Tarheel State Suppresses Voter's Rights

All over this country Republican fueled garble has been demanding the enactment of legislation altering voting and voter registration laws. This debate has been running rampant since record voter turnout resulted in Senator Barack Obama, defeating Senator John McCain in the 2008 race for the Presidency. Although the voice of America was heard on Election Day 2008, Republicans and their corporate financial backers have continuously demonstrated open resistance to the will of the people.

This resistance was observed throughout President Obama’s first term, as the GOP made every effort to stymie the administration and render the 44^th President a lame duck. Sadly this practice continues even to the disadvantage of the well-being of the people and the future of this democracy we call the United States of America.

On Monday August 12, 2013 the eyes of America were sadly focused on Raleigh, North Carolina. Governor Pat McCrory (R) signed into law what has been described as the most massive voter suppression legislation since the days of Jim Crow.  

Gov. McCrory ratifies nation's worst voter suppression bill
(thinkprogress.com)

The newly ratified law will require voters to present government issued identification to cast a ballot and will reduce early voting days by a week.  The elimination of early voting activities is believed to have a direct negative impact on students, minorities and low income voters.  Students, low-income voters and racial minorities historically vote for Democrats. Needless to say, McCrory, and the lawmakers behind this bill, are Republicans.

The law additionally, eliminates same-day voter registration and makes it easier for “poll watchers” to challenge the validity of eligible voters. “Poll Watchers,” sounds vaguely like the Jim Crow South. I have visions of Bull Connor “challenging” Negro voters in the 50’s and 60’s.

NC Protesters demonstrate resistance to voter suppression legislation
(AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Finally this law expands the influence of unregulated corporate money in state elections.  This one element places in jeopardy the very democracy every American is guaranteed by our constitution.  

For too long, American politics have been tainted by the influence of corporate sponsors, special interest groups and lobbyist.  And now Governor McCrory is allowing greater influence through unlimited corporate campaign dollars. We should be minimizing the influences of these entities. When have these self-serving organizations ever acted in the best interest of the American people?  Every citizen should question whether our elected officials are working for our benefit or the benefit of corporate sponsors.

Two lawsuits were filed by the state’s branch of the NAACP and the Advancement Project immediately following the governor’s ratification of the bill into law. They challenge the law as being racially discriminatory under Section 2 of the Voter’s Rights Act. A third lawsuit challenging the voter ID provision was filed the following day.

An additional lawsuit has been brought by the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and the ACLU on behalf of the League of Women Voters, Common Cause and the A. Philip Randolph Institute. This suit also alleges the elimination of same-day registration, the cuts to early voting and the ban on out-of-precinct provisional ballots violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Although I have tried extensively, I can't find any logical reasoning behind the enactment of these procedures.  All I can come up with is an organized effort to manipulate and make more difficult the voting process.

According to billmoyer.com, these changes will potentially “make North Carolina the new Florida when it comes to long lines and voting chaos.” Is that what North Carolinians want?  To be the laughing stock of the country, to be mocked at every turn as Florida has been since the elections of 2000 and 2004?

I'm not hatin, I'm jus sayin...