Our Lady of Voting Rights is Pissed Off
Our Lady of Voting Rights is so over hearing that women, young and poor people are apathetic--that that’s why so many don’t vote. She hears them crying out: Dude . . . we’re trying!
Are these elections going to be a rerun of the 2000 disaster in democracy?
Our Lady of Voting Rights needs you!
Four years ago we had to deal with police blockades, intimidation, illegal disqualifications, faulty voting machines, confusing ballots, polling place switches, and being asked--illegally--for more than one form of ID.
This year, registration campaigns have reached hundreds of thousands of new voters, but already there are complaints that state officials in Ohio, Florida and elsewhere have been blocking those registrations in defiance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965—once considered the most successful piece of civil rights legislation ever adopted by the U.S. Congress.
As far as overseas voters are concerned . . . Ug! I’ve been trying to help friends and family make sure they get their absentee ballots, but it’s become a full-time job.
The Pentagon has been diligent in its efforts to register military personnel stationed overseas, but civilians are another story. In late September, the agency began restricting international access to the Web site for the Federal Voting Assistance program--the official agency that's supposed to help Americans living abroad register to vote. Consulates have been unhelpful. It's enough to make even the most politically active expatriots consider giving up. Don 't do it! Persevere!
Keep trying to register! Get your absentee ballots in on time. In-person voters: Take plenty of time off November 2nd in case you have to deal with any bullshit. You have the right to vote free from intimidation by cops, election officials, or anyone else. You have the right to bring children into the polling place. Demand a paper ballot. Ask for a provisional ballot if your name is not on the list of voters, or if you're required to provide identification you didn’t bring--then find out from your election official or secretary of state’s office how to follow up and have your vote counted. File a written complaint if you're dissatisfied with the way the election is being run. Ask for another ballot if yours is spoiled or defective. If you have time, sign up as an election protection volunteer. Google search “Voters’ Bill of Rights” and your state or district name to get a state-specific list of your rights.
Here they are for Florida and Ohio.
Overseas voters--try this site: www.overseasvote2004.com. You should be able to register by fax and mail from anywhere in the world. Or this site: www.democratsabroad.com.
All voters can get more info & should be able to register at Rock the Vote.
Here are the remaining voter registration deadlines (overseas voters register in their last state of residence):
Monday October 18: California, South Dakota
Tuesday October 19: Maine
Wednesday October 20: Wisconsin
Friday October 22: Nebraska
Saturday October 23: Alabama, Guam, Illinois
Monday October 25: Vermont
Tuesday October 26: Arkansas
Wednesday October 27: Missouri, Oklahoma
Friday October 29: Kansas, New Mexico
Saturday October 30: Michigan
Monday November 1: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Wyoming
It's the least we can do for Our Lady of Voting Rights. Good luck!
Are these elections going to be a rerun of the 2000 disaster in democracy?
Our Lady of Voting Rights needs you!
Four years ago we had to deal with police blockades, intimidation, illegal disqualifications, faulty voting machines, confusing ballots, polling place switches, and being asked--illegally--for more than one form of ID.
This year, registration campaigns have reached hundreds of thousands of new voters, but already there are complaints that state officials in Ohio, Florida and elsewhere have been blocking those registrations in defiance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965—once considered the most successful piece of civil rights legislation ever adopted by the U.S. Congress.
As far as overseas voters are concerned . . . Ug! I’ve been trying to help friends and family make sure they get their absentee ballots, but it’s become a full-time job.
The Pentagon has been diligent in its efforts to register military personnel stationed overseas, but civilians are another story. In late September, the agency began restricting international access to the Web site for the Federal Voting Assistance program--the official agency that's supposed to help Americans living abroad register to vote. Consulates have been unhelpful. It's enough to make even the most politically active expatriots consider giving up. Don 't do it! Persevere!
Keep trying to register! Get your absentee ballots in on time. In-person voters: Take plenty of time off November 2nd in case you have to deal with any bullshit. You have the right to vote free from intimidation by cops, election officials, or anyone else. You have the right to bring children into the polling place. Demand a paper ballot. Ask for a provisional ballot if your name is not on the list of voters, or if you're required to provide identification you didn’t bring--then find out from your election official or secretary of state’s office how to follow up and have your vote counted. File a written complaint if you're dissatisfied with the way the election is being run. Ask for another ballot if yours is spoiled or defective. If you have time, sign up as an election protection volunteer. Google search “Voters’ Bill of Rights” and your state or district name to get a state-specific list of your rights.
Here they are for Florida and Ohio.
Overseas voters--try this site: www.overseasvote2004.com. You should be able to register by fax and mail from anywhere in the world. Or this site: www.democratsabroad.com.
All voters can get more info & should be able to register at Rock the Vote.
Here are the remaining voter registration deadlines (overseas voters register in their last state of residence):
Monday October 18: California, South Dakota
Tuesday October 19: Maine
Wednesday October 20: Wisconsin
Friday October 22: Nebraska
Saturday October 23: Alabama, Guam, Illinois
Monday October 25: Vermont
Tuesday October 26: Arkansas
Wednesday October 27: Missouri, Oklahoma
Friday October 29: Kansas, New Mexico
Saturday October 30: Michigan
Monday November 1: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Wyoming
It's the least we can do for Our Lady of Voting Rights. Good luck!
posted by Contact at 10:50 AM
1 Comments:
Hi. Don't know about the dates you gave for registration in other states, but here in Tennessee voter registration for the november election has already closed. Last weekend. Otherwise: damn, girl, you got spunk!
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