Democrats Get Serious About Voting Rights

[L. Coyote]

Democrats Get Serious About Voting Rights
July 6, 2016 Jonathan Bernstein

The Democrats are going on the offensive to make voting easier. The draft language in the party's 2016 platform is much stronger than it was in 2012, and that's mostly good for democracy.

The party's shift from its defensive crouch started in the states, with the adoption of automatic-voter registration rules in Oregon, California, West Virginia, Connecticut, Vermont and Illinois. Hillary Clinton endorsed these efforts last summer, and now the national Democratic platform is being written accordingly.

The smorgasbord of measures includes an expected call to restore Voting Rights Act provisions that the Supreme Court weakened as well as a relatively new fight at the national party level for “voting rights for those who have served their sentences,” referring to former felons. Currently, many states delay restoring the vote to ex-felons, and some states have a lifetime ban.

Democrats also will support “expanding early voting and vote-by-mail, implementing universal automatic voter registration, same day voting, ending partisan and racial gerrymandering, and making Election Day a national holiday.” Most important here is the automatic registration combined with Election Day voter sign-up for anyone who isn't already registered. In most democracies in the world, registration is not a barrier to voting.

...............

[whatthehey]

1. Goddamit it's just like I read on DU; this is the Republican platform I tell you!

[Orsino]

2. Heh.

Yeah, it's good to see the Dem platform moving in the right direction.

[L. Coyote]

4. Poe's Law just took effect. LOL.

Only 50%

[nikto]

13. The Democratic Party is feeling The Bern where it counts----IN POLICIES

It's never been about personalities, or anything else, except
POLICIES.

[Cayenne]

3. Voting should be on Veterans Day

My peeve.

[Hortensis]

5. Nice idea, Cayenne, but I don't think it'd work.

Many, like us, have other things to do on Veterans Day, including often long drives to cemeteries, meeting up with family, etc. Plus attention, including civic events, would be split between Election Day and Veterans Day, and that's not exactly honoring either as it should be.

I do feel Election Day should definitely be a national holiday also to honor its importance, though.

(Note that these reasons have nothing at all to do with interfering with profitmaking, which of course is really big with some.)

[moose65]

27. How about Columbus Day, then?

Columbus Day is pretty much a useless holiday, as far as I can see! It makes more sense to me to have elections on a Monday (or even the whole weekend plus Monday), and the weather in October is a lot better in much of the country than it is in November!

[meow2u3]

6. Voting should be the first WEEKEND in November

Tuesday is too archaic and 18th century. Time to update voting rights to the 21st Century and change Election Day into Election Weekend.

[L. Coyote]

7. That requires a Constitutional Amendment, & we cannot afford to let right wingers get a crack at it.

They would do too much harm to democracy.

[moose65]

26. I don't think it requires an amendment

The Constitution gives Congress the power to establish Election Day, so the date can be changed by Congress.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. What took them so long? So very long on such a fundamental issue?

[FighttheFuture]

17. Both Partys' entrenched politicos benefit from the status quo, even if it is crappy. Over time, the

R's have pushed it so much in their favor that the Status Quo is no longer holding, so... you finally have action. Probably too late for this election, and perhaps the next several considering the lock the R's have on so many state legislatures and the House with Gerrymandering. Here's hoping I am wrong.

[wildeyed]

24. In my experience, this is not true.

As a voting rights activist, I have found all Democrats, including the most conservative and entrenched, are very interested in more progressive voting laws. It may not have been at the top of their published agendas, but they all benefit from more voters in the system and had zero reasons to actively impede reforms.

It is great that the DNC is highlighting these issues, but that comes from the activists and members concerns. The DNC is not some monolith living off in the mountains somewhere. It is people like you and me, except they are willing to go to a ridiculous number of boring meetings and put up with a mountain of bull shit (speaking for myself here). And the people who complain the loudest and do the most work get the attention.

[FighttheFuture]

30. The proof is in the pudding. When they had control, when they could have pushed these issues,

they did not. I am talking party leadership, not the occasional Dem here and there who was speaking out. Talk is cheap. If they were, collectively, "so interested" then where are the results of that interest? Many entrenched Dems, especially in conservative districts who are almost like R's have a real interest in keeping things as they are lest they are ousted for a more progressive candidate. You are fooling yourself to think otherwise.

[wildeyed]

34. Nah, my state passed a BUNCH of progressive legislation when Dems were in power.

NC had some of the most liberal election law in the country while the state government was controlled by conservative Dems like Mike Easly. Under these "DINOs" we got extended early voting hours, same day registration, public funding for local judicial campaigns and even a trial for preferential ballots (benefits grassroots and third-party candidates) in a few local races. All of these gains were rolled back under the GOP who took control in 2010 and then they added nasty things like voter ID law.

So there you have it!

Strong activist coalition + Democrats in power = progressive voter laws

GOP = voter suppression

There's your proof right there! I have seen the difference between GOP and conservative Dems up close and personal and the difference is HUGE. The electoral math for Democrats favors a large and diverse voter pool. This is true for ALL Dems, not just liberals. The GOP math favors limiting the pool of potential voters as much as possible. It is really that simple.

If you have a Democratically controlled state, you can get progressive voter legislation passed, either as a party activist or (my path) as a volunteer for an activist group that focuses on voting rights. It requires attention and some effort, something that many around here have in short supply. But the FACTS of the matter are incontrovertible. Do the work and you will see results.

[FighttheFuture]

36. Locally, yes. I am referring to the federal level. They simply don't address it, until now...

they are finally starting to say something. I suppose its because the primary elections in the various states were, at times, odd. I know Bernie has spoken on this issue, and a few Dems, but at the Federal level, not much as been done. Int he meantime, electronic voting machines (totally untrustworthy), caging lists, etc. have crept all over... but I agree, its a real republican problem. I am just saying the Federal level of the Dem party seems pretty mum on all this, until very recently.

[wildeyed]

38. It is because only now are enough people focusing on the issue.

Again, the DNC is not some giant living in the mountains. It is mostly made up of local and state level volunteers. Just people like you and me. And in my experience, it can be a massive bureaucratic clusterfuck. It DOES need fixing, but how to do that is a complicated problem. IMO, they dropped Dean's system, not because it wasn't a good idea in THEORY, but because, in PRACTICE, it was unworkable. So many state and local parties are FUBAR. It is hard to get anything done. And it takes ages to get consensus and for ideas to percolate up through the system. 50 states is a very good idea, but there is not enough infrastructure, money or volunteers to execute at this time.

I have been paying close attention to these issues for more than a decade. You know what most "progressives" said to me when I tried to warn them about voter ID ten years ago? "Who cares, doesn't everyone have ID?" Groups that worked to mobilize young, urban, immigrant and/or black voters knew what voter ID meant from the start. It was white, middle-class progressives who didn't get it. They do now that it hurt a primary candidate that many preferred and had an impact on their lives. The media is also to blame. They bought the GOP line about how voter ID would protect the system from fraud, even though there was zero evidence of widespread fraud and it would clearly disenfranchise a TON of voters.

Now that we see some consequences and the white middle-class portion of our base is educated on the issue, we see some change. But this is NOT the fault of "party" Dems. It is the fault of Democrats who didn't pay attention and a broken media. None of it was nefarious or corrupt. Shit happens. We try to fix it and move on. If we kick GOP ass this November, we have a much more open road on voting rights issues. Imma work on doing that, not berating my own side for understandable mistakes made in the past.

[FighttheFuture]

39. Too much focus on ID's when the real theft is happening electronically and voter role ejection.

Dean was focusing on the 50 state strategy and it did make a difference and certainly helped Obama. Dean also told Rham to no for his DCCC funds as he was needing them for the overall party at various levels. That's the issue, also, the top of the Dems only focus on themselves and preserving their power structure vs. strengthening the part overall. We are all in this together and they need to do what Dean was doing because they do not have the massive money the R's do to takeover at all levels. They need to be smart about it thought the various levels, and I am still not seeing that. That's why so many seats run unopposed, even for the House!

The problem is starting ot be recognized, but not at the points where I think it needs to be -- Electronic machines. We need to go back to paper ballots, hand counted, and the counting on a recorded open stream for anyone to view with a connection! Harder to steal elections then.

[wildeyed]

41. I disagree.

I have yet to see real proof of the electronic theft allegations. IMO, people use that as an excuse when their preferred candidate loses and they can't accept that they lost legit. And I need more specifics on the "voter role ejection". Florida and a few other states will purge their roles before a big election if they can get away with it. Battleground states in the Electoral College are won or lost by very thin margins. If you are the GOP and can scrap off a point or two by purging the roles, another by voter ID, another by engineering long lines in minority precincts... well that might be enough. They are ALL important issues, but it is like playing whack-a-mole. Nearly impossible to hit them all simultaneously.

There are voter protection groups in most states that address these issues. For example, I go to Board of Election meetings to advocate for better early voting hours and locations and have been a part of a poll watching group. If you are truly concerned, then I assume that you are participating and/or donating to one or more similar groups? It is the lack of volunteers and resources that bedevil us. We all know what the problems are already.

[FighttheFuture]

42. I've seen enough to convince me. Regardless, electronic machines cannot be trusted. too many ways

to hack them, and way too many stories of issues for comfort. Not to mention exit pools just never seem to work very well here anymore in a number of general elections. Our "democracy" and voting systems are badly damaged and compromised. If you want trust, you have to go back to something that is much harder to steal at the speed of light!

[wildeyed]

43. Well you are entitled to an opinion, but we generally require a link

to some sort of actual fact to have a legitimate debate in a discussion forum. I will leave you with the fact that elections were stolen loooong before electronic machines were in use. I can show you actual proof of an election being stolen through the use of absentee ballots (which are paper) in recent history. Alas, there is no full proof method.

[FighttheFuture]

44. "we"require links? These issue have been exposed for years. Still to help you out...

Consider this... electronic machines can make it very easy to steal election and flip results.

The older ways you refer to take much more effort, time and concentrated conspiracy to pull off. It does happen, of course. Chicago machine politics did this for quite some time to varying degrees long ago. Stuffing the ballot box. Paying local voters a few bucks to vote a certain way. Etc.

Don Seigleman is a good recent example of election fraud and the failure of electronic voting machines. The election of Wisconsin supreme court election of David Prosser judge is very problematic.

Regardless, I am not here to go into a big discussion of stolen elections, fishy results, exit polls (the gold standard) jsut not working well in this country any more. Maybe you may recall how easy it was for the electronic Machines, shown on air to Howard Dean , some time ago. This and much more is pretty well known at this point if you want to educate yourself. Especially since the crap between 2000 - 2006, when these came into general usage. Do some searches, look at Brad Blog, Truthout. Etc. this isn't new news.

What I am pointing out the electronic voting machines are not to be trusted; they are too error prone, hackable, and really unverifiable. People think they are like their ATM with all teh accounting and security that goes into those, and even those are hacked, but it is traceable/verifable (that accounting thing again). They need to be removed. go back to paper ballots, hand counted with open counting viewable by all. that's just a start.

[Demsrule86]

46. When exactly did we have control?

The answer is never. And you can thank voters who stayed home in 2010 for the Gerrymander. How about all those people fighting for the platform head to important battleground states and help fight for the vote.

[FighttheFuture]

47. The problems with voting have been visibly going on since Bush Jr's $election. the Dems have been

outmaneuvered, badly. It does nto help that they do not speak out about it, and only now, are finally saying something. Probably too little too late and will loose them many elections, again, even with that dumpster fire, Trump.

[Demsrule86]

48. I think we will get the Senate.

The House it depends if we win the presidency by big numbers.

[FighttheFuture]

49. Logically I think the Dems should clean house with this election. In my gut, I am not so sure...

This country has been so purposefully stupefied over the last 40 years; trained like mynah birds to go to the shiny object; conditioned to ignore substance and celebrate hot air. All this is happening at more and more levels in our society, whether socially or within business. Lets just say I really do not trust the American people to make a good choice as so many are not informed and seemingly incapable of evaluating facts (if they can even recognize or obtain them). Layer on that our badly damaged voting system that makes voting a real chore, even impossible, for so many, and our useless, even dangerous Main Stream Media ... well... I am not so sure.

Fuck.

[Demsrule86]

50. The GOP wins on racism and desperation...and of course fear.

They are dangerous, and under the right conditions could pull off a narrow win...we have to stop them.

[NCTraveler]

9. From the '08 Platform

Voting Rights

Voting rights are fundamental rights because they are protective of all other rights. We will work to fully protect and enforce the fundamental Constitutional right of every American vote—to ensure that the Constitution's promise is fully realized. We will fully fund the Help America Vote Act and work to fulfill the promise of election reform, including fighting to end long lines at voting booths and ensuring that all registration materials, voting materials, polling places, and voting machines are truly accessible to seniors, Americans with disabilities, and citizens with limited English proficiency. We will call for a national standard for voting that includes voter-verified paper ballots. We will ensure that absentee ballots are accessible and accurately counted. We will vigorously enforce our voting rights laws instead of making them tools of partisan political agendas; we oppose laws that require identification in order to vote or register to vote, which create discriminatory barriers to the right to vote and disenfranchise many eligible voters; and we oppose tactics which purge eligible voters from voter rolls. We are committed to passing the Count Every Vote Act. Finally, we will enact legislation that establishes harsh penalties for those who engage in voter intimidation and creates a process for providing accurate information to misinformed voters so they can cast their votes in time.

[Demsrule86]

10. Here in Ohio

We have lost voting locations...in Democratic areas...they are getting ready to make a serious stab at stealing Ohio. We are already working on this...so far we still have some early voting.

[Leftcoastgary]

11. Mail in

Besides the motor voter thing here in Oregon Mail in Ballots for all!!!!

[L. Coyote]

12. Yes, we love our mail-in ballots in Oregon. And we have great turnout.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

22. Here in Oregon voting is simple and easy

no lines and a paper trail.

[nikto]

14. Of course, the GOP will fight this to the death ...

Which means we need to fight all the way.

Actually, I kinda' like that end-game, as stated.

[L. Coyote]

15. Let's hope that will indeed be the end.

An undemocratic party in a democracy dooms itself.

[nikto]

21. Yeah, you'd think, but ...

Stupidity dies hard in these United States.


But we can hope.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

23. After the election the fight will continue.

[nikto]

28. After the election is where the biggest fights will be ...

Over stuff like
Hillary's appointments to key positions (no more Geitners/Paulsons or Rahm Emanuels, please),
following-thru on policy promises (i.e and at least *fighting hard* for Progressive policies, reagrdless of outcome),
and not surrendering on key points even before negotiations (as Obama did with Public Option and ACA).

We will not, we must not, repeat the mistakes of 2008/12, and stop watching like hawks
after the election is over. Our focus must not be lost after election day, this time around.

The Party must move solidly left on economic policies, no matter how much
the big corporate funder$ may object.

All "Bernie-ites" who supported Hillary will be watching this super-closely.

Once we help get Hillary elected, then the real battle (with corporatists in our own Party)
will commence, and it will not be easy.

[FighttheFuture]

16. About Fucking Time!!! Too bad DWS wasn't working on this as DNC Chair... too busy courting

Payday lenders.

[L. Coyote]

18. Actually she was.

And she was a leader for reform. Wasserman Schultz co-sponsored criminalizing false or deceptive info about elections

[FighttheFuture]

19. BFD. That's not the significant problem with our elections.

Closing polling places, kicking tens of thousands off voter rolls that would likely vote D, untrustworthy and unverifiable electronic voting machines. There's you real problem. Also, local level recruiting and running candidates, something Howard Dean had pushed with his 50 state strategy, was quickly jettisoned after he was pushed out.

Frankly, I cannot find her on this issue. DO you have a link?

[L. Coyote]

20. Agreed. But it does contradict your insult to her and the party.

Oh, and you can't find anything to support your assertion either? That's rich! So the onus is on me? That's richer yet.

[FighttheFuture]

29. First, DWS is a real turd. If the party wants her, that's on them. I don't! Next you MADE

the claim of what she supported, so all I am asking of YOU is to back it up. Talk is cheap, and often wrong. I did a quick search and nothing is coming up and I am not your checker. If you think otherwise, think again!

[L. Coyote]

32. Your failure was inconclusive, not my fault.

I am not your rechecker.

[FighttheFuture]

33. Now your babbling. If she really supported voting reform, as you claim, show me the link.

[L. Coyote]

35. After you prove your ungrounded attack, I'll counter. You threw out the faklse claim. Support it.

Have fun proving a negative you lobbed without facts.

[FighttheFuture]

37. What? That she courted payday lenders? Where have you been?? Else, be more specific.

I'm am just pointing out that I've seen her do nothing foe voting reform, and she is a general piece of crap as far as being a Democrat. I said she was busy courting her payday lenders (talk about fucking tone deaf). That's why she is in the fight for her life from a more progressive candidate, Tim Canova. You said she did do something for voting, so I looked, found nothing and asked for you for a link. Is this clear enough for you?

[wildeyed]

25. This is GREAT news!

[L. Coyote]

31. Democrats Unite on Voting Rights

 Democrats Unite on Voting Rights
The 2016 Democratic platform has the strongest language on voting rights in the party’s history.
By Ari Berman

 On July 2, 1964, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, the country’s most sweeping civil-rights bill at the time.

Later that August, at the Democratic Convention in Atlantic City, black and white activists with the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party tried to integrate the state’s all-white Democratic delegation, testing the party’s commitment to civil rights. Fannie Lou Hamer riveted the convention with her testimony about the dangers of trying to register to vote in Mississippi:

.................

[DemonGoddess]

40. Democrats have always been serious about voting rights n/t

[Demsrule86]

45. How nice

While I like the more progressive platform. In real America. we have more GOP governors than Dem governors ...thanks to voters not coming out off year...and a gerrymandered House as well...In Ohio where I live, the race is on to disqualify as many voters as possible and to close as many polls in Democratic areas as possible...in my town...we now have one polling place ...just one...with a small parking lot...long lines in Ohio will give the GOP time to steal the state...now tell me how does any platform help with that? They are purging votes in Florida as well...again...how does any platform help our situation?