Repugs desperate to pass racist poll tax before they lose House

[quinnox]

DNC press release

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today, a Georgia state judge threw out Republican attempts to restrict voting rights through a harmful Voter ID proposal. The Superior Court judge issued a permanent injunction prohibiting the voter ID law from going into effect. The ruling affirmed that the law violated Georgians' constitutional rights and could lead to lawfully registered voters being denied their right to vote. Georgia's restrictive voter ID law has been overturned several times by either a state or federal judge. Originally, Georgia's law was opposed by career attorneys within the Justice Department who were overruled by Bush Administration appointees with partisan motives. Just last week a circuit court also overturned Missouri's harmful voter ID.

Despite this and similar rulings tomorrow, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on H.R. 4844. This bill, inappropriately named the "Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006" would disenfranchise thousands of voters by requiring them to obtain and produce government issued photo ID proving their citizenship before they could vote.

"This is the second blow in less than a week to the Republican strategy to narrow and limit the rights of America's voters," said
Democratic National Committee Voting Rights Institute Chair Donna Brazile. "This latest decision in favor of voting rights and against Georgia's voter ID sends a message to Republicans across the country, that their partisan schemes to undermine the right to vote will not go unchallenged."

"Tomorrow, Republicans should think twice before enacting a law that requires voters to pay for photo ID and proof of citizenship. This Republican legislation would become the equivalent of a national poll tax. As Democrats, we believe that no American should have to pay in order to vote and we will continue to fight for meaningful election reform that ensures every citizen has access to the ballot and that those votes are accurately counted. While the Republicans play politics at the ballot box, Democrats will continue to work with state and local officials to help avoid some of the messy problems that have occurred this election cycle."

[texpatriot2004]

1. K & R for Transparent Democracy nm

[ThomWV]

2. Its Not The Money That Is So Egregious, Its Getting Permission To Vote

It would not matter if the voter ID cards would be handed out for free on street corners. It seems to me that what is really happening here is a citizen has to go to the state and ask permission (via grant of the ID) to vote in future elections. The money is not really the point, although it brings up points all of its own.

[One_Life_To_Give]

3. Doesn't mention proof of address

Isn't that how R's are double voting by claiming multiple addresses and voting in each?