"Suppressing" the vote

[LaraK]

If it just said the date changed, I see your point. I grant you that most people know it's on Tuesday, though citizens have been ignorant of more "common knowledge" than this before. But to my knowledge (if these are the...Virginia? or is it Florida? flyers that have been in the news), the flyers are saying that because of unusually high voter turnout, they've had to make this change in order to ensure that everyone gets a chance to vote - so Republicans vote on the 4th, and Democrats vote on the 5th. I agree that the average (and above average) person should be able to see through this and check for themselves. But...we don't have some sort of national intelligence test in order to vote - whether you agree with that or not it's still not okay for flyers to be going around that are essentially attempting to suppress votes. Voter suppression is never okay. Voter fraud is never okay, either. And I think that if it were the other way around (Dems vote on the 4th, Republicans vote on the 5th), I'd still think it was wrong, and I think a lot of Republicans would also. Even foolish people get to vote here.

Yeah, I know you don't have to be smart to vote, but shouldn't you at least know who you are voting for and when to vote? I personally (and I know this isn't popular) think that the voter should have to write in their candidate. Not with spelling checks and things, but so that you can't pull the "party line". If you don't even know someone's name, you shouldn't vote for them. Not just at the top of the ticket, but on down the line.

I understand the arguments against, and I don't agree with Jim Crow, but at the same time, I think the US Electorate has fallen down in it's responsibility to make INFORMED decisions...not follow behind like sheep (on both sides of the aisle)

 

[Suzie Zoo]

But the flyers aren't saying the election date was changed for everyone. They are saying Republicans vote on the 4th, Democrats vote on the 5th. The flyers also contain the official seal of the state election board, that was grabbed from their website.

I was afraid of that

*sigh*

 

[LaraK]

What does the language have to do with it? Many older Mexican-Americans here speak only Spanish. Schools were segregated. White, Black and Hispanic. English was not taught or spoken in the Hispanic schools years ago. If you are born here, you are a citizen, and have a right to vote. No civic exam required for native born Americans, they are citizens. There is no law requiring you to speak English, there is no official national language in the US.

First, I think that was a HUGE disservice. Second, the gentleman did not look that old...I probably made an assumption when watching. If he was born here, I would be wrong in that assumption. However, if the media was trying to pull at my heartstrings and make me feel outrage over "voter suppression", they picked the wrong person to interview since many people probably made the same assumption I did.

 

[Disneynut25]

Well.... I'll be the voice of dissent. Shocking

I think it's a crappy thing to do. It bothers me that people are more concerned with their candidate winning than they are with the importance of the freedom to vote. I'd rather have my candidate lose than keep people from voting.

Yes, people should know when to vote. But duping someone into thinking otherwise leaves a bad taste in my mouth. (Not that I think that anyone here was condoning it!)

 

[wehavesix]

This is just a despicable thing to do. I hope they find the source and prosecute them.

 

[Disneyadore]

It is possible to see a brochure that looks real and believe what is on it. I would hope that they would be concerned that it is not correct but if you have never voted before you might be confused.

The qualifications for voting are to be of legal age and to be registered. You do not have to prove that you studied the positions of each candidate.

I think this is the FLYER

 

[Charade]

But the flyers aren't saying the election date was changed for everyone. They are saying Republicans vote on the 4th, Democrats vote on the 5th. The flyers also contain the official seal of the state election board, that was grabbed from their website.

Granted, the vast majority of people know better. But, it does not mean that this should be treated as a prank. It should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I'm sure you'd all be up in arms if the parties on the flyer were reversed.

I agree. It's a rotten thing to do because we know some people will fall for it.

 

[Tink888]

I agree that people SHOULD know when to vote. Also agree that those types of pranks are really crappy. No tricks, no schemes - let the people vote and let the chips (or votes) fall where they may and then let's ALL get behind WHOEVER wins and get our country cleaned up.

 

[Chuck S]

I agree. It's a rotten thing to do because we know some people will fall for it.

Absolutely, no matter which party the flyer would say to vote on Nov. 5, some folks would fall for it. Interferring with anyones vote, whether it be Reps. or Dems. is just wrong. No matter which candidate wins, they need to legitimately win the vote, not win by voter fraud.

 

[jodifla]

This could also be a problem for older voters, who may well know dang well which party they want to vote for, but are struggling to keep up with all the changes in voting these days, like early voting, changes in ID rules, etc.

 

[MrsPete]

I agree that it's an awful thing to do . . . but only an idiot would fall for it.

Anyone who leaves the house on Tuesday will see people wearing those "I voted" stickers on their shirts, the radio and TV news will be talking about the election all day long, and it's common small talk to say things like, "I had to wait 40 minutes to get into the polls this morning before work -- how about you?" I don't see how this could be an effective method of keeping people from the polls.

 

[Guy Incognito]

I agree that it's an awful thing to do . . . but only an idiot would fall for it.

Anyone who leaves the house on Tuesday will see people wearing those "I voted" stickers on their shirts, the radio and TV news will be talking about the election all day long, and it's common small talk to say things like, "I had to wait 40 minutes to get into the polls this morning before work -- how about you?" I don't see how this could be an effective method of keeping people from the polls.

the "beauty" of this tactic is, it doesn't have to fool a lot of people, just enough to make the difference..... look at FL in 2000 for how close the vote totals can be.... only around 500-600 vote difference between Bush and Gore.... while not every area has an election that close, you never know when it will be so....


that being said, it's incredibly pathetic that people look to prevent eligible voters from exercising their rights and making their voices heard.

 

[Goofyluver]

This was a nasty thing to do...I don't care which political party you belong to or which party the "prank" was directed towards.

Many people trust in their government. The flier proclaims itself to be from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Should a person educate themselves on when and where to vote? Absolutely.

But, someone could see this flier and think it is official. If it takes one vote away...it's a travesty.

 

[NMAmy]

What does the language have to do with it? Many older Mexican-Americans here speak only Spanish. Schools were segregated. White, Black and Hispanic. English was not taught or spoken in the Hispanic schools years ago. If you are born here, you are a citizen, and have a right to vote. No civic exam required for native born Americans, they are citizens. There is no law requiring you to speak English, there is no official national language in the US.

Exactly. I used to live near the Navajo reservation. Many of the older people who live there speak little or no English--there's no need as they rarely leave the reservation and when they do, they take younger family members to translate. That doesn't mean they aren't informed on the issues or don't deserve to vote.

 

[mfd25wife]

I agree. It's a rotten thing to do because we know some people will fall for it.

It was announced on the radio on a major station in Memphis, TN that Rep's vote Tues, Dem's vote Wed. They didn't give the dates, just the days. Since it was on the radio (and one that always plays jokes on people), I didn't think anyone would believe it. I did hear the TV station announcing last night that it was incorrect information. I'm glad they did.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Yes, but as an old debator, I should be more careful with my points, I just negated the majority of my argument.

That's ok honey..I still you.

 

[monsterkitty]

I agree that it's an awful thing to do . . . but only an idiot would fall for it.

Anyone who leaves the house on Tuesday will see people wearing those "I voted" stickers on their shirts, the radio and TV news will be talking about the election all day long, and it's common small talk to say things like, "I had to wait 40 minutes to get into the polls this morning before work -- how about you?" I don't see how this could be an effective method of keeping people from the polls.

I can see it keeping the elderly from voting on Tuesday.

Like a PP said, it only takes a few to make a difference.

 

[rie'smom]

I can see it keeping the elderly from voting on Tuesday.

Like a PP said, it only takes a few to make a difference.

The elderly are smarter than you think. I work with many of them as a volunteer. If they saw something stating the election day was changed, they'd give whoever gave them the handout a piece of their mind AND they'd tell them that this date is set nationwide.