Voter registration down among Hispanics, blacks

[alp227]

Source: Washington post

The number of black and Hispanic registered voters has fallen sharply since 2008, posing a serious challenge to the Obama campaign in an election that could turn on the participation of minority voters.

Voter rolls typically shrink in non-presidential election years and registrations fell among whites as well, but this is the first time in nearly four decades that the number of registered Hispanics has dropped significantly.

That figure fell 5 percent across the country, to about 11 million, according to the Census Bureau. But in some politically important swing states, the decline among Hispanics, who are considered critical in the 2012 presidential contest, is much higher: just over 28 percent in New Mexico, for example, and about 10 percent in Florida.

For both Hispanics and blacks, the large decrease is attributed to the ailing economy, which forced many Americans to move in search of work or because of other financial upheaval.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/voter-registration-down-among-hispanics-blacks/2012/05/04/gIQAOqEY1T_singlePage.html

[KansDem]

1. The GOP's voter suppression plan...

From the article--

But those efforts, say campaign officials, have been complicated by laws approved by state legislatures since 2008, including some that place additional requirements on groups that register voters.

“It is disheartening to see voting becoming harder in states across the country,” said Katie Hogan, a spokeswoman for the Obama campaign. She said the campaign is “doing the challenging work of registering voters, even when Republican legislation is trying to make it more difficult.”

A dozen state legislatures passed rules last year requiring voters to present state-issued photo IDs when they arrive at the polls, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, although in four states the laws were vetoed by Democratic governors.

Florida and Ohio will cut nearly in half the number of days for early voting, and Florida lawmakers reversed rules that had made it easier for former felons to vote.

Florida also passed new rules governing groups that register voters, requiring them to turn in completed voter registration forms within 48 hours or risk fines. Groups previously had 10 days to file the forms. As a result, the League of Women Voters, the Boy Scouts and several other organizations that register voters halted efforts in Florida.

Opponents of the laws say Republican legislatures have attempted to tamp down turnout among minorities, who tend to vote for Democrats.

“We’re seeing the squeeze put on voters of color. They were hit by the economy, they have to re-register to vote, and now they are hit by new registration requirements,” said Judith Browne Dianis, a civil rights lawyer and co-director of the Advancement Project, which is challenging the laws in several states.

[HockeyMom]

4. HS teachers in Florida

are complaining about this. The Repukes are supressing the votes of anyone who might register and vote Democrat. I saw this myself as a new Florida voter. Besides announcing to the world my Party registration, why do I need a "special" voting machine in a General Election? I doubt my vote was counted in Florida in the last Presidential election.

They will do anything they can to win the next election, even outright illegal methods.

[crazylikafox]

7. They made you vote on a "special machine"?

I don't understand what that means. Could you give us more information? They're not having different categories of voters vote on different machines, are they? Geesh, they're not even trying to hide the cheating anymore.

[HockeyMom]

11. Yes, in the Presidential election

I was told that I had to vote on a Democrat machine. Why??????? Very red, Naples, Florida.

[crazylikafox]

12. That has to be illegal!!! Do you know if this has been officially protested??

My head is spinning.

[jpak]

6. ALEC and Kochs win

yup

[goclark]

10. Yep ~ the clock is ticking and we are playing

right into the Rethugs hand~

WAKE UP DEMOCRATS!

[msongs]

2. 3 years of appeasing republicans instead of intervening in voting rights suppression nt

[Iliyah]

3. Ok

the Washington Post huh, still early and the Obama team is rectifying that now. Once IDs are obtained across the country especially in the gopper controlled areas, Alec or another group will create something else to detour people, minorities in particular from voting. Its a never ending story and if the GOP had their way, women as well as minorities would have their voting privileges taken away.

CAUSE its the Christian way, halleluzus, AMEN.

[EC]

5. Is this just new registrations?

Wouldn't all the new people registered in 2008 still be registered?

[CenaW]

8. Moved,lost home, lost job, etc.

I have moved, not for economic reasons, but to be nearer family.
I have not re-registered, yet.
I will, YES!

[CenaW]

9. -yes, read with-smirk: Democratic party is assisting voters in very strong liberal precincts to

move to precincts with narrow margins, Republican/Democratic.
The Democratic party will capture a larger number of U. S. Representatives and possibly a U. S. Senator or two.

[spanone]

13. 'mission accomplished'

G O P