This is what happens when people sit on their asses and let republicans take office....

[kayakjohnny]

New Florida Election Law Stirs Up Controversy

October 23, 2011 12:55 AM

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The teacher who heads up New Smyrna Beach High School's student government association could face thousands of dollars in fines. Her transgression? Helping students register to vote.

Prepping 17-year-olds for the privileges and responsibilities of voting in a democracy is nothing new for civics teachers, but when Jill Cicciarelli organized a drive at the start of the school year to get students pre-registered, she ran afoul of Florida's new and controversial election law.

Among other things, the new rules require that third parties who sign up new voters register with the state and that they submit applications within 48 hours. The law also reduces the time for early voting from 14 days to eight and requires voters who want to give a new address at the polls to use a provisional ballot.


http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/southeast-volusia/2011/10/23/new-florida-election-law-stirs-up-controversy.html



Even the supervisor of elections is in shock. She hasn't found one person who like this law.
Fortunately, the ACLU is suing to block implementation of this law.

[tabasco]

1. Why do republicans hate democracy?

Serious question.

[Pirate Smile]

4. Because the more people who vote = less power for them.

Legislation that makes it easier for people to vote and broadens the electorate damages their prospects of winning.

[City Lights]

9. Because if everyone who wants to vote gets to vote, republicans lose.

They cannot win unless they cheat.

[Scuba]

11. Because it's a threat to their corporate masters. n/t

[seacaves]

2. Fear of violating the new rules prompted the League of Women Voters to suspend voter registration ef

What is happening to the US that I once knew--not to long ago.

The speed of these TeaOP stifling regulations is beyond the pale.

...........Fear of violating the new rules prompted the League of Women Voters to suspend voter registration efforts in Florida. Local political activists in both parties have been similarly stymied, Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall said.

[Pirate Smile]

5. This is exactly what the people who passed the legislation wanted.

[Pirate Smile]

3. "This is what happens when people sit on their asses and let republicans take office.."

True!

Also true about anyone who encourages and promotes the argument that both parties are the same so it really doesn't matter if people vote or that they should vote third party.

They are Republican enablers and help get these horrendous laws passed.

[redqueen]

17. Hear, hear! (nt)

[MadHound]

6. This is what happens when Democrats offer up candidates not worth voting for

People stay home and the 'Pugs take power. People's votes aren't owed to anybody, they have to be earned. If they aren't earned by the Dems, then somebody else gets them, or they simply aren't cast. The onus is on the candidate to earn those votes.

[Fumesucker]

7. That concept seems to be as elusive as quantum chromodynamics to some people..

Put up candidates that people *want* to vote for and they'll vote, put up candidates that are slightly less bad than the opposition and watch the voters stay home out of apathy.

[kayakjohnny]

8. It's that and unlimited contributions from people like the Koch's that no legitimate candidate can

withstand. Which is exactly what happened ALL over Florida last time.

Not to mention other states.

[MadHound]

10. Well, the contribution issue is a huge one, but one that can be overcome

But you have to have really good candidates to do so.

[tabasco]

12. The people I know are intelligent and civic-minded enough

to choose the best option over the worst option, despite the fact that the best option is not perfect.

You must run with a different crowd.

[MadHound]

13. I'm not speaking of your circle of acquaintances, or even mine

I'm speaking of getting out the vote, something I'm very familiar with. It is basic Politics 101 that if you have a great candidate, getting out the vote is easy because people are inspired and enthused. However if all you have is a tepid candidate, getting out the vote is like pulling teeth, and a lot of people simply stay home.

[libinnyandia]

19. a mediocre candidate is no excuse

In a perfect world, candidates would be perfect. In this world even slightly better should be enough. Once someone is in office, then you work to improve them. That's better than staying at home. Gore was better than Bush.

[izquierdista]

15. You must run with a small crowd

In my lifetime I have met many dumb, ignorant, poorly informed, apathetic types who nevertheless, manage to make it to the polls on election day to vote for their team.

[tabasco]

16. No, all my friends are typical Democrats.

They are not silly utopians and do what is best for the country and its people - - they vote Democratic.

[izquierdista]

20. Like I said, a small crowd

I live in Georgia, where 80+% of the white people are as I described -- they vote Republican. Only 10-20% or so are like Jimmy Carter, thinking what would be best for the country.

[lunatica]

14. Because leaving the power to the vagaries of voters is risky for Republicans

[Tsiyu]

18. These laws are unconstitutional on their ugly FACE

And need to be struck down.

HInt to lurkers: If you can't win fairly, Repukes, the nation is telling you something...

But the Pukes are going to get blowback from members of their own party. A lot of Puke voters are old; here in TN that presents a problem getting the required documentation. I'll guarantee it will cost them as many votes as it will cost us in some very red communities. In cities, not so much.