Wisconsin: Election officials wary as Walker signs Wisconsin voter ID bill into law

Election officials across Wisconsin are bracing for a difficult transition as the state rushes into place new rules for voting signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker Wednesday — including a controversial measure requiring voters to use photo IDs. Passage of the controversial law, which has been discussed by Republicans for more than a decade, means those charged with enforcing it have just under two months to develop and implement the training needed to handle polls in the coming recall elections.

“This will be a huge undertaking, to get everything and everybody ready,” said Diane Hermann-Brown, Sun Prairie city clerk and president of the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association. “We still have questions about how this will work.”

National: Republicans vote to end Election Assistance Commission, set up after Bush v. Gore – TheHill.com

Republicans on the Committee on House Administration have voted to eliminate the independent commission that was established to address election problems after the contested 2000 presidential contest between George W. Bush and Al Gore.

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission, established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002, has disbursed more than $3 billion in “requirements” payments to states to update voting machines and enhance election administration. But the commission has seen that funding significantly decline in recent years.

National: GOP Seeks Savings in Phasing Out Election Assistance Commission | Roll Call News

An effort by House Republicans to close the Election Assistance Commission cleared its first obstacle Wednesday. After some limited Democratic opposition, the House Administration Committee approved a bill that would remove funding from the EAC and transfer much of its responsibilities to the Federal Election Commission.

The bill, which was approved by voice vote, is expected to receive a vote on the House floor next month, and Republicans are optimistic of its passage. “Now is simply the time to end the EAC and to save the American taxpayers $14 million a year,” said Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.), the bill’s sponsor. “It doesn’t get any easier to find an example of wasteful spending.”

Minnesota: Secretary of State Mark Ritchie: Voter ID Turns a Right into a Privilege | The UpTake

I believe that the Governor should follow-through on his promise to veto any election legislation that lacks broad bi-partisan support and should take a stand to protect the right to vote.

At a first glance, the requirement asking eligible voters to show a government-issued photo ID before being allowed to vote seems reasonable. After all, most Minnesotans have a photo ID. So what’s the big deal? The big deal is that in our Constitution voting is a right not a privilege. Many Minnesotans may be surprised to learn that over 10% of seniors do not have a government-issued photo ID and many more have one, but with the wrong address. This is especially true of those who no longer drive.

South Carolina: Opponents of New South Carolina Voter ID Law Take Fight to the Feds | Free Times

When Republican Gov. Nikki Haley strode out to the podium as The Black Eyed Peas song “I Gotta Feeling” pumped through a PA system in the background and her entourage began a slow, rolling clap, clap, clap before she sat down to sign perhaps one of the strictest voter ID laws in the nation, it certainly raised some eyebrows in the packed State House lobby.

“They are disenfranchising voters to The Black Eyed Peas?” asked Orangeburg Democratic Rep. Bakari Sellers as he looked on. “Who does that?”

Sumter Democratic Rep. David Weeks had a more direct reaction.

Kenya: Parliament backs motion on electronic voting in Kenya | Kenya Broadcasting Corporation

Parliament has Wednesday given the nod to compel the executive facilitate the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission develop a modern electronic system. The system will legalize electronic voter registration in all polling stations in the country up to the national level in readiness for electronic voting come 2012.

The motion sponsored by Karachuonyo MP Eng. James Rege, unanimously received the backing of parliamentarians who termed the current manual system of collection, collation, transmission and tallying of votes as a sham prone to errors and manipulation.

Bangladesh: Election Commission set to introduce electronic polling in Bangladesh over BNP opposition | Gulf Times

The Election Commission (EC) is set to introduce electronic voting machines (EVM) in the coming general elections to stop malpractices during polling but the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, headed by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has already rejected the plan.

Despite BNP’s rejection, the Election Commission will start a series of dialogues with registered political parties on June 7 to take their opinions on introduction of electronic voting machine and enactment of laws outlining criteria for appointment of Election Commissioners.

Wisconsin: Wisconsin governor signs controversial voter ID law | Reuters

The Republican governor of Wisconsin signed a bill on Wednesday that will require voters in the state to show photo identification when they go to the polls.

The measure, which Democrats characterize as a voter suppression effort but Republicans defend as a protection against fraud at the polls, will take partial effect just as nine state senators — including six of Governor Scott Walker’s Republican allies — face recall challenges in mid-July.

Wisconsin: Voter ID law could cause headaches in Wisconsin | Wausau Daily Herald

Senior citizens who don’t drive and University of Wisconsin students who depend on their student IDs to vote are among those who could be turned away from the polls on election days.

Gov. Scott Walker on Wednesday signed into law a bill requiring voters to show some form of photo identification — such as a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, military or tribal ID or passport — before they can vote. College students can vote with a student ID that bears a signature and an expiration date within two years of the card’s issuance, but UW student IDs currently don’t fulfill that requirement.

Wisconsin: Voter ID Law Could Bring Confusion To Wisconsin Voters | WISN Milwaukee

Wisconsin voters will be required to show identification at the polls before casting a ballot. Gov. Scott Walker signed the voter ID bill into law on Wednesday.

…  The Government Accountability Board is already gearing up, preparing a $650,000 for public education campaign. “We will be working on developing billboards and television commercials and other sorts of communications to get the word out,” said Reid Magney of the Government Accountability Board.

Election officials around the state have to jump right in, especially those such as Milwaukee’s Sue Edman, who have Senate recall elections, just a little more than a month away.

Editorials: Jane Ann Morrison: Anyone could have written better rules for special elections in Nevada | ReviewJournal.com

Wonder which legislator did such a pitifully poor job writing a bill to spell out how a new House member should be chosen in Nevada in case of a midterm vacancy? Look no further than former Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Las Vegas.

In 2003, he sponsored Assembly Bill 344. But Perkins, now a lobbyist, thought so little of the bill that is now causing us so much of a ruckus that he handed the duties of carrying the bill to his intern.

Virginia: State weighs in on Montgomery County Virginia vote flap | Roanoke.com

The state board of elections wants Montgomery County election officials to have more training in using electronic poll books and provisional ballots to prevent a repeat of mishaps that occurred in November's elections.

The state board on Wednesday signed off on a letter censuring Montgomery County Registrar Randy Wertz and the three members of the county electoral board who were serving during the Nov. 2, 2010, election, when some voters were allowed to cast ballots without having their registration verified. The letter formalizes the state board's April 29 decision to issue a censure based on findings by the state attorney general's office.

South Dakota: Secretary of State says electronic poll books worked well in Sioux Falls South Dakota election | The Republic

State and local officials in South Dakota praised new voting technology and methods used for the first time in Tuesday’s school board election in Sioux Falls.

The election was the first in the state to use electronic poll books and voting centers. The electronic poll books replace the large paper volumes of voters’ names and automate the voter check-in process, while the voting centers reduce the number of polling sites that need to be staffed while giving voters more options on where to cast ballots.

Malta: A ‘No’ vote will kill tolerance and diversity in Malta – Alternattiva Demokratika | Independent online

A ‘No’ (to the introduction of divorce) result in the upcoming referendum will put the principles of tolerance and diversity at stake, said EU and International Affairs spokesperson for Alternattiva Demokratika Arnold Cassola, yesterday. He was speaking during a press conference held outside the university gates.

AD reminded people that Malta joined the EU in 2004 and urged the Maltese people to live up to the European Union’s motto ’United in diversity’ during this Saturday’s referendum. People should be tolerant to other people’s beliefs, even if they are different. Prof. Cassola said that ‘Yes’ votes are also a hope towards restoring the concept of equality among all Maltese citizens and not privileging those who can get a divorce from abroad, as is the current situation.

The Voting News Daily: Bill wipes out voter safeguards in Tennessee, Wisconsin Set to Pass Country’s Most Restrictive Voter ID Law

Tennessee: Bill wipes out voter safeguards in Tennessee | The Tennessean

In 2008, the Tennessee General Assembly voted almost unanimously to make elections more secure, dependable and trustworthy by requiring a verifiable paper trail for each vote. The step was long overdue — more than 30 states already have such security measures.

But three years later, secure elections in Tennessee remain at risk, and voters may never know if their votes are counted.

The legislature has passed a bill that… Read More

Wisconsin: Wisconsin Set to Pass Country’s Most Restrictive Voter ID Law | Colorlines

Wisconsin will soon have the what’s arguably the nation’s most restrictive voter ID law. The bill was passed through the the Republican-led Senate late last week and is expected be signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker on Wednesday. Voter rights advocates are worried that the new bill will keep some of the Democratic party’s key constituents away from the polls in 2012. And as more bills sweep across the… Read More

Tennessee: Bill wipes out voter safeguards in Tennessee | The Tennessean

In 2008, the Tennessee General Assembly voted almost unanimously to make elections more secure, dependable and trustworthy by requiring a verifiable paper trail for each vote. The step was long overdue — more than 30 states already have such security measures.

But three years later, secure elections in Tennessee remain at risk, and voters may never know if their votes are counted.

Wisconsin: Wisconsin Set to Pass Country’s Most Restrictive Voter ID Law | Colorlines

Wisconsin will soon have the what’s arguably the nation’s most restrictive voter ID law. The bill was passed through the the Republican-led Senate late last week and is expected be signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker on Wednesday. Voter rights advocates are worried that the new bill will keep some of the Democratic party’s key constituents away from the polls in 2012. And as more bills sweep across the country, concern is growing over the GOP’s push to fix a problem that, statistically, just doesn’t exist.

But that wasn’t a concern of Republican Governor Scott Walker last week when the bill passed the state Senate. “Requiring a photo identification to vote will go a long way to eliminate the threat of voter fraud,” Walker told the Wisconsin State Journal. “If you need an ID to buy cold medicine, it’s reasonable to require it to vote.”

Editorials: Our view: Walker signing law we don’t need | LaCrosse Tribune

With the stroke of a pen today, Gov. Scott Walker will officially solve a problem that we don’t have. If you listen to Walker and some fellow governors, they’re protecting the integrity of elections and preventing voter fraud.

If you ask most everyone else, it’s a slick way of making it more difficult for people to vote — especially people who are less likely to vote for Walker and his Republican colleagues.

New York: Corwin granted court order barring certification of winner | The Buffalo News

Jane L. Corwin this afternoon obtained a court order from State Supreme Court Justice Russell P. Buscaglia barring a certification of a winner in the special 26th Congressional District race pending a show-cause hearing before him later this week. The Buffalo News obtained a copy of the show-cause order Buscaglia signed this morning based on a petition the Republican candidate filed Monday.

Under the judge’s 11-page order, attorneys for Corwin have until Wednesday to serve copies of the court order on the election boards of Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, Livingston and Monroe counties, their sheriff’s offices, the state Board of Elections and her three opponents.

Ohio: Ohio Senate OKs shortened period of early voting | Dayton Daily News

Ohioans would see a shorter early voting period under a proposal Tuesday that cleared the Senate in this traditionally presidential swing state. The Republican-led Senate voted 23-10 along party lines to pass the plan, despite Democrats’ objections that parts of the bill could lead to longer lines and discourage people from participating in elections.

Supporters argue they are addressing inconsistencies in the law and want to help county officials save money at a time when they’re struggling to balance budgets. Voters would have 21 days to vote by mail and could cast a ballot in person 16 days before Election Day. That’s down from the current 35-day early voting period.

Ohio: Senate passes Ohio ballot reforms | The Columbus Dispatch

A bill overhauling Ohio election law cleared the Senate today over Democratic objections, and Senate leaders said they did not expect major problems meshing their plan with one passed last week by the House.

Voters would get less time to vote early, online voter registration would be developed and a handful of counties, including Franklin, no longer could send absentee ballot applications to all voters. Senate Bill 148 passed 23-10 along party lines.

Ohio: Ohio Senate bill cuts time for voting absentee, early | Toledo Blade

Ohioans would have less time to vote absentee and early, and counties would be barred from mass-mailing applications for ballots to registered voters under a bill that cleared the Senate Tuesday.

Senate Bill 148, passed strictly with Republican support, seeks to reduce the number of last-resort provisional ballots cast on Election Day and sets statewide standards for when they will and won’t be counted. The bill would let voters for the first time register and update their addresses on the Internet.

Texas: Harris County voting machine fire not arson | Chron.com

A fire that destroyed 10,000 Harris County voting machines last August was the result of an electrical short, not arson, said Kevin Brolan, acting deputy chief of the Houston Fire Department’s arson division.

The fire, coming as it did just weeks before the start of early voting last fall, gave rise to speculation of arson with a political motive.

Nevada: Appeal notices filed over Nevada special election ruling | San Antonio Express-News

The filling period is about to begin for major political party candidates interested in running in Nevada’s special election for the 2nd Congressional District seat. But filing doesn’t guarantee a spot on the Sept. 13 ballot, because that decision remains with the Nevada Supreme Court. Secretary of State Ross Miller said declarations of candidacy will be accepted beginning Wednesday through June 30.

Miller and the Democratic Party filed notices Tuesday with the Nevada Supreme Court challenging a lower court that ruled the Republican and Democratic central committees should choose their party nominee. The Supreme Court has agreed to expedite the case.

Nevada: Contradictory ruling in Nevada | Las Vegas Sun

Republican Rep. Dean Heller’s appointment to the U.S. Senate this month created a novel situation — Nevada has never had to replace a member of the House of Representatives in the middle of a term. As a result, a controversy quickly developed over how to replace Heller because Nevada law doesn’t specifically state how a special election for the House should be conducted.

Because there is no primary in a special election, the state Republican Party wants to pick its nominee. But the law doesn’t provide for the parties to pick their candidates for a special election.

Editorials: Jon Ralston: That’s a fine mess you’ve left, Secretary Heller | Las Vegas Sun

If only Secretary of State Dean Heller had written regulations for a House special election, we wouldn’t have such controversy over filling Sen. Dean Heller’s seat.

But Heller did not, as a 2003 law instructed, write any rules, so now we have chaos, thanks to a Carson City judge’s stunning decision last week that overturned the guidelines proposed by Heller’s successor, Ross Miller. And reading through the 97-page transcript of Judge Todd Russell’s decision reveals a jurist who seemed immediately predisposed to the GOP argument that party central committees should nominate and hostile to the Democratic Party claim that it should be, as Miller calls it, a “ballot royale.”

Followed up by a contradictory order Russell telegraphed from the beginning where he was going, later trying to tamp down any speculation while having a colloquy with Deputy Attorney General Kevin Benson by urging him not to conclude “anything by my questions.”