State poll challenger law may be reviewed

[drfemoe]

Democrats will wait to see how GOP checkers treat minority voters.
By JOSEPH GERTH
[e-mail]
The Courier-Journal

Democratic lawmakers say they will watch how Republican challengers treat minorities on Election Day at 59 largely black voting precincts in Jefferson County before deciding whether to seek an end to the practice.

"It's purely something that is used to suppress the voters," said Rep. Larry Clark, D-Okolona, the House speaker pro tem. Republicans have "got political motives, and it's something that I think has to be looked at."

Republicans will put challengers at precincts in Louisville's West End, Newburg and Portland neighborhoods, where the party has alleged past voting irregularities.

Jefferson County GOP Chairman Jack Richardson IV said earlier this week that the precincts were selected at random or because the Republican Party has had trouble finding registered voters in those areas to serve as election workers.

continued ..
http://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2003/10/25ky/wir-front-votes1025-7680.html

[Syrinx]

1. This is outrageous

Mike Malloy really went off on this last night. If you want to hear him, go on over to whiterosesociety.org and download the mp3.

[joeybee12]

2. Why the F**K don't they match with Dem challengers at each district!!!??

Come on, after the election if they lose, any cahnge in the law will make them look like poor losers.

Get those fucking Dems as challengers as well so they can't let the Repukes intimidate the Dems. It's so fucking obvious what needs to be done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[schultzee]

3. Filthy republicans trying to intimidate Black voters. Fascists

republicans. I hope the little poll watchers meet with some nice gangs and learn to stay in their white suburban areas. Pigs.

[rocktivity]

4. Exactly what can a challenger challenge anyway?

What kind of authority does a challenger have? What is a challenger allowed to ask you? What are you obligated to do in terms of cooperating with one? Can you get a "second opinion"?

Instead of whining and waiting "to see what happens," the Dems should educate the voters and sign up challengers of their own.


rocknation

[drfemoe]

5. From an earlier article

"Those challenged must sign an oath swearing they are valid voters. Anyone who refuses won't be allowed to vote unless an election officer decides the challenge is unwarranted, said Walter Cato, a Democrat and one of the four members of the Jefferson County Board of Elections. " .. snipped

http://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2003/10/23ky/wir-front-votes1023-9144.html

[alarimer]

10. is this legal??

Don't people have to show their voter registration cards anyway? Don't they veryify signatures?? Why is this sort of intimidation allowed?

[ninkasi]

6. Wonder if they'll use the same tactics

to intimidate Latino voters in some states, like Texas? I know even many legal immigrants, or people who were born here, get nervous around anybody who threatens to be with "La Migra".

Has anybody heard? I imagine they'll resort to the same filty tactics anyplace they think they can get away with it.

[Noordam]

7. This is not as bad as it sounds

under the law they can ONLY place ONE challenger per precinct. If ONE challenger stops ppl from voting, I really do not know what to say.

[DUreader]

8. Challenger will be in Police or Military Uniform

Nothing is beyond the pale for these cons

[MasonJar]

9. the Ky governor's race

The Democratic Party has decided that the election officials can take care of the challengers. I spoke to Walt, a friend of mine, this morning. The officials have been trained what to do. I hope he is right. We cannot lose our governor's race here in Kentucky. If we do, I will be represented by no one anywhere, except our mayor.