#15 by laklak » Sep 28, 2016 2:23 pm
The first article lists several issues that are no longer issues. In particular, Poll Tax, Literacy Requirements, and Property Requirements. None have been used in the U.S. since the 60s. Packing. bleaching, cracking, minority/majority districts, and hijacking are simply restatements of or particular instances of gerrymandering which is also listed as a separate voter repression technique. Voting on Tuesdays is no longer an issue as all states have some sort of early voting (though some require a reason for early voting) and/or absentee ballots. This is not an issue in Federal elections because ALL federal elections allow absentee voting. Only three states permanently restrict felons from voting, in all others felons are either allowed to vote immediately after their sentences are served or there is a process by which their rights are restored. So, out of the 12 suppression techniques all that have any validity are gerrymandering, 3 states in which felons are not allowed to vote and voter ID laws Hardly the massive voter suppression machine that the scare headline implies.
Gerrymandering is done by all sides in the political process, and can't be pinned just on the GOP. As for voter ID laws, I fully support them. If you can't prove you're eligible to vote then you shouldn't be voting. Hell, you can't pick up mail at the post office without an ID. Baring felons from voting IS an issue, in fact permanently restricting ANY rights of felons after serving their sentence needs to end.
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