Ohio Republican admits voter suppression targets African Americans

Columbus : OH : USA | Aug 20, 2012 at 10:20 PM PDT

By itobin53

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Turzai:Voter ID will allow Romney to win

On Monday, Ohio election board Republican Doug Preisse admitted that the goal of voter ID laws are to stop African Americans from voting.

Preisse told the Columbus Dispatch in an email: “I guess I really actually feel we shouldn’t contort the voting process to accommodate the urban — read African-American — voter-turnout machine.” He also called, "Claims of unfairness by Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern and others 'Bullshit.' Quote me!,” according to the Ohio Dispatch report.

A horrible picture is emerging all over America. And as it comes into focus, as it has in the past few weeks, it is one of hate, division and racism. It is also the greatest assault on free elections and democracy witnessed in generations.

Despite what some believe, it is now virtually impossible to hide the deep distain of Republicans for African Americans. But their efforts to "fix" the next election through voter suppression does not end with black voters. Voter ID laws, all implemented in Republican-controlled state legislatures, have been targeting the poor, elderly, Hispanic, and other non-white voting groups. If you do not believe that is evidence of racism and discrimination, you need a dictionary.

Some judges have halted voter ID laws, but others, particularly Republican appointees, have upheld these laws which will stop millions of Americans from voting.

Voter suppression has become an epidemic ahead of the 2012 elections.

In Florida, the Polk Ledger reported that "a former state GOP chairman… claims that the party tried to suppress black voters."

In a court deposition in July, former Florida GOP Chair Jim Greer said he was "concerned about what people knew about a secret arrangement he made to get a share of party donations," which included stopping black voters from voting, the Ledger report added.

In Ohio, early voting has been the target of Republican election officials. First, early voting hours were extended only in Republican counties. Then under public pressure, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted made early voting hours uniform, but limited them to weekdays only, effectively preventing traditional Sunday voting by African American church-goers.

In Florida, Republican Governor Rick Scott signed voter ID restrictions into law, then began to purge voting rolls, targeting Hispanic voters. Cuts in early voting also took aim at voting groups that gave President Obama Florida's 27 electoral votes in 2008. The federal Department of Justice ordered Governor Scott to stop because the efforts were discriminatory. But Scott has continued his push to stop more than 180,000 Americans from voting in Florida.

While some Republicans claim the goal is to stop fraud by people impersonating registered voters, others have admitted it's really all about winning elections for Republican candidates by cheating because there is no evidence to support claims that voting fraud is a problem.

Pennsylvania House Leader, Republican Mike Turzai admitted the true object behind the new voter ID laws. In a now-famous video, Turzai said strict new voting laws would help Republicans "win the state," in the 2012 elections.

That goal is best achieved by blocking votes by as many Americans as possible who might cast a vote for a Democrat.

In the past 30 years, there have not been so many obvious efforts to stop Americans from voting. This is what democracy has been reduced to in the United States of America in 2012.

When new voter ID laws threaten to stop 5 million Americans from voting, it is difficult to call it democracy anymore.

If you like to write about U.S. politics and Campaign 2012, enter "The American Pundit" competition. Allvoices is awarding four $250 prizes each month between now and November. These monthly winners earn eligibility for the $5,000 grand prize, to be awarded after the November election.

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Pennsylvania House Leader, Republican Mike Turzai, admitted the true object behind new voter ID laws was to allow Romney to win.

itobin53 is based in Tampa, Florida, United States of America, and is an Anchor for Allvoices.

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Post a Comment Comments: 20

Posted By

Herbert Dyer, Jr. | 9 months ago

Excellent report.

This has been self-evident to black people from the start. I especially like your phrase "deep disdain" for black people. Republicans have determined that the only way they can win is by cheating. But it's important to note that if suppression fails, they will resort to any and every other means available, or not available. As we learned in Florida in 2000 and then in Ohio in 2004, it doesn't really matter who votes or does not vote. What matters is who counts the votes.

This should be required reading for our I.D.-loving friends on this site.
But something tells me that even with all the facts you've garnered here, it'll make no difference to those guys. "Deep disdain," indeed.
Thanks.

Reply By

agb100 | 9 months ago

CUT AND PASTE THIS LINK INTO YOUR BROWSER BAR:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GqMVxeZhflI

AND WHAT YOU SEE IN THE VIDEO IS EXACTLY WHAT THE DEMOCRATS WANT.
WHY? TO END DEMOCRACY AND A FAIR ELECTION PROCESS.
I AM ONLY THE MESSENGER, THE MESSAGE IS IN THE VIDEO, AND WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR FUTURE AMERICA IS IN YOUR HANDS.

BECAUSE IF THIS PICTURE CONTINUES THERE WILL BE NO AMERICA.

AMERICA WILL BECOME A NATION OF LOSERS, HANDS OUT PROCASTINATORS, THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATORS, THE USELESS AND THE HOPELESS.

WHAT YOU GOT IS: DOPE AND CHANGE.

ALSO....

Rampant Voter Fraud in Virginia?

Share This Story

By Dwight L. Schwab Jr.

National Law Enforcement Officials Virginia

Although I want you to respect your national law enforcement officials Virginia, this may be one time to have a bit of skepticism.

Don't listen too closely to Eric Holder, the ultra-partisan U.S. Attorney General. If you pay too much attention to his ideological twist on voter fraud, you may find yourself thinking it's a Republican plot to prevent Americans from voting.
Voter Fraud Scandal in Virginia
voter fraud democrat

If the most recent voter fraud scandal in Virginia is any indicator of what could be a sample of flagrant lawbreaking throughout the U.S., the electorate is in big trouble.

LINK:

http://newsblaze.com/story/20120728141030wito.nb/topstory.html

Posted By

Dava Castillo | 9 months ago

Thanks for the report itobin.

The elderly and disabled are also disproportionaly affected by voted ID laws. It's going to take a Supreme Court decision to disallow these kinds of laws in the states, which I believe will eventually happen.

Posted By

CarlGottsteinJr | 9 months ago

More Racism perpetuated by the LEFT. They drag out this tired Hate whitey drivel every year the whole while crying racism. Its so destructive to the process, and they know it. These people don't care about US. They care about power. They do nothing but pick one pocket our treasury and bribe poor folks with hand outs. This is a party of destruction and deception. Democrats are a disaster.

Reply By

veggiebabe | 9 months ago

@CarlGottsteinJr is nothing more than a Repuke talking head!!!! Like Mitt Wronley, he tries to deflet attention form the real issues here, but, dunderhead, IT ISN'T WORKING! Go back to Mitwit and tell him you failed! The repukes admit racism, they are not ashamed of it, and you, are a mess, a mindless wonder, and, your Repuking Party will go down in November no matter how much they cheat and lie, so get over it and get over yourself!

Reply By

rdowens48 | 9 months ago

CarlGottSTEIN: Racism? From the Left? How short is your memory? Think WWII. The left wing intellectuals were not the people who persecuted your people. They, the intellectuals jewish and otherwise, were also persecuted. The right was the party of racism and fascism during WWII and it still is today. Good god I can't believe the shit I read on this site.
And as far as blacks go, the democratic party is the party for the blacks and all minorities because the Republicans do not want them to vote. Jim Crowe laws? Remember?

Posted By

CarlGottsteinJr | 9 months ago

You must think Black folks are retarded.

Every one has ID.

Reply By

Hardy Wright | 8 months ago

I'll say this; it sure does make one wonder... old, disabled, young, black, any gender... they claim advocacy by painting them as feeble, poor, and needy... basically unable to compete without the government to help. They give them a pep talk, and then convince them that they can't possibly be in the game unless they "level the playing field", which means, in some cases, blatant racial discrimination. Anything with racial quotas is racially discriminatory because it includes AND excludes individuals based solely on their race.

Be honest; if it's wrong for any race, it's wrong for all races. You want equality, that's equality. You can't just change the meaning of words, merely because they don't jive with your apparently twisted reality. It's like answering a difficult question by closing your eyes, stuffing your thumbs in your ears, waving your fingers about and screaming "Na na na na na na na na na na...". You can't just make the world go away.

[SARCASM]Oh how on God's green earth will they EVER find a way to get something to identify themselves just to bow to the white man's tyranny... It's got to be a conspiracy, I tell you![/SARCASM]

This article is really nothing but ideological fluff. When you put words in somebody's mouth to make your point, based on personal bias... really? How is that news?

Posted By

CarolynMcGraw | 9 months ago

Itobin, thank you for reporting on the voter ID issue. It is an important topic the ramifications of which are underestimated.

Reply By

agb100 | 9 months ago

VOTER ID APPLIES TO BOTH OBAMA AND ROMNEY VOTERS. NO ONE HAS AN ADVANTAGE.

LACK OF VOTER ID GIVES ONE AN ADVANTAGE, VIOLATING THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE OF THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

SEE IT IN ACTION HERE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GqMVxeZhflI

AND MY COMMENTS HERE:
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/12870096-voter-fraud

Posted By

Hardy Wright | 9 months ago

'On Monday, Ohio election board Republican Doug Preisse admitted that the goal of voter ID laws are to stop African Americans from voting."

Sorry, but this is an absolute lie. He never said anything of the sort; you're putting the words in his mouth. It will of course aid Romney, because it keeps the voting legal... one vote to one CITIZEN, LEGALLY REGISTERED to vote.

They've already questioned 4000 registered voters in Colorado, who used documents like driver's licenses obtained with a green card, to register to vote in our elections, so don't tell me it doesn't happen.

Reply By

rdowens48 | 9 months ago

Where is your proof of voter fraud. The numbers I have heard are in the single digits throughout the country...and they were not even proven fraudulent.

Reply By

Hardy Wright | 8 months ago

This is spun pretty heavily left, but I think you'll trust the source...http://thehuffingtonriposte.blogspot.com/2012/09/30000-dead-people-can-vote-in-north.html

While in this case, no fraud has been shown, the potential is huge... considering Obama won that state last time by about 14,000 votes.

In Colorado, here's a Denver Post story about what I referred to above.
http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_21332442/colorados-secretary-state-asks-4-000-prove-voter

The idea is to close the gate before the bull gets out, right?

Reply By

BarbaraDietrich | 9 months ago

Because they were not frauds, they did not know because of change of address had to be changed or something as silly as that. It was not voter fraud, you are right. Oh I do know one voted early and he died. His son got that cleared up. It is going to be tough.

Posted By

Hardy Wright | 9 months ago

"Despite what some believe, it is now virtually impossible to hide the deep distain of Republicans for African Americans. But their efforts to "fix" the next election through voter suppression does not end with black voters. Voter ID laws, all implemented in Republican-controlled state legislatures, have been targeting the poor, elderly, Hispanic, and other non-white voting groups. If you do not believe that is evidence of racism and discrimination, you need a dictionary."

I'm sorry that nobody but rich white people actually obtain and carry IDs. That's what you're saying...

"...targeting the poor, elderly, Hispanic, and other non-white voting groups."

Yep... the poor never receive food stamps because it requires an ID. Elderly people never receive welfare, social security or medicare/medicaid, because they require an ID. Hispanics never receive welfare, food stamps, drive a car, or open checking accounts... it requires an ID.

Voting is not a right if you are not a citizen, and legally entitled to vote. If voting was as important as receiving entitlements, they'd have all the identification they need. Merely because it's our right, it doesn't mean it requires no effort on the part of the citizen.

If you care about your rights, get a damn ID. If You don't make the effort you don't care enough. If you don't care enough, it's your problem. We can't help you...

Reply By

rdowens48 | 9 months ago

“It would seem as if the rulers of our time sought only to use men in order to make things great; I wish that they would try a little more to make great men; that they would set less value on the work and more upon the workman; that they would never forget that a nation cannot long remain strong when every man belonging to it is individually weak; and that no form or combination of social polity has yet been devised to make an energetic people out of a community of pusillanimous and enfeebled citizens.”
― Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, Volume 2

Posted By

llspier | 9 months ago

"A horrible picture is emerging all over America. And as it comes into focus, as it has in the past few weeks, it is one of hate, division and racism. It is also the greatest assault on free elections and democracy witnessed in generations."

Nothing wrong with the paragraph, except that it is 100% false. It targets the wrong side in this issue. No one is attempting to stop African-Americans from voting-unless they are not citizens. In that case, it also attempts to stop every other ILLEGAL voter who disenfranchises a legal voter by canceling out their ballot. There is no more egregious assault on 'democracy' than either encouraging illegal voting or attempting to incite fear and manufactured hostility on the part of minorities for political purposes-in this case to continue to maintain a 'goosey-loosey' voting system with plenty of opportunity for fraud. That truly does convey a picture of hate, division and racism. Further, you have turned the politician in question's words completely inside out in order to change the meaning entirely. Every honest study shows the vast majority (well over 95%) of LEGAL voters have a picture ID-and the Left darned well knows that. I'll call dog-whistle on this one. If this writer intends to continue to base his work on untruths, I dont see much future for him. Research your facts, man! As Churchill famously said, "You are entitled to your own opinion but you are NOT entitled to your own facts!" (Aside: who the heck rates these articles for credibility? Nancy Pelosi?)

Reply By

HarmonyPeace | 8 months ago

Every honest study shows the vast majority (well over 95%) of LEGAL voters have a picture ID-and the Left darned well knows that".

Precisely. But the remaining 5% ALSO have a right to vote. In my opinion, not allowing them to do so, by whatever means, is akin to subjecting an entire family to house arrest because you have reason to believe one of them might want to commit (or may have committed) a crime. You're not throwing them in jail, but you'll be unfairly restricting their liberty regardless. It may be a way to stop the crime, but does the end justify the means?

It is not the illegals/fraudsters these people are trying to protect, and the sudden one-party-led concerted effort in an election year gives reason to wonder if it's really them they're trying to stop (Changing the early voting hours, for example. How does that prevent "fraud"?).

Reply By

Hardy Wright | 8 months ago

The 5% you speak of can obtain a picture ID; ANYONE can obtain a picture ID. It's not like they have to take a test, or do anything other than make an honest effort.

Posted By

itobin53 | 9 months ago

“I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. As a result of the war, corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands, and the Republic is destroyed. I feel at this moment more anxiety for the safety of my country than ever before, even in the midst of war.”

Abraham Lincoln - In a letter written to William Elkin

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