Can you vote come Nov. 2nd?
Posted : September 22, 2004 at 9:45 am [America/Los_Angeles]
The largest category of those legally disenfranchised consists of almost 5 million former felons who have served prison sentences and been deprived of the right to vote under laws that have roots in the post-Civil War 19th century and were aimed at preventing black Americans from voting.
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“In elections in Baltimore in 2002 and in Georgia last year, black voters were sent fliers saying anyone who hadn’t paid utility bills or had outstanding parking tickets or were behind on their rent would be arrested at polling stations. It happens in every election cycle,” she said.Minority voters may be deterred from voting simply by election officials demanding to see drivers’ licenses before handing them a ballot, according to Spencer Overton, who teaches law at George Washington University. The federal government does not require people to produce a photo identification unless they are first-time voters who registered by mail.
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This thing keeps getting uglier by the minute. Please tell me this ain’t happening this time around as well!!!
- Anand
Category: United (or not) State of American Politics 2004