Results tagged “Voting”

March 27, 2013

The Virginian-Pilot reports, "Virginia is on its way to becoming a photo identification voting state. Gov. Bob McDonnell moved the Old Dominion in that direction this week by signing into law legislation requiring voters to show photo ID at the polls beginning next July. His action marks the second substantive change to state voter identification in as many years - the General Assembly last year prevented voters without ID from casting a regular ballot as they'd been able to before."

Progressive Point: The fundamental right to vote and choose our leaders is at the heart of what it means to be an American. It is outrageous that Governor McDonnell and conservatives in Richmond are throwing up more barriers to the ballot box. In spite of the fact that conservative politicians had pushed through a new $2 million voter ID law just last year they're changing the law again.

Our elections should be free, fair, and accessible. Bob McDonnell signing into law this hurdle makes it harder for many Virginians to vote by requiring a specific form of ID he knows many eligible voters don't possess. Additionally, this conservative anti-voting law is solely aimed at preventing law-abiding citizens with the least time and money from voting, including people hit hardest by the recession. Its requirement that voters, many of them life-long voters, travel to the General Registrar's office in order to obtain a new ID is an unnecessary and costly burden on these low-income voters. Conservative lawmakers in Richmond have demonstrated yet again their disregard for the fundamental right to vote we cherish as Virginians.

Get the Facts:

• New conservative legislation currently in the Virginia General Assembly would eliminate several currently valid forms of voter ID. If passed, it could subject Virginians to three new voter ID requirements in three years. (ProgressVA, February 5, 2013)


• Just last year, "Virginia spent $2 million last year mailing new cards to all registered voters and educating Virginians about changes the 2012 General Assembly made to voting requirements." (Virginian-Pilot, February 13, 2013)


• On Election Day last year some Fairfax voters were forced to wait until 10:30 PM, three and a half hours after the polls closed, to cast their votes. One possible cause may be partisan opposition to the approval of qualified poll workers. (Washington Post, November 14, 2012)


• The new voter ID law passed in Virginia forced voters who did not bring one of the approved forms of ID to the poll to cast a provisional ballots that was only counted if they reported to their election office with an approved ID within three days of the election. (Virginian-Pilot, July 30, 2012)

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February 20, 2013

The Washington Post reports, "Democrats in the Virginia House and Senate say their Republican colleagues are attempting to make it harder for the state's voters to cast a ballot with legislation pending in the final days of the General Assembly session. The Democrats also criticized their GOP colleagues for blocking attempts to expand absentee voting, early voting and restoration of felon rights. Sen. Mamie Locke (D-Hampton) said a Senate proposal that would require photo identification to cast a ballot would make it harder for seniors, students, minorities and the poor to vote."

Progressive Point: Our fundamental right to vote and choose our leaders is at the heart of what it means to be an American. But instead of working to find solutions to the long lines many Virginia voters faced this past November, conservative lawmakers have pushed legislation requiring a specific kind of ID they know many voters don't have. This conservative, anti-voting law is solely aimed at preventing law-abiding citizens with the least time and money from voting, including people hit hardest by the recession.

These restrictions are designed to subject Virginia voters to yet another new voter ID requirement just after last year's law. That sort of upheaval will ensure few voters could have confidence that they have the necessary ID vote. These conservative lawmakers have demonstrated yet again their disregard for the fundamental right to vote we cherish as Virginians. This is America. It should be voters choosing their leaders in our democracy, but in Virginia, conservative politicians are trying to pick and choose their voters.

Get the Facts:

• New conservative legislation currently in the Virginia General Assembly would eliminate several currently valid forms of voter ID. If passed, it could subject Virginians to three new voter ID requirements in three years. (ProgressVA, February 5, 2013)


• Just last year, "Virginia spent $2 million last year mailing new cards to all registered voters and educating Virginians about changes the 2012 General Assembly made to voting requirements." (Virginian-Pilot, February 13, 2013)


• Via The Commonwealth Institute:
  • Virginia will forgo about $5 million each day that Medicaid expansion is delayed. The state can expand Medicaid to 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level beginning January 1, 2014. At that time, the state would be able to draw down about $5 million per day in federal funds. This money requires no state match through 2016 and cannot be recaptured if the state delays expansion.
  
  
  • The federal funds that Virginia would forgo by delaying expansion could support 20,000 health care sector jobs in the early years and nearly 30,000 jobs in out years. This means that every day Virginia would be forgoing wages and benefits for 20,000 workers.
  
  
  • The state will lose on $370,000 per day in savings and $110,000 per day in tax revenues by delaying expansion. The savings come from reducing payments for indigent care, supplanting general fund dollars with federal funds, and slowing the increase in state employee health insurance premiums. The tax revenues would be generated from the new health care sector jobs that would be created.
  
  
  • Putting off expansion would delay 400,000 uninsured Virginians from gaining access to quality, affordable health care. This includes more than 33,000 uninsured and underinsured veterans and their family members as well as about 160,000 working Virginians who do not have health insurance.

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February 14, 2013

The Virginian-Pilot reports, "A requirement that all Virginia voters present photo identification at the polls moved a step closer to passage today. State Sen. Mark Obenshain's bill (SB1256) was endorsed by a House subcommittee, 5-1, and now advances to the full Appropriations Committee. The measure would invalidate several forms of ID currently accepted at the polls, including voter identification cards issued by the State Board of Elections, which contain no photo. The state spent $2 million last year mailing new cards to all registered voters and educating Virginians about changes the 2012 General Assembly made to voting requirements."

Progressive Point: If Virginians needed any more examples of conservatives' disregard for voters, it's their new restrictions on our fundamental right to vote. The right to vote and choose our leaders is at the heart of what it means to be an American. But if conservative politicians and the big corporations funding their campaigns can't count on your vote, they'd rather you not be counted at all.

Not only are these new voting restrictions the latest in the line at attempts to change the election rules in their favor, but three new voter ID requirements in three years ensures few voters will be confident they have the necessary ID to cast a ballot. Constantly changing rules, along with conservative assertions that no voter education on the new requirements is necessary, would ensure confusion at polling places. This is America. It should be voters choosing their leaders in our democracy, not politicians picking and choosing their voters.

Get the Facts:

• New conservative legislation currently in the Virginia General Assembly would eliminate several currently valid forms of voter ID. If passed, it could subject Virginians to three new voter ID requirements in three years. (ProgressVA, February 5, 2013)


• Just last year, "Virginia spent $2 million last year mailing new cards to all registered voters and educating Virginians about changes the 2012 General Assembly made to voting requirements." (Virginian-Pilot, February 13, 2013)


• Via The Commonwealth Institute:
  • Virginia will forgo about $5 million each day that Medicaid expansion is delayed. The state can expand Medicaid to 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level beginning January 1, 2014. At that time, the state would be able to draw down about $5 million per day in federal funds. This money requires no state match through 2016 and cannot be recaptured if the state delays expansion.
  
  
  • The federal funds that Virginia would forgo by delaying expansion could support 20,000 health care sector jobs in the early years and nearly 30,000 jobs in out years. This means that every day Virginia would be forgoing wages and benefits for 20,000 workers.
  
  
  • The state will lose on $370,000 per day in savings and $110,000 per day in tax revenues by delaying expansion. The savings come from reducing payments for indigent care, supplanting general fund dollars with federal funds, and slowing the increase in state employee health insurance premiums. The tax revenues would be generated from the new health care sector jobs that would be created.
  
  
  • Putting off expansion would delay 400,000 uninsured Virginians from gaining access to quality, affordable health care. This includes more than 33,000 uninsured and underinsured veterans and their family members as well as about 160,000 working Virginians who do not have health insurance.

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February 6, 2013

ThinkProgress reports, "On Tuesday afternoon, the Virginia House and Senate passed two bills to make the state's voter ID law even stricter. The measures, sponsored by Sen. Dick Black (R-VA) and Rep. Mark Cole (R-VA), would ban voters from presenting a utility bill, pay stub, government or Social Security card as proof of identity -- all forms of ID allowed under the current law. They could still use a voter ID card, concealed handgun permit, drivers license, or student ID. But the Senate is also considering a bill that would even further restrict acceptable voting ID to photo IDs only."

Progressive Point: Instead of working to find solutions to the long lines many Virginia voters faced this past November, conservative lawmakers are again focused on requiring a specific kind of ID they know many voters don't have. Legislation now moving through the General Assembly could subject Virginia voters to three new voter ID requirements in three years. That sort of upheaval would ensure few voters could have confidence that they have the necessary ID vote.

These new voting restrictions the latest in the line at attempts to change the election rules in conservative legislators' favor. They've demonstrated yet again their disregard for the fundamental right to vote we cherish as Virginians. This General Assembly session, conservatives have pushed bill after bill to change the electoral rules and put the fix in for themselves. This is America. It should be voters choosing their leaders in our democracy, but in Virginia, conservative politicians are trying to pick and choose their voters. 

Get the Facts:

• "Virginia's current voter ID law was one of the few approved by the Department of Justice, as it did not disproportionately impact minority voting rights. But if these new measures are signed into law, Virginia's voter ID law will resemble the one in Texas that was struck down in court because it clearly disenfranchised minority voters." (ThinkProgress, February 5, 2013)


• At today's subcommittee meeting, "speakers - representing groups from the League of Women Voters to the NAACP - opposed the photo ID requirement as costly and unnecessary, saying it would disenfranchise minority, elderly and low-income Virginians." (Virginian-Pilot, January 29, 2013)


• According to the Commonwealth Institute, over 850,000 Virginians would be forced to obtain a new photo identification to vote under Obenshain's proposal. [The Commonwealth Institute]


• Unnecessary and burdensome voter restrictions could cost the Commonwealth up to $22 million to implement. [The Commonwealth Institute]


• Virginians and life-long voters, such as Augustine Carter, who don't have an original birth certificate, would face new hurdles to exercising their constitutional right to vote. [Release: Grassroots advocates and citizens condemn attempted voting restrictions, Virginian Pilot]

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January 29, 2013

The Virginian-Pilot reports, "A House of Delegates subcommittee that vets all election-related legislation..." endorsed "one proposal to tighten voter ID requirements: a measure from Del. Mark Cole, R-Spotsylvania County, to reduce the number of acceptable documents voters can show to establish their identity. Cole's bill (HB1337) would drop from the list a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck that shows the name and address of the voter... A variety of other speakers - representing groups from the League of Women Voters to the NAACP - opposed the photo ID requirement as costly and unnecessary, saying it would disenfranchise minority, elderly and low-income Virginians."

Progressive Point: The integrity of our elections is paramount. But the biggest threat to our democracy is conservative politicians trying to change the rules to rig elections in their favor. Instead of working to find solutions to the long lines many Virginia voters faced this past November, they're focused on requiring a specific kind of ID they know many voters don't have.

Over the past week, conservatives in Richmond have unveiled bill after bill to change the electoral rules and put the fix in for themselves. From shady and unconstitutional redistricting redos to gerrymandering Virginia's electoral votes and making it harder for hundreds of thousands of Virginians to cast a ballot, conservative lawmakers have pursued an agenda that would ensure Virginians' votes count less, or not at all. Our elections should be free, fair, and accessible. The underhanded schemes Richmond conservatives are pushing this year are simply an attempt to push us aside and pick and choose their own voters.

Get the Facts:

• At today's subcommittee meeting, "speakers - representing groups from the League of Women Voters to the NAACP - opposed the photo ID requirement as costly and unnecessary, saying it would disenfranchise minority, elderly and low-income Virginians." (Virginian-Pilot, January 29, 2013)


• According to the Commonwealth Institute, over 850,000 Virginians would be forced to obtain a new photo identification to vote under Obenshain's proposal. [The Commonwealth Institute]


• Unnecessary and burdensome voter restrictions could cost the Commonwealth up to $22 million to implement. [The Commonwealth Institute]


• Virginians and life-long voters, such as Augustine Carter, who don't have an original birth certificate, would face new hurdles to exercising their constitutional right to vote. [Release: Grassroots advocates and citizens condemn attempted voting restrictions, Virginian Pilot]


• In addition to Senator Obenshain's SB1256, there are multiple proposals pending before the General Assembly to restrict voter's access, including SB 719, HB 1337, SB 1077, SB 1072, HB 1787, HB 1788.


• Senator Obenshain's proposal will be heard by the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee at 4pm on Tuesday, January 29, in Senate Room A of the General Assembly Building.

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January 28, 2013

The Martinsville Bulletin reports, "The state Senate's Republicans should be ashamed of themselves. Last Monday, GOP legislators in the Senate stunned their counterparts in the House of Delegates as well as Gov. Bob McDonnell when they approved a plan to redraw the Senate districts. This was done after the redistricting process was completed following the 2010 U.S. Census and without public hearings or input. To make sure their move would succeed, the measure was voted on when a Democratic Senator, Henry Marsh, was at the presidential inauguration in Washington, giving the GOP a temporary majority in the chamber."

Progressive Point: This is America. It should be voters choosing their leaders in our democracy. But in Virginia, conservative politicians are trying to pick and choose their voters -- and they're targeting the voters who disagree with them. On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, they pushed through a proposal to undermine the voting rights that King worked to secure for all Americans. They waited until a state lawmaker, a civil rights leader, was away attending the Inauguration so they could pass their bill to keep the voters they can't count on from voting where it counts.

They're trying to push through new laws that manipulate the voter district lines and the Electoral College -- so they can make the voters they CAN count on count for more than other Americans. Virginia's conservative lawmakers didn't like losing the election so they're trying to rig the next one. That may keep their political opponents from winning today, but they could be on the losing side tomorrow. In the world's leading democracy, voting is the one thing that should bring us all together and the one time when we all have the same say as Americans. Let's keep it that way.

Get the Facts:

• The new districts could potentially result in a 27-13 GOP super majority in the State Senate. (Not Larry Sabato, January 22, 2013)


• The redistricting bill could also displace almost 3 million residents (45% of Virginia's voters) into new districts. (Kenton Ngo, January, 2013)


• Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine issued a joint statement harshly criticizing the act which states, "This is not the way we should be conducting the people's business in Virginia. We are encouraged by Governor McDonnell's statements today expressing disapproval of the tactics that were used. We urge legislative leaders and other elected officials to do the right thing to correct this disappointing and disruptive partisan action." (Washington Post, January 22, 2013)


• Even Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) is against the measure, who would have cast the tie breaking vote against it should Sen. Marsh have been present. (Washington Post, January 21, 2013)


• "The map puts two sitting senators, R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) and Emmett W. Hanger Jr. (R-Augusta), into a single district." (Washington Post, January 21, 2013)

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January 24, 2013

The Washington Post reports, "Voting rights advocates are expressing concerns about what they see as a renewed effort by Republicans this legislative session to make it harder for Virginians to cast a ballot. At a press conference held Thursday, Tram Nguyen, associate director of Virginia New Majority, said that pending legislation that would require voters to show proof of citizenship or state-issued photo identification would be expensive to implement and could disenfranchise elderly, poor and minority voters."

Progressive Point: America was founded on the principle that we're all created equal and voting is the one thing that brings us all together and makes us equal as Americans. But this conservative, anti-voting law is solely aimed at preventing law-abiding citizens with the least time and money from voting, including people hit hardest by the recession.

These new restrictions require specific kinds of ID that politicians know many citizens don't have. That's not all: conservatives would make it harder for seniors and veterans who are lifelong voters to participate in our elections as well. Parents, seniors, and working Virginians need more flexibility that allows them to vote early or on weekends, not less. Voting is a fundamental freedom -- we need to protect our democracy by making sure all eligible voters can vote.

Get the Facts:

• The Virginian-Pilot reports on the three Delegates' voter ID efforts:
  • "Bell plans to sponsor a bill that would require voters to present a government-issued photo ID to vote, show proof of citizenship to obtain an ID, and let the state provide the necessary documents at no-cost to eligible voters who can't afford them."
  
  
  • "Obenshain has pursued photo ID legislation since 2005 and this year said he'll offer legislation facilitating the transfer of drivers' license photos from the Department of Motor Vehicles to election officials to provide another layer of voter identity verification for local poll workers."
  
  
  • "Cole has pre-filed legislation that would strike from the law provisions that allow voters to present a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or pay stub with an address as valid ID at the polls."


• On Election Day, some Fairfax voters were forced to wait until 10:30 PM, three and a half hours after the polls closed, to cast their votes. One possible cause may be partisan opposition to the approval of qualified poll workers. (Washington Post, November 14, 2012)


• The new voter ID law passed in Virginia forced voters who did not bring one of the approved forms of ID to the poll to cast a provisional ballots that was only counted if they reported to their election office with an approved ID within three days of the election. (Virginian-Pilot, July 30, 2012)

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January 23, 2013

The Virginian-Pilot reports, "Virginia's Republican-ruled legislature has taken the first steps toward ending the state's winner-takes-all system of apportioning its 13 presidential electoral votes. A Senate subcommittee recommended Sen. Bill Carrico's bill on Wednesday on a 3-3 party line vote. His bill would apportion electors according to which presidential candidate carries each of the state's 11 congressional districts."

Progressive Point: The right to vote and choose our leaders is at the heart of what it means to be an American. But if conservative politicians and the big corporations funding their campaigns can't count on your vote, they'd rather you not be counted at all. Not content with just gerrymandering districts to rig the vote, conservatives are now quietly rewriting our laws to rig Presidential elections, too. Under their plan, President Obama would have lost Virginia despite a majority of Virginians voting for him.

Rather than cater to an increasingly diverse and progressive America, conservative lawmakers are trying to tip the Electoral College in their favor in 2016 - even if a majority of Virginians don't vote for them. It's bad enough they're rewriting our laws to favor the big corporations funding their campaigns. Now they're working together to rig the vote -- so the system stays rigged in their favor.

Get the Facts:

• "President Barack Obama won Virginia's 13 electoral votes last year and in 2008. Under Carrico's revision, Mitt Romney would have won nine Virginia electors to Obama's four." (Virginian-Pilot, January 23, 2013)


• "In the last year, Republican leaders have indicated interest in dividing electoral votes in such states as Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and, just this week, Virginia, where state senator Bill Carrico has introduced a bill to allocate Virginia's electoral votes by congressional district." Sen. Carrico's plan "gives more advantage to Republicans than any other plan short of simply going back to the days of legislatures appointing electors." (The Center for Voting and Democracy, December 13, 2012)

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January 22, 2013

ThinkProgress reports, "While the eyes of the nation were turned toward President Barack Obama's second inauguration on Monday, the Virginia State Senate managed to hurriedly pass a bill that would redistrict the state's senate seats. The vote, 20-19, would have been a tie had Democratic Senator Henry Marsh been present. Marsh, a civil rights leader, was in Washington, D.C., attending the inauguration."

Progressive Point: The right to vote and choose our leaders is at the heart of what it means to be an American. But in an overreaching, sneaky, underhanded political power grab, conservative State Senators voted to redraw their districts and deny the voters a say in electing their representatives, despite a clear constitutional prohibition.

It's bad enough conservatives are rewriting our laws to favor the big corporations funding their campaigns. Now in the Virginia State Senate they're working to blatantly rig the vote -- so the system stays rigged in their favor no matter who you vote for. Furthermore, this radically changes the racial, ethnic, and partisan makeup of the Senate districts. This is America -- we've never solved anything in this country with less democracy, and we won't now.

Get the Facts:

• Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine issued a joint statement harshly criticizing the act which states, "This is not the way we should be conducting the people's business in Virginia. We are encouraged by Governor McDonnell's statements today expressing disapproval of the tactics that were used. We urge legislative leaders and other elected officials to do the right thing to correct this disappointing and disruptive partisan action." (Washington Post, January 22, 2013)


• Even Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) is against the measure, who would have cast the tie breaking vote against it should Sen. Marsh have been present. (Washington Post, January 21, 2013)


• "The map puts two sitting senators, R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) and Emmett W. Hanger Jr. (R-Augusta), into a single district." (Washington Post, January 21, 2013)


• The new districts could potentially result in a 27-13 GOP super majority in the State Senate. (Not Larry Sabato, January 22, 2013)

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January 21, 2013

On Saturday, the Virginian-Pilot reported, "A proposal to allow voters 65 and older to vote by absentee ballot was tabled on an unrecorded voice vote by the House Privileges and Elections Committee after virtually no debate...The measure won subcommittee approval earlier this week, but that vote was reversed by the full committee... In the brief discussion that preceded the vote, [Del. Alfonso] Lopez told the panel allowing senior citizens to vote absentee would help alleviate long lines at the polls... A Senate version of the proposal - SB724 from Sens. John Miller, D-Newport News, and Jeff McWaters, R-Virginia Beach - is still alive, but would have to clear the same House committee to become law."

Progressive Point: As the world's leading democracy, voting should be free, fair, and accessible, no matter what you look like, how much money you make, or how old you are. Allowing Virginians over the age of 65 to vote absentee without providing an excuse would mean more seniors can participate in our elections and exercise their fundamental right to vote.

Increasing opportunities for seniors to vote by absentee ballot will have a dramatic impact on not just them but also the long lines and wait times at polling locations on Election Day. But if some conservative politicians can't count on your vote, they want to keep you from being counted at all. That's why they're trying to kill this bill. America is the world's leading democracy. We set the example by making sure every eligible American can participate in our democracy. Ensuring Virginia seniors' fundamental right to vote does just that.

Get the Facts:

• "A proposal to allow voters 65 and older to vote by absentee ballot was tabled on an unrecorded voice vote by the House Privileges and Elections Committee after virtually no debate... Lawmakers had submitted a variety of measures aimed at widening access to the polls in the wake of hours-long lines at many polling places in November. The broadest of those, which would have allowed no-excuse early voting, has already been killed." (Virginian-Pilot, January 19, 2013)


• Last week, bills designed "to expand absentee voting, and allow early voting, failed in the face of almost uniform Republican opposition. GOP lawmakers rejected no-fault absentee voting, which would dispense with the need for an explanation. They also refused to add parents of young children to the list of those allowed to vote absentee, which includes people traveling for business or pleasure, military service members and those suffering from illness or disability." (Washington Post, January 17, 2013)

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January 14, 2013

The Virginian-Pilot reports, "Less than a week after Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell endorsed it, a proposal to allow automatic restoration of voting rights to nonviolent felons was shot down today by a Republican-dominated House of Delegates subcommittee... The seven-member panel's majority Republicans said they are satisfied with the current system, in which felons must petition the governor to get their voting rights restored after they are released from prison."

Progressive Point: The right to vote and choose our leaders is at the heart of what it means to be an American. But this morning, conservatives in the House of Delegates undermined that fundamental freedom and rejected measures to automatically restore voting rights to nonviolent felons who have paid their debt to society.

If they can't count on your vote, they'd rather you not be counted at all. Keeping voting rights from people who have served their time and paid their debt to society is wrong. We can't help nonviolent felons become contributing members of society if we don't grant them basic civil liberties to participate in our democracy. This is America -- we've never solved anything in this country with less democracy, and we won't now.

Get the Facts: The Virginian-Pilot reports:

• "450,000 Virginians are disenfranchised under the current system."


• "The seven-member panel's majority Republicans said they are satisfied with the current system, in which felons must petition the governor to get their voting rights restored after they are released from prison."


• "Virginia is one of two states with the most restrictive policies in the country."


• "Today's vote means the proposal is likely dead for this session."

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January 9, 2013

The Virginian-Pilot reports, "In the minds of some Republicans, the General Assembly didn't go far enough last year when it approved tougher voting identification laws. Accordingly, several GOP lawmakers -- Dels. Rob Bell and Mark Cole, and Sen. Mark Obenshain among them -- are offering new voting measures for consideration by their legislative colleagues... 'Our elections should be free, fair, and accessible,' added Katie O'Connor, staff attorney with the Advancement Project. 'Proposals like this that make it harder for Virginians to participate in our democracy undermine our constitutional protections and silence the voice of the people.'"

Progressive Point: Our elections should be free, fair, and accessible to all. But conservatives in Richmond have made it clear that they think they didn't throw up enough barriers last year to eligible Virginia voters. Instead of making it harder for Virginians to vote, our leaders should be focused on fixing the long lines so many voters encountered in November.

Now is the time to make sure every eligible voter can exercise his or her right to vote. New restrictions would limit valid voter IDs to only a few specific kinds that many voters don't have. Parents, seniors, and working Virginians need flexibility that allows them to vote early or on weekends. This is America - it should be voters choosing our leaders, not politicians choosing voters.

Get the Facts:

• The Virginian-Pilot reports on the three Delegates' voter ID efforts:
  • "Bell plans to sponsor a bill that would require voters to present a government-issued photo ID to vote, show proof of citizenship to obtain an ID, and let the state provide the necessary documents at no-cost to eligible voters who can't afford them."
  
  
  • "Obenshain has pursued photo ID legislation since 2005 and this year said he'll offer legislation facilitating the transfer of drivers' license photos from the Department of Motor Vehicles to election officials to provide another layer of voter identity verification for local poll workers."
  
  
  • "Cole has pre-filed legislation that would strike from the law provisions that allow voters to present a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or pay stub with an address as valid ID at the polls."



• On Election Day, some Fairfax voters were forced to wait until 10:30 PM, three and a half hours after the polls closed, to cast their votes. One possible cause may be partisan opposition to the approval of qualified poll workers. (Washington Post, November 14, 2012)


• The new voter ID law passed in Virginia forced voters who did not bring one of the approved forms of ID to the poll to cast a provisional ballots that were only counted if they reported to their election office with an approved ID within three days of the election. (Virginian-Pilot, July 30, 2012)

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November 27, 2012

The Virginian-Pilot reports, "Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, long an outspoken critic of President Barack Obama, in a recent interview may have gone a step further when he seemed to agree with a suggestion that lax voting laws aided Obama's re-election. The discussion centered on election integrity and which enforcement powers Cuccinelli has when he was a guest last week on a Washington-based radio station."

Progressive Point: Our democracy is strongest when every eligible voter participates. But now Ken Cuccinelli is saying that conservatives didn't throw up enough barriers to voting this year. In fact, he thinks if more states had suppressed the vote, President Obama wouldn't have won. Now Cuccinelli is more committed than ever to keeping your voice from being counted.

Conservative politicians are trying to dismantle our constitutional guarantee to have a voice in our democracy. They accuse others of disrespecting the Constitution, but nothing is more disrespectful than trying to take away the fundamental freedom at the heart of it. An assault on the right to vote is an assault on the Constitution.

Get the Facts:

• On Election Day, some Fairfax voters were forced to wait until 10:30 PM, three and a half hours after the polls closed, to cast their votes. One possible cause may be partisan opposition to the approval of qualified poll workers. (Washington Post, November 14, 2012)

• The new voter ID law passed in Virginia forced voters who did not bring one of the approved forms of ID to the poll to cast a provisional ballots that were only counted if they reported to their election office with an approved ID within three days of the election. (Virginian-Pilot, July 30, 2012)


• Del. Mark Cole's proposed bill would even further restrict the forms of valid Virginia voting ID by disallowing a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or pay stub with an address as acceptable forms. (Virginian-Pilot, November 24, 2012)

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November 26, 2012

The Virginian-Pilot reports, "Virginia's voter identification policy will become tougher than it currently is if Del. Mark Cole has his druthers... The Republican legislator would like the General Assembly to strike provisions that allow voters to present a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or pay stub with an address as valid ID at the polls."

Progressive Point: Our elections should be free, fair and accessible to all. This year many of us faced unacceptably long waits at the polls on Election Day. Now is the time to make it easier, not harder, to exercise our fundamental American right to vote.

Leaders who are committed to protecting our democracy should be searching for solutions to this modern day poll tax, not creating new hurdles. New restrictions would limit valid voter IDs to only a few specific kinds that many voters don't have. Parents, seniors, and working Virginians need flexibility that allows them to vote early or on weekends. This is America - it should be voters choosing our leaders, not politicians choosing voters.

Get the Facts:

• On Election Day, some Fairfax voters were forced to wait until 10:30 PM, three and a half hours after the polls closed, to cast their votes. One possible cause may be partisan opposition to the approval of qualified poll workers. (Washington Post, November 14, 2012)

• The new voter ID law passed in Virginia forced voters who did not bring one of the approved forms of ID to the poll to cast a provisional ballots that were only counted if they reported to their election office with an approved ID within three days of the election. (Virginian-Pilot, July 30, 2012)


• Del. Mark Cole's proposed bill would even further restrict the forms of valid Virginia voting ID by disallowing a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or pay stub with an address as acceptable forms. (Virginian-Pilot, November 24, 2012)

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November 16, 2012

Progressive Point: In the world's leading democracy, voting should be free, fair, and accessible. Voters shouldn't have to wait in line for hours cast a ballot. In order to protect the right to vote, we have to remove any hurdles placed before it and stop any attempts to discourage voting.

Long lines might as well be a poll tax for working class and hourly-wage workers who can't leave work for hours to vote. Our right to vote is the most basic principle of our democracy. Virginia needs a response and our country needs a national response to these threats to our ability to participate in our democracy.

Get the Facts:

• On Election Day, some Fairfax voters were forced to wait until 10:30, three and a half hours after the polls closed, to cast their votes. One possible cause may be partisan opposition to the approval of qualified poll workers. (Washington Post, November 14, 2012)


• Following the problems on Election Day, Rep. George Miller has proposed a bill that would require early voting in all states which would help to reduce lines. (The Hill, November 15, 2012)


• Sen. Chris Coons has also introduced legislation to help fix voting problems by rewarding states that make voting faster and more accessible with federal grants and is modeled off the President's Race to the Top education program. Sen. Mark Warner has agreed to sign on as a cosponsor and Rep. Gerry Connolly will be introducing the House version. (Huffington Post, November 15, 2012)


• Tea Party-affiliated groups tried to recruit 1 million volunteers to bully voters in targeted communities on and before Election Day. (Common Cause, September 10, 2012)


• The new voter ID law passed in Virginia forced voters who did not bring one of the approved forms of ID to the poll to cast a provisional ballots that were only counted if they reported to their election office with an approved ID within three days of the election. (Virginian-Pilot, July 30, 2012)

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November 9, 2012

Progressive Point: As the world's leading democracy, America needs a voting system that is free, fair, and equally accessible to everyone. Conservative politicians across the country are manipulating our election laws to make it harder for millions of eligible citizens to vote--including seniors and veterans.

Hundreds of thousands of voters waited hours to cast their ballot on Tuesday, delays caused by understaffed polls and new ID requirements. Long lines that cause voters to lose hours out of their work day are no better than a poll tax. After these Election Day lines, it is clear we need no excuse early voting in Virginia. Removing barriers to voting strengthens our democracies and lets everyone make their voice heard.

Get the Facts:

• Sen. Janet Howell has previously pushed for no excuse early voting in Virginia. This year the bill died on a party-line committee vote but she has stated she will introduce it again. "'The more people that we can have vote early, the shorter the lines will be on Election Day,' Howell said." (Roanoke Times, November 8, 2012)

• The new voter ID law passed in Virginia forces voters who do not bring one of the approved forms of ID to the poll to cast a provisional ballot that will only be counted if they report to their election office with an approved ID within three days of the election. (Virginian-Pilot, July 30, 2012)


• Proponents of the new Virginia legislation making it harder to vote say it's necessary to solve the problem of voter fraud, but even the bill's sponsor admits that voter fraud is not a problem and could not name an instance of it occurring. (YouTube)

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November 7, 2012

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports, "It's official: Virginia, long a Republican stronghold, supported a Democrat again in the presidential campaign. With 97 percent of precincts reporting, The Associated Press confirmed President Barack Obama victory in the state about one hour after the news service confirmed the president's re-election... Romney's performance is exceeding that of George Allen, the Republican candidate for Senate. Allen conceded his race to Tim Kaine, the Democratic candidate, at 10:45 p.m. with Kaine holding a 50.7 percent to 49.3 percent lead and several Democratic strongholds still to report."

Progressive Point: Virginians have spoken. Today is a victory for families living paycheck to paycheck and all Americans working hard to build a better life for ourselves. It's a victory for all voters who faced a clear choice between two very different visions for America.

We said no to an extreme ideology that downplays rape and makes attacking Americans who aren't like them a central part of its platform. Virginians chose cooperation and a Commonwealth were our ingenuity is the envy of the world, and investments in education, infrastructure, and new industries are the future we build together. Thank you for all you do and thank you for making your voice heard.

Get the Facts: Via Ezra Klein's Wonkblog (as of 4 a.m.):

• Obama vs. Romney, electoral vote: 303 Obama, 206 Romney. (FL's 29 not called, Obama leading slightly in state's vote count.)


• Swing states: For Obama: NH, PA, VA, OH, IA, WI, NV, (FL). For Romney: NC.


• Obama vs. Romney, popular vote: 57.7M Obama, 55.8M Romney; 50% to 48%.

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November 6, 2012

The Washington Post reports, "They lined up before dawn in the cold and the dark, voters of all political persuasions, clutching cups of hot coffee and their American dreams... In storm-ravaged New Jersey, deep purple Virginia and all-important Ohio, the rhetorical battles that Democrats and Republicans have waged for months finally gave way to the simplest of civic traditions: one voter, one ballot and the freedom to decide."

Progressive Point: There is a lot at stake today for Virginia and if you don't vote, you can't complain. We're Americans. Voting is our civic duty and opportunity to stand up to the politicians and special interests trying to keep those who disagree with them from voting at all.

Mitt Romney's allies are manipulating our voting laws to make it harder to vote, making workers who don't vote for Romney fear for their jobs, and trying to trick voters with false campaign ads and scare tactics at the polls. If they can't count on you to vote their way, they want to keep you from being counted at all. It's our responsibility as American citizens to participate in our great democracy -- even if some politicians and their allies are pulling out all the stops to stop us.

Get the Facts:

• Do you know what form of ID you need to bring? View the official list here.


• You can find your up-to-date polling place, driving directions, absentee voting information and more on the State Board of Election's website.


• If you encounter any sort of problem at your polling place or have a question, call the nonpartisan election protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Examples of potential issues at the polls include:
  • Long lines
  • Voter intimidation
  • Suspicious behavior
  • Voting machine malfunctions
  • Registration errors


• Voters experiencing problems at the polls on Election Day can also report it to Election Protection via your Twitter account. Tweets should include a description of the problem, #EPVA and a hashtag+zip code (ex. #22205).


• Via the Center for American Progress and ProgressVA:

•  
  • Middle-class Virginians would pay more in taxes while millionaires would pay less.Millionaires in the state would receive an additional $87,000 in tax breaks under the tax plans of Gov. Romney and Rep. Ryan, while middle-class families would pay up to $2,000 more in health care taxes and $1,066 more in taxes on their mortgages.
  
  
  • Jobs would decline across Virginia. Gov. Romney and Rep. Ryan plan to provide extra tax incentives for corporations to outsource jobs and are pushing policy proposals to cripple the clean energy industry, jeopardizing 90,000 jobs across the state.
  
  
  • Drastic cuts to federal spending would shrink Virginia's middle class. The state stands to lose more than $46 billion in federal funding from 2013 through 2022--an aver­age of more than $4.6 billion a year--from cuts to schools, law enforcement, transportation, highway repairs, job-training programs, and more. These cuts would fall predominantly on middle-class and low-income families, especially cuts to education programs that would result in nearly $156 million in reduced federal support for education and job training in the state in 2013 and $361 million in 2014 alone.
  
  
  • Seniors in Virginia would lose health care benefits and pay more. Gov. Romney and Rep. Ryan would force seniors in the state to pay at least $639 more for their prescrip­tion drugs each year. At the same time, the Romney-Ryan plan to turn Medicare into a voucher system would cost current seniors at least $11,000 more in out-of-pocket expenses.
  
  
  • Severe cuts in veterans' health services. The Romney-Ryan budget would require cuts that would slash Veterans Affairs discretionary spending by nearly 20 percent. More than 85 percent of Veterans Affairs discretionary spending supports medical care; such a cut could have a significant impact on the 820,000 veterans in Virginia, including the 130,000 veterans who receive care in Virginia's VA Medical Centers each year.

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November 5, 2012

The Virginian-Pilot reports, "Training to be a political poll monitor is often conducted by outside groups, and Friday a coalition of voter advocates lodged a formal complaint about the guidance one group has offered. That group, Texas-based True the Vote, has a Virginia-specific training manual that critics say is filled with misleading information about state election law. In a written complaint to the State Board of Elections, Virginia's attorney general and the U.S. attorneys assigned to the state, they highlight several passages in the 44-page booklet they say contains 'numerous and serious errors' about voting procedures."

Progressive Point: Every eligible voter should confident that voter intimidation groups can't get between you and the polling booth. True the Vote and poll watchers who have been trained with false or misleading information shouldn't stand in the way of voters exercising their constitutional rights.

Our elections should be free, fair and accessible. Election workers and nonpartisan monitors are in place to make sure challengers don't intimidate you or keep you from voting. If you encounter a problem or think you might be the victim of voter suppression, call the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA to immediately connect with lawyers and trained staff who can help. Protect yourself by making sure you know the rules, have a valid ID to vote, and know where to cast your ballot.

Get the Facts:

• Do you know what form of ID you need to bring? View the official list here.


• You can find your up-to-date polling place, driving directions, absentee voting information and more on the State Board of Election's website.


• If you encounter any sort of problem at your polling place or have a question, call the nonpartisan election protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Examples of potential issues at the polls include:
  • Long lines
  • Voter intimidation
  • Suspicious behavior
  • Voting machine malfunctions
  • Registration errors


• Voters experiencing problems at the polls on Election Day can also report it to Election Protection via your Twitter account. Tweets should include a description of the problem, #EPVA and a hashtag+zip code (ex. #22205).


• True the Vote Virginia training materials, released by the Election Protection Coalition, contain misleading information about state election law. One example is that they state people voting after the polls close should cast a provisional ballot while also later noting "Virginia law allows anyone in line by the time polls close to vote." (Virginian-Pilot, November 4, 2012)


• The new GOP voter suppression efforts will undermine the voting rights of as many as 5 million voters in the 2012 election -- a number larger than the margin of victory in two of the last three presidential elections. (Brennan Center for Justice, October 3, 2011)

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