New Citizens Say GOP Took Away Their Right To Choose

[julialnyc]

New Citizens Say GOP Took Away Their Right To Choose
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Dario Cruz has lived in the United States for 16 years, but just became a citizen last week as he and about 200 other immigrants were naturalized.

Dario Cruz takes citizenship oath at the University of North Florida last week.
One of the things he had always wanted to was register to vote, but when he was offered the chance to do that right outside the ceremony, he knew something wasn't right -- the place on the form where you're asked to choose Democrat, Republican or independent was already filled out

http://www.news4jax.com/politics/3495828/detail.html

[ibegurpard]

1. This one needs some legs.

"Channel 4 has tried contracting federal officials about this issue since last Friday and have not received a response, nor have local Republican leaders responded. Folio Weekly will have more on this story in this week's paper."

They're hoping this story will blow over.

[nickinSTL]

2. stupid

So what if they register new citizens as Repubs?

Doesn't keep them from voting for Dems (except in primaries)

It'd just make it look like more Repubs were jumping ship to the Dems.

(this is somewhat sarcastic...it's wrong to do try to force new citizens (or anyone) to register with a particular party)

[LoZoccolo]

3. This might be predatory and manipulative, but might not be illegal.

They don't really say, but the forms might have been those mail-in ones that anyone can go around and pass out (rather than just deputy registrars who'll actually register you right there). It would depend on whether or not it's illegal to have someone fill any part of the form out for you.