Great column and lots to parse. Regarding the voter suppression/citizenship efforts, I wonder how many Republicans get locked out of voting? And how many candidates lose to a a Democrat instead?
Excellent, Barry! I especially appreciate your comments regarding the farm bill. Yes, if it’s delayed until after November, it’s too late for them to express their dissatisfaction at the polls!
I am just a normal lifelong Iowan and wonder HTH I would provide documentation that I am a U.S. citizen, should I be required to do so in order to vote. Dig up my birth certificate (wherever that might be)?
These Republican voter suppression efforts are endless. Thank you, Barry.
As is the case for most people, Jim. You can get a duplicate copy for a fee from the state, usually, but (a) many people don’t know that; (b) many people don’t know where the point of contact is to do that; (c) they may not have the money to submit a request for a duplicate which isn’t free, and when it comes to voting they should not have to pay anything; and (e) often won’t have time for the request process to be completed before Election Day arrives. Which, of course is the whole idea.
As was demonstrated in the poll tax and literacy test cases that moved through the courts a couple of generations ago - voting is a constitutional right of every citizen, subject to no other requirements.
If the authority has probable cause to believe a voting violation is occurring, action can be taken to prosecute, but additional, blanket requirements beyond being a citizen are not allowed.
Not that the current crowd cares much what the constitution says. They don’t. They care about suppressing the vote, especially among populations not likely to be voting heavily Republican.
We need to remember that Iowa’s delegation is right in the middle of this effort to suppress votes part and parcel with the rest of their party.
Great column and lots to parse. Regarding the voter suppression/citizenship efforts, I wonder how many Republicans get locked out of voting? And how many candidates lose to a a Democrat instead?
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Excellent, Barry! I especially appreciate your comments regarding the farm bill. Yes, if it’s delayed until after November, it’s too late for them to express their dissatisfaction at the polls!
Thanks, Cheryl.
And Iowa’s delegation has been mighty quiet about that, haven’t they?
I am just a normal lifelong Iowan and wonder HTH I would provide documentation that I am a U.S. citizen, should I be required to do so in order to vote. Dig up my birth certificate (wherever that might be)?
These Republican voter suppression efforts are endless. Thank you, Barry.
As is the case for most people, Jim. You can get a duplicate copy for a fee from the state, usually, but (a) many people don’t know that; (b) many people don’t know where the point of contact is to do that; (c) they may not have the money to submit a request for a duplicate which isn’t free, and when it comes to voting they should not have to pay anything; and (e) often won’t have time for the request process to be completed before Election Day arrives. Which, of course is the whole idea.
As was demonstrated in the poll tax and literacy test cases that moved through the courts a couple of generations ago - voting is a constitutional right of every citizen, subject to no other requirements.
If the authority has probable cause to believe a voting violation is occurring, action can be taken to prosecute, but additional, blanket requirements beyond being a citizen are not allowed.
Not that the current crowd cares much what the constitution says. They don’t. They care about suppressing the vote, especially among populations not likely to be voting heavily Republican.
We need to remember that Iowa’s delegation is right in the middle of this effort to suppress votes part and parcel with the rest of their party.
And such violations are exceedingly rare.