas mayor’s race, which is pitting two women against each other for the city’s top job.

It represents a turning point for Las Vegas, ending Oscar Goodman’s twelve year reign as mayor.Voter turnout is the key for candidates, Carolyn Goodman and Chris Giunchigliani, who are wrangling their way to the finish line.

Ohio: Election reform bill heads to Ohio Senate after House debate | Fallsnewspress.com

Legislation that would shorten the state’s early voting period and change requirements for casting provisional ballots passed the Ohio House May 18 following more than two hours of contentious debate. The final vote on House Bill 194 was a party-line 53-39, with Democrats opposing. The legislation next heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

Rep. Robert Mecklenborg, R-Cincinnati, said the law changes are needed to establish consistent rules and procedures for voters statewide. “This is a serious piece of legislation,” he said. “It has a lot of complex issues, and we have endeavored from the very beginning to balance access, accuracy and equal protection throughout the entire state of Ohio.

Editorials: Kurt Browning: Combating fraud while preserving access to the polls | Palm Beach Post

One of my most important responsibilities as your secretary of state is preserving the integrity of the voting process in Florida while increasing access to the ballot box. The right to vote is one of the most obvious symbols of our nation’s freedom. Americans must have confidence in the electoral process we use to choose our local, state and national leaders.

Legislators also take this responsibility seriously, and sent an important reform bill to Gov. Scott, who signed it Thursday afternoon. The bill makes early voting more accessible, by expanding the number of hours that election supervisors can open early voting sites from just eight hours per day to 12.

Wisconsin: College students could be affected by Wisconsin Voter ID Bill | weau.com

A few college students we talked to at UW-Eau Claire say they haven’t heard much about the Voter ID Bill, but they say at face value, it sounds like a good idea.

“I think it’s probably a good thing, to at least show that you are who you say you are instead of having someone representing you or falsifying you and stealing your vote,” says new UW-Eau Claire transfer student Eric Wisz.

The bill would require each voter to show a valid photo ID with their current address on it. “That I don’t actually have,” says Wisz. “I think it could make it difficult, especially for college students and those who move a lot.”

Minnesota: Minnesota House sends Voter ID bill to Governor | StarTribune.com

The Minnesota House gave final approval to a bill requiring voters to show photo IDs at the polls Saturday afternoon, sending it to Gov. Mark Dayton’s desk. The bill passed 74-58 on a largely party line vote over the objections of DFL lawmakers, who said the bill will hinder some groups from voting. The vote was originally slated for Friday, but it was delayed amid transparency complaints.

In addition to requiring photo identification, the bill eliminates vouching for Election Day registration and creates an entirely new system of provisional balloting. After a slight dustup on Friday, Sponsor Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer said Saturday she was informed the conference committee was held within the rules.

South Carolina: Governor Nikki Haley signs South Carolina Voter ID bill into law | TheState.com

With music pumping, Gov. Nikki Haley signed into law Wednesday a bill requiring S.C. voters to show a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, to cast a ballot. Currently, voters only must show a voter registration card, which does not have a photo.

“If you can show a picture to buy Sudafed, if you can show a picture to get on an airplane, you should be able to show a picture ID to (vote),” Haley said during the signing ceremony, surrounded by supporters and lawmakers who pushed the bill. Joe Dugan, chairman of the Myrtle Beach Tea Party, made the drive to see the signing and celebrate. “If we don’t have integrity at the ballot box, we don’t have it anywhere.”

Florida: Miami Mayoral Candidates sprint on last day of early voting | MiamiHerald.com

Perfect beach weather may have kept crowds from the polls Saturday — but not so political candidates, who made their final pitches to voters across Miami-Dade County before Tuesday’s special election.

…With early voting canceled Sunday, the contenders for Miami-Dade mayor, two county commission posts and a Florida House seat on Saturday tried to fit in back-to-back phone calls to supporters, campaign rallies and visits early voting sites to create momentum for Tuesday.

The elections department doubled voting hours on Saturday after canceling Sunday early voting to comply with a new state law.

Florida: Judge: No early voting Sunday in Miami-Dade election | MiamiHerald.com

A Miami-Dade judge on Friday backed the county elections department’s decision to cancel a day of early voting for Tuesday’s special election. Circuit Judge Barbara Areces dismissed a lawsuit filed by county mayoral candidate Marcelo Llorente, who argued the elections department acted unconstitutionally when it did away with early voting scheduled for Sunday.

Lester Sola, the Miami-Dade supervisor of elections, changed the schedule earlier this week to comply with a new elections law Gov. Rick Scott signed on Thursday. The law requires early voting to end three days before Election Day.

Kentucky: Recanvass scheduled in Kentucky GOP Secretary of State race | Kentucky.com

A recanvass of votes cast in Tuesday’s Republican primary election for secretary of state between Bill Johnson and Hilda Legg will be held May 26.

Legg, a consultant former executive director of the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, requested the recanvass by county boards of election in the closest race of Tuesday’s primary. Johnson, a Todd County businessman and teacher, defeated Legg by 1,097 votes with 100 percent of precincts reporting, according to the Associated Press.

Taiwan: Legislators mull lowering voting age in Taiwan | Taipei Times

As presidential candidates increase their efforts to canvass support from first-time voters, lawmakers from across party lines are mulling whether to amend the law to lower the legal voting age to 18 years.

However, some academics cast doubt on the idea, saying that lowering the legal voting age would require a constitutional amendment.

Texas: Port Arthur Texas explains election night results delay | PAnews.com

One of the largest elections in the city’s recent history could have played a part in slow elections results coming from Port Arthur on May 14, city officials said. The city of Port Arthur’s election night performance has been a source of concern for some, and prompted city officials to issue a statement of explanation.

Acting City Secretary Sherri Bellard and Acting Assistant City Secretary Kelly Moore issued a press release Friday in response to concerns that election results were not made available until about 11 p.m., an hour or longer than other area cities on May 14.

National: Gingrich Walks Back Support For Poll Tests Just A Day After Reiterating Support For Them | ThinkProgress

Former GOP House Speaker and current presidential candidate Newt Gingrich walked back his support for poll tests Friday, just a day after reiterating support for making young Americans pass an American history test in order to gain voting rights.

In a brief interview at a campaign stop, ThinkProgress asked Gingrich about his comments the day before when he said, “it wouldn’t be bad to have a test for young Americans before they can vote.”

Wisconsin: Senate passes Wisconsin voter ID bill, sends to Walker | Wisconsin Law Journal

The state Senate gave final legislative approval to a bill that would require Wisconsin voters to show photo identification during a ragged session Thursday, clearing the way for Gov. Scott Walker to sign the measure into law next week.

Assembly Republicans passed the measure in a late-night session last week. Republicans who control the Senate brought the bill up for debate on Tuesday. Democrats railed against it into the early morning hours on Wednesday, finally using a procedural maneuver to delay the final vote until Thursday.

Wisconsin: Waukesha County Could Complete Recount Today – Politics News Story – WISN Milwaukee

Update: : Supreme Court Recount Done in Waukesha County | Today’s TMJ4 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin News, Weather, Sports, WTMJ | Local News.

More than six weeks after the election, Waukesha County is nearing the end of its recount in the supreme court race.

South Carolina: The Voter ID Bill Faces New Problems in South Carolina | WYFF Greenville

But opponents believe the measure will suppress voter turnout. An estimated 178,000 voters in South Carolina don’t have a driver’s license. Those voters will be able to get state-issued ID cards for free.

However, in the middle of a budget crisis in South Carolina, there is no money to pay for it.

“So it could be that the first two elections may be very dicey for voter ID process,” said Conway Belangia.

Wisconsin: GOP legislative aide under investigation for voter fraud

A Republican legislative aide is under investigation for possible vote fraud after she cast her ballot in the November election in Onalaska although she lives in Madison.

La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke said he has forwarded the report from the Onalaska Police Department to Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne to see if criminal charges are warranted against Marcie Malszycki, 30, an aide to state Rep. Warren Petryk, R-Eleva.

Editorials: Statement from Howard Simon on Voter Suppression Act of 2011 Being Signed into Law by Governor Scott | ACLU

If it weren’t so grotesquely un-American, you’d almost want to congratulate them for the audacity and efficiency of the attack. Governor Scott and the anti-civil liberties State Legislature have achieved an astonishing voter suppression trifecta. With just one bill, they made it harder to register to vote, harder to cast your vote, and harder to have your vote counted.

The right to participate in a fair election is the backbone of our democracy, and election laws are supposed to protect that right by making our elections fair and transparent. The current regime in Tallahassee wrongly sees voting as a privilege rather than the fundamental right that it is. They feel free to manipulate the voting process and use election laws as a weapon to against Floridians whose rights are inconvenient to their power.

Editorials: Tallahassee meddling in voting rights – Editorial | MiamiHerald.com