Obama, the Democrats, et al claim that voter ID is racist as they actively seek to restrict the voting rights of members of the military.
On July 17th, the Obama for America Campaign, the Democratic National Committee and the Ohio Democratic Party filed suit in OH to strike down part of that state’s law governing voting by members of the military. Their suit said that part of the law is “arbitrary” with “no discernible rational basis.”
Currently, Ohio allows the public to vote early in-person up until the Friday before the election. Members of the military are given three extra days to do so. While the Democrats may see this as “arbitrary” and having “no discernible rational basis,” I think it is entirely reasonable given the demands on servicemen and women’s time and their obligations to their sworn duty.
The National Defense Committee reports:
[f]or each of the last three years, the Department of Defense’s Federal Voting Assistance Program has reported to the President and the Congress that the number one reason for military voter disenfranchisement is inadequate time to successfully vote.
Yeah, but the military doesn’t vote overwhelmingly Democratic. Commitment to values, that’s the Democrats.
I saw this too (http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/08/02/obama-campaign-sues-to-restrict-military-voting) and hoped it was erroneous, but it’ does seem true. Apparently the issue is over the fact that“…Ohio allows the public to vote early in-person up until the Friday before the election. Members of the military are given three extra days to do so.” Given the issues surrounding military deployments they probably SHOULD BE given an extra full week.
I vigorously support photo ID for all voters and would make voter fraud (that’s voter REGISTRATION fraud, as that’s the crime, NOT actually “voting improperly) a felony punishable by no less than 5 yrs in prison and I generally oppose mandatory minimums, just NOT in this case.
BUT for those who DO fight voter fraud restrictions to attempt to make military voting more difficult, well that’s unconscionable.
From Hotair.
http://hotair.com/archives/2012/08/03/obama-democrats-suing-to-block-military-voting-in-ohio/
” Like I said, the likely remedy proposed would be to remove the Friday deadline for everyone — and that’s exactly what the plaintiffs are proposing. Gabriel Malor forwarded me a link to the brief, and the relevant language within it:
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs request of this Court the following equitable relief:…
“B. A preliminary and permanent order prohibiting the Defendants, their respective agents, servants, employees, attorneys, successors, and all persons acting in concert with each or any of them, from implementing or enforcing lines 863 and 864 of Sec. 3509.03 (I) in HB 224, and/or the SB 295 enactment of Ohio Revised Code § 3509.03 with the HB 224 amendments, thereby restoring in-person early voting on the three days immediately preceding Election Day for all eligible Ohio voters;
So no, they aren’t trying to block military members from getting to the polls, but arguing that since the polls will be open anyway, everyone else should have access to them as well. A couple of commenters think this will be a “logistical nightmare,” but the logistics aren’t really that scaleable. Having the polls open for a few would be the same as having them open for many. There may need to be few more election judges, but those positions are voluntary anyway.”
IIRC, people in OHIO now have about a month to vote early if they need to do so. I dont really see the need for an extra day for military, but if you are going to have the poll open anyway for them, might as well let everyone else use it also.
Steve
That’s NOT an acceptable remedy.
The military exception exists for a reason, there are no other valid exceptions.
In many South American nations voter registration fraud is punishable by death, then again, so are many other “crimes against the state.” I’m not endorsing that as a remedy, but some middle ground – say 5 yrs first offense (no parole) sounds like a fair start.
I guess the good news side of your suggested remedy is that there is so little evidence of fraud found to be occurring in various studies that it would not lead to further overcrowding of the prisons than we already have.
“The military exception exists for a reason, there are no other valid exceptions.”
Which is what? Ohio has early voting. It begins September 28th. It ends for most people on the Friday before the election. Only for the the military is extended to the following Monday. The only reason I can see for this is pandering for the pro-military vote. If you cannot make it to vote in over a month while you are on active duty in the US, one more day is very unlikely to make a difference. However, if you going to pander and incur the expense, then let everyone have the extra day.
On voter registration, it is considered fraud if you just misspell your name. Most fraud is just not returning the forms. Since we have no voter fraud that would be stopped by an ID, why dont we go after fraud where we do know it exists? Absentee ballots and fraud at the voting machines. Alas, we know why that wont happen.
Steve
wonkette has a good take on this:
http://wonkette.com/480147/what-is-mitt-romney-lying-about-today#more-480147