Friday, February 1, 2013

Rigging the Election System : A GOP Voter Suppression Tactic Up for Grabs in February

The Supreme Court agreed to hear a conservative challenge to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and will commence hearing arguments regarding  Article 5 in February, 2013.


Section 5 applies to 9 states: Texas, South Carolina, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia and Alaska – and currently to parts of Florida, California, New York North Carolina, South Dakota, Michigan and New Hampshire.


So, why is preserving section 5 of the Voting Rights Act critical towards protecting your right to vote in future elections?


Voter suppression played a key role in the 2012 election.  Section 5 compels parts or all of sixteen states with a history of racial discrimination in voting to clear election-related changes with the federal government.”


More Democrats voted in the 2012 General  Election than Republicans.  So, why did numerous   extremist Tea Partied state elected officials and   all but four, Tea Partied Republican House Representatives up for reelection in 2012 manage to maintain their seats in the House?  The answer can be summed up in one word - redistricting!


Redistricting  is the “adjustment of boundaries of election districts within a jurisdiction that maybe necessary after each decennial US Census because of population changes. This applies to the US House of Representatives, state legislatures, community college districts, K-12 school districts, county boards of education and supervisors, city councils water district boards, hospital district boards and board of other types of special districts. “ (Political Redistricting, Demographic Research Inc.)


The primary purpose of redistricting is to insure that election districts have equal population sizes and that other legal requirements are met, but


…the problem is that the drawing of electoral districts is in the hands of the political authorities who are in power at the time.  Because of low Democratic voter  turnout in the 2010 Midterm ElectionsTea Partied Republicans obtained that power just in time for the 2010 Census! 


According to an article at publicmapping.org, redistricting is “among the least transparent processes  in democratic governance”.  All too often, “redistricting authorities maintain their power by obstructing public participation in the redistricting process.”  Obstruction results  in districts that “embody the goals of politicians to the detriment of the representational  interests of communities and the public at large.” 


Here's a recent example of Tea Partied Republican redistricting trickery. Virginia Republican legislators snuck  in an  "unannounced legislation" to redraw district lines "to maximize the number of safe GOP seats"  on a vote of 20 to 19 in the absence of a Democratic lawmaker and civil rights leader who was in Washington to attend the President's Inauguration!


So, what can we learn from the redistricting game?
  1. Spread the word and raise your voice when redistricting trickery like what recently took place in Virginia arises in your state.
  2. Be on the lookout for notices and attend public redistricting meetings affecting your state, county, or other locality via the internet, local newspapers and the like, 
  3. Always participate in the Census, and
  4. Take action…

CONTACT VIRGINIA LEGISLATORS AT:
Senate of Virginia: Member ... you and your locality to the appropriate state and federally elected officials with theircontact information. ...

This site provides contact information for ... The League of Women Voters of Virginia's Legislative Directory contains a complete list of Senators and Delegates ...


SIGN PETITIONS AT:


Petition Background. The Voting Rights Act is being contested in the United States Supreme Court. The US Supreme Court agreed to hear the case.


Fix Our Elections Now
Sign The Petition To Make Voting Easier And More Secure.

Create Your Petition Now!

SPREAD THE WORD!

SOURCES:
Voting Rights Act: The State of Section 5

Why We Still Need Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act

Virginia Redistricting 2013: State GOP Rams Bill Through Senate In Absence of Democratic Senator Henry Marsh

Washington, D.C. - infoZine - Scripps Howard Foundation Wire - Citizens and amateur demographers will soon have a way to get involved in a political process ...


Home; Voter Turnout. Main; Data Tables. 2012 Primary; 2010 General; 2008 General; 2008 Primary; 2006 General; 2004 General; 2004 Primary; 2002 General; 2000 General ...http://elections.gmu.edu/Redistricting.html 


Demographic analyses including plan development and maps http://www.demographers.com 


"It is not easy to make the redistricting process understandable -- and near-miraculous to be able to do so in a highly entertaining way. But that is just what The ...http://redistrictinggame.org 






3 comments:

  1. These are essentially short term loans that do offer you meet your fiscal difficulties inside a preferred precise time period.
    Thinking about time limitations these loans are especially designed above
    an obligation free of charge platform. As such, these are kept
    totally absolutely free from credential checksums. Troubles such as defaults, arrears,
    bankruptcy, CCJs and even IVAs are not considered here. Additional,
    there are also no collaterals linked with these loans.

    There is minimal paper perform expected on the portion of borrower.
    There are also no hidden or added documentation or faxing needed right
    here. Applying for these loans is also highly practical.
    Individuals simply require filling an internet form and as soon as
    this gets approved cash is received inside 24 hours time
    frame. These loans are commonly supplied beneath convenient terms and conditions.
    The general basic applicant criteria here is that they must be a
    UK resident and of 18 years of age.
    My webpage :: inforaise.net

    ReplyDelete
  2. These are basically short term loans that do present you meet your fiscal difficulties
    inside a desired certain time period. Taking into consideration time limitations these loans are specifically made above an obligation cost-free
    platform. As such, these are kept completely free of charge from credential checksums.
    Matters such as defaults, arrears, bankruptcy, CCJs and even IVAs
    are not thought to be right here. Additional, there are also no collaterals
    associated with these loans. There is minimal paper work needed on the portion of borrower.
    There are also no hidden or additional documentation or faxing necessary right here.
    Applying for these loans is also exceptionally practical.
    People today simply need filling an internet type and when this gets approved money is received inside 24 hours time frame.
    These loans are normally offered under convenient terms and
    circumstances. The general simple applicant criteria here is that they need to be a UK resident
    and of 18 years of age.
    Feel free to surf my webpage : click here

    ReplyDelete
  3. These are essentially brief term loans that do supply
    you meet your fiscal issues inside a preferred distinct time period.

    Considering time limitations these loans are specifically developed above an obligation cost-free platform.
    As such, these are kept completely no cost from credential checksums.

    Concerns such as defaults, arrears, bankruptcy, CCJs and even IVAs are not deemed here.
    Additional, there are also no collaterals connected with these
    loans. There is minimal paper perform necessary on the
    aspect of borrower. There are also no hidden or further
    documentation or faxing expected right here.

    Applying for these loans is also rather hassle-free.
    Men and women basically demand filling an on the internet form and
    once this gets approved cash is received inside 24 hours time frame.

    These loans are in general provided beneath practical terms and situations.
    The general fundamental applicant criteria right here is that
    they should really be a UK resident and of 18
    years of age.
    Also see my web site :: http://allabouttaylorstevenson.com/?q=node/27348

    ReplyDelete