Voting Law Proposals and Voting Rights Efforts (1 Viewer)

[MT15]

This is, IMO, going to be a big topic in the coming year. Republicans have stated their aim to make voting more restrictive in just about every state where they have the means to do so. Democrats would like to pass the Voting Rights Bill named after John Lewis. I’m going to go look up the map of all the states which have pending legislation to restrict voting. Now that we have the election in the rear view, I thought we could try to make this a general discussion thread, where people who have concerns about voting abuses can post as well and we can discuss it from both sides. Please keep memes out of this thread and put them in the boards where we go to talk about the other side, lol.

 

[nolaspe]

 

[nolaspe]

@superchuck500 There's no way this is legal, right?

 

[Saint by the Bay]

Something very similar happened in Wisconsin a few years back and law enforcement was dispatched to bring them back. Ultimately I think they "hid" and didn't face any real legal consequences.

Wisconsin Democrats Face Few Legal, Political Consequences for Fleeing

As 14 Wisconsin Democrats enter their fifth day on the run, preventing a quorum inside the state Senate, their unprecedented extended absence raises questions about what, if any, legal and political consequences they might face when they return.

abcnews.go.com

 

[superchuck500]

@superchuck500 There's no way this is legal, right?

Being legal doesn't stop them from trying - especially in Texas. But I don't know what possible criminal charge they could face.

There could be action within the legislature (e.g. censure) but it's not a crime. Using actual state law enforcement to effect arrests is really problematic from a constitutional point of view.

 

[MT15]

From what I got out of listening to tv tonight, its not really an arrest, but they will be escorted to the Capitol building by law enforcement and forced to remain there until the Rs can carry out their votes.

So, it’s a legal kidnapping maybe? Personally, I would bet that never happens.

It was also said that they will stay away for 30 days, to run out the clock somehow. I wasn’t listening closely though, so I may not have that right.

 

[zztop]

I thought they already sued them, but now I'm not sure how or in what way this might be different than the original

Dominion sues Newsmax, One America over U.S. election fraud claims

Dominion Voting Systems Corp on Tuesday sued two conservative media networks, One America News Network and Newsmax Media Inc, saying they defamed the U.S. voting machine company by spreading false claims that it rigged the 2020 election against then-U.S. President Donald Trump.

www.reuters.com

 

[MT15]

Maybe they just threatened to sue? And now they have made good on the threat?

 

[Sandman]

Being legal doesn't stop them from trying - especially in Texas. But I don't know what possible criminal charge they could face.

There could be action within the legislature (e.g. censure) but it's not a crime. Using actual state law enforcement to effect arrests is really problematic from a constitutional point of view.

It is my limited understanding that the Texas Rangers can be dispatched to gather them up and force them to sit for the legislative session—if they are in Texas. Which is why they all left the state.
When they return, they could be brought to the capitol. If the special session is over, I don’t think much, if anything can be done to them.
The vote to “arrest” them is just meat for the base. I see it on my state legislator’s Facebook page. “Lock them up!” They aren’t being arrested for jail from what I have been able to determine— just forcibly brought to the capitol to sit for the special session.
My guess is that someone will propose making it a criminal penalty, but I don’t know how much support that will get.

 

[superchuck500]

It is my limited understanding that the Texas Rangers can be dispatched to gather them up and force them to sit for the legislative session—if they are in Texas. Which is why they all left the state.
When they return, they could be brought to the capitol. If the special session is over, I don’t think much, if anything can be done to them.
The vote to “arrest” them is just meat for the base. I see it on my state legislator’s Facebook page. “Lock them up!” They aren’t being arrested for jail from what I have been able to determine— just forcibly brought to the capitol to sit for the special session.
My guess is that someone will propose making it a criminal penalty, but I don’t know how much support that will get.

That makes sense. And they certainly haven't committed a crime, so there's no basis for a criminal arrest. It's simply making them appear at the session.

 

[Saintman2884]

That makes sense. And they certainly haven't committed a crime, so there's no basis for a criminal arrest. It's simply making them appear at the session.

Why do I sense there's more then a few state or Congressional Republicans or state senators who might pull a stunt like this in the future to prevent some Dem-controlled state legislator or Gov. in states like lets say Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, or Washington to stall or prevent unpopular legislation from being passed, so they all publicly tip their hats to Texas Democrats for inspiration, and they all run off.

I think several Ore. Republican lawmakers did attempt this stunt 2-3 years ago to prevent some carbon-based emission limitations law, so a group of them decided to leave the state.

 

[superchuck500]

Why do I sense there's more then a few state or Congressional Republicans or state senators who might pull a stunt like this in the future to prevent some Dem-controlled state legislator or Gov. in states like lets say Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, or Washington to stall or prevent unpopular legislation from being passed, so they all publicly tip their hats to Texas Democrats for inspiration, and they all run off.

I think several Ore. Republican lawmakers did attempt this stunt 2-3 years ago to prevent some carbon-based emission limitations law, so a group of them decided to leave the state.

Yeah, it has happened before - I don't think anyone can say that the Texas Democrats forged some new trail.

 

[SaulGoodmanEsq]

I'm not really in favor of the course of action they chose. In states where more restrictive voting measures are put in place those on the ground should be concentrating their efforts to make sure their electorate can comply with the requirements to vote. Get people valid IDs. Ensure they know the relevant dates. Get them access/rides to the polls, etc. Plan all this stuff two plus years in advance.

Specifically, as to Texas, it'll be interesting to see if Matthew McConaughey decides to run for governor. Abbott is unpopular and is bungling many local issues like the power grid and COVID response. Trump isn't really his buddy so there's no guarantee he'll come to the rescue with an endorsement. If I'm in the Texas Democratic Party, I'm running some mediocre nobody on the ticket and basically silently endorsing McConaughey. The Dems are not winning the Texas Governor's mansion but someone like McConaughey who probably leans conservative in enough categories to win, lays the ground work for a transition to a blue Texas. Plus he would most likely veto any future restrictive legislation.

 

[MT15]

Okay, so I’m not from around TX. Is McConaughey a serious candidate? I mean is he seriously considering it, and would he run as a R or D or independent? This is the first I’ve heard of this.

 

[DaveXA]

Okay, so I’m not from around TX. Is McConaughey a serious candidate? I mean is he seriously considering it, and would he run as a R or D or independent? This is the first I’ve heard of this.

I suspect he's a Republican. He's made several appearances on FNC. He talks like a conservative for the most part.

 

[SaulGoodmanEsq]

He's a reasonably serious candidate as some legitimate polls have shown him within a few points of Abbot. It's probably to his advantage to run as an independent versus identifying with a party.

Abbott, a two-term Republican, is favored by 39% of Texans of all political stripes, while McConaughey, who hasn’t picked a political party or even committed to running, draws backing from 38%. Nearly a quarter of Texans said they’d vote for someone else.

The poll, conducted June 22-29, surveyed 1,090 registered voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points. It surveyed Texas voters on wide range of state and political issues.

Gov. Abbott rebounds against possible challenger Matthew McConaughey, has razor-thin edge over actor

Gov. Greg Abbott, after trailing potential challenger Matthew McConaughey in the spring, has rebounded and now has a slight – but not statistically...

www.dallasnews.com

 

[Optimus Prime]

I do wonder what’s going to happen the first time an election is overturned for “reasons”
=====================

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s State Election Board on Wednesday took a step toward a possible eventual takeover of elections in the state’s most populous county under a process outlined in the state’s sweeping new voting law that critics argue could open elections up to political interference.

The board voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a bipartisan, three-person review panel to investigate the handling of elections in Fulton County, a Democratic bastion that includes most of the city of Atlanta.

The county has long been a target for Republicans. Their attacks increased after former President Donald Trump baselessly claimed that fraud in the county contributed to his narrow loss in the state. An independent monitorappointed as part of a consent order between the county and the State Election Board found no evidence of fraud or malfeasance.


GOP lawmakers last month asked the state board to appoint the performance review panel, initiating the process that could allow the Republican-controlled state board to replace the county’s board of registration and elections with an administrator it chooses……..

Georgia inches toward possible takeover of Fulton elections

Georgia’s State Election Board has taken a step toward a possible eventual takeover of elections in the state’s most populous county.

apnews.com

 

[Lapaz]

I'm not really in favor of the course of action they chose. In states where more restrictive voting measures are put in place those on the ground should be concentrating their efforts to make sure their electorate can comply with the requirements to vote. Get people valid IDs. Ensure they know the relevant dates. Get them access/rides to the polls, etc. Plan all this stuff two plus years in advance.

Specifically, as to Texas, it'll be interesting to see if Matthew McConaughey decides to run for governor. Abbott is unpopular and is bungling many local issues like the power grid and COVID response. Trump isn't really his buddy so there's no guarantee he'll come to the rescue with an endorsement. If I'm in the Texas Democratic Party, I'm running some mediocre nobody on the ticket and basically silently endorsing McConaughey. The Dems are not winning the Texas Governor's mansion but someone like McConaughey who probably leans conservative in enough categories to win, lays the ground work for a transition to a blue Texas. Plus he would most likely veto any future restrictive legislation.

I don't think that trying to ensure the population can comply will be enough to overcome the suppressive nature of the laws. For example, the laws that forbid giving rides.

I do wonder what’s going to happen the first time an election is overturned for “reasons”
=====================

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s State Election Board on Wednesday took a step toward a possible eventual takeover of elections in the state’s most populous county under a process outlined in the state’s sweeping new voting law that critics argue could open elections up to political interference.

The board voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a bipartisan, three-person review panel to investigate the handling of elections in Fulton County, a Democratic bastion that includes most of the city of Atlanta.

The county has long been a target for Republicans. Their attacks increased after former President Donald Trump baselessly claimed that fraud in the county contributed to his narrow loss in the state. An independent monitorappointed as part of a consent order between the county and the State Election Board found no evidence of fraud or malfeasance.


GOP lawmakers last month asked the state board to appoint the performance review panel, initiating the process that could allow the Republican-controlled state board to replace the county’s board of registration and elections with an administrator it chooses……..

Georgia inches toward possible takeover of Fulton elections

Georgia’s State Election Board has taken a step toward a possible eventual takeover of elections in the state’s most populous county.

apnews.com

I’m coming around to the position that the senate should suspend the filibuster for voting rights, but we should limit it to the most crucial, such as outlawing partisan boards overturning an election, outlawing criminalizing innocuous aid like water and rides, and outlawing partisan gerrymandering. These are too important to protect democracy, and without them, the American experiment may end.

 

[zztop]

was only a matter of time

Texas governor signs new GOP voting restrictions into law

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law an overhaul of the state’s election rules following months of protests by Democrats.

apnews.com

Texas is among at least 18 states that have enacted new voting restrictions since the 2020 election, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.

The laws are part of a national GOP campaign, including in Florida, Georgia and Arizona, to tighten voting laws in the name of security, partly driven by Trump’s false claims that the election was stolen.