Katrina Impacts Elections

[Accountable]

I hadn't thought of this. The N.O. citizens are scattered to the four winds. It would be nearly impossible to contact them all & verify their voting status.



NEW YORK (AP) -- The Department of Justice should postpone upcoming elections in New Orleans until displaced voters have been located, NAACP officials said Saturday.

"We're worried about the voting rights of our people in New Orleans who are not, for the most part, in New Orleans," said Bruce S. Gordon, NAACP president. "People should still have a say in what happens in the communities that were ravaged by Katrina." CONTINUES

[Adam Zapple]

That is a big topic around here. The fact is that all the displaced people have to do is use an absentee ballot. Instead, the local politicians, many fearing they will be booted out of office, are trying to allow anyone, anywhere to register without proof of Louisiana residency or any kind of ID. It is an absolute fiasco. The politicians are trying to circumvent state election laws to extend their time in office by delaying the elections, make a mockery of the voter registration process, and take what ever actions necessary to protect their hides. Voter turnout in N.O. is usually in the 30% range anyway. Those that want to vote can easily apply for an absentee ballot just like many military families from that area do each election cycle. The "can't find the voter" line is a red herring.

[Accountable]

Adam Zapple wrote: That is a big topic around here. The fact is that all the displaced people have to do is use an absentee ballot. Instead, the local politicians, many fearing they will be booted out of office, are trying to allow anyone, anywhere to register without proof of Louisiana residency or any kind of ID. It is an absolute fiasco. The politicians are trying to circumvent state election laws to extend their time in office by delaying the elections, make a mockery of the voter registration process, and take what ever actions necessary to protect their hides. Voter turnout in N.O. is usually in the 30% range anyway. Those that want to vote can easily apply for an absentee ballot just like many military families from that area do each election cycle. The "can't find the voter" line is a red herring.
I don't know where you are. Though I'm sure you said somewhere I can't remember. Here in San Antonio, we're pretty much clueless how many N.O. evacuees are still here. Many evacuees have never lived outside of N.O. and may be ignorant of the absentee voting process, even if they've heard the term.



The previous voter turnout is irrelevant. The gov't has an obligation to make sure citizens are afforded every opportunity to vote - 100%, regardless of expected turnout. The evacuation may very well have awakened some people to the importance of choosing good leaders.

[Adam Zapple]

They have the opportunity to vote - absentee. The government doesn't have the responsibility to gaurantee that they vote only that they have a fair and equitable opportunity to do so if they wish. They do. Military personnel that wish to vote, as I did when I was in the service, must request an absentee ballot. The government never hunted me down, put a pen in my hand, and coerced me into voting. I had an opportunity, it was up to me to take advantage of it. P.S. I am in northwest Louisiana.

[Accountable]

Adam Zapple wrote: They have the opportunity to vote - absentee. The government doesn't have the responsibility to gaurantee that they vote only that they have a fair and equitable opportunity to do so if they wish. They do. Military personnel that wish to vote, as I did when I was in the service, must request an absentee ballot. The government never hunted me down, put a pen in my hand, and coerced me into voting. I had an opportunity, it was up to me to take advantage of it. P.S. I am in northwest Louisiana.
I'm originally from Many, 90 miles south of Shreveport. Howdy neighbor.



If you recall, when we were in the service we had people whose job it was to make sure we knew how to vote absentee. My point you apparently missed was that these people (probably) don't know how to go about absentee voting. Hell, I'll bet many don't even think they are still eligible to vote there.



Come to think of it, I don't know if they're still eligible. The military kept us exempt from many of the residency rules & such. The people that have kids in schools may have established residency. This is getting more complex as I type! :-3

[Adam Zapple]

Accountable wrote: I'm originally from Many, 90 miles south of Shreveport. Howdy neighbor.



If you recall, when we were in the service we had people whose job it was to make sure we knew how to vote absentee. My point you apparently missed was that these people (probably) don't know how to go about absentee voting. Hell, I'll bet many don't even think they are still eligible to vote there.



Come to think of it, I don't know if they're still eligible. The military kept us exempt from many of the residency rules & such. The people that have kids in schools may have established residency. This is getting more complex as I type! :-3


Hey, I'm in Shreveport. I understand your point about people not knowing how to absentee vote but nationwide public service announcements could remedy that. The federal government could assist by instructing voter registrars in all states to assist displace LA voters in obtaining absentee ballots. I am just irritated with the LA good-ol' boy network, I'm sure you're familiar with it, trying to circumvent state law for their own ends. State law doesn't allow them to delay the vote. They are also trying to pass a law that would allow anyone nationwide to register to vote, not just assist displaced voters in getting an absentee ballot, without ID or proof of residency. I'm sure you can imagine the possibility for voter fraud.

Many of those displaced have permanently relocated to their new homes in whatever state they are in. Some may have already switched their official state of residency. It may seem callous, but voter ignorance is no reason to delay the elections. For example, many voters in a normal election don't know which precinct to go to in order to vote, but we don't stop elections.The mechanism is in place to allow them to vote. As voters and citizens, it is their responsibility to determine what they need to do to vote. The government is there to assist them, all they need to do is ask.

[Accountable]

Well, the more I think about it, the more I agree. The guys crying for delays could spend their time more effectively educating voters.



I'll email you next time I come to visit my sister. We can hook up for a beer or something.