NAACP Opposes New Orleans Elections Process

[Anita Garcia]

The president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will make a "special trip" to New Orleans next week to express the NAACP's opposition to the way the April 22 state and local election will be conducted.

The fear among black liberals is that many African-Americans who tend to vote for Democrats fled the city after Hurrican Katrina and have not returned.

In a press release issued Friday, the NAACP said it has reviewed the proposed election process and has determined that it "will result in thousands of displaced residents being denied a meaningful opportunity to vote."

NAACP President Bruce Gordon will announce on Monday that the "NAACP stands ready to use the full force and power of its resources, and any and all tactics, to fight on behalf of voters in New Orleans and those displaced by Hurricane Katrina for fairness and equity in the upcoming city elections."
<http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=%5CNation%5Carchive%5C200603%5CNAT20060310a.html>

[acmavm]

1. This should be interesting. Black voters are disenfranchied just by

having a name similar to a convicted felons, or having 'suspect' voter registration, or whatever. And they are living in the place they are registered.

How are they gonna get these people the right to vote in time with the additional hurdle of not being where they're registered? I mean, no way are the republicans going to be decent American citizens and allow these people to exercise their right to vote. This excuse is too perfect. They'll say it's impossible to verify that this person is so-and-so, or that it's not convicted felon so-and-so. Shit like that.

No, I think that the NAACP is going to find out how much weight they carry with the Republican party.

[Anita Garcia]

2. Possible NAACP solutions

The NAACP could assist with educating the public on the convoluted, confusing and conflicting information regarding how displaced citizens vote. The NAACP could assist with voter registration. The NAACP could assist with absentee voting outside of Louisiana. The NAACP could assist with providing notaries and witnesses for affidavits. The NAACP could assist with providing fax machine services for ballot and affidavit requests. The NAACP could assist with transportation to the polls in New Orleans. The NAACP could set up tables and provide volunteers in the 38 states where Louisiana citizens were forcibly evacuated by the government.
...OR...
The Louisiana Legislature could vote on March 27th to provide polling places outside of Louisiana.

[acmavm]

5. The Louisiana Legislature could vote to provide outside polling places?

Like that's gonna happen. At least, I don't believe it for a minute.

Yes, the NAACP can do, and I hope they do, all those things. But they are up against wealthy whites who want them out of NO and out of Lousiana politics.

All I can say is good luck.

[Anita Garcia]

9. Look for announcement on Monday

Monday morning, NAACP President Gordon will announce what action(s)the NAACP will take. Louisiana Legislature Regular Session opens March 27th, noon, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

[ProudDad]

10. "felon" voting rights - the facts

In LA, convicted felons are allowed to vote once they are off parole or probation. The same is true in many states:

http://www.righttovote.org/state.asp

No disfranchisement for felony convictions (prisioners may vote):
ME, PR, VT

Voting restored after release from prison:
DC, HI, IL, IN, MA, MI, MT, NH, ND, OH, OR, PA, SD, UT

Voting restored after release from prison and completion of parole (people on probation may vote):
CA, CO, CT, NY

Voting restored after completion of prison, parole and probation:
AK, AR, GA, ID, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE*, NJ, NM, NC, OK, RI, SC, TX, WV, WI

Permanent disfranchisement for some felony convictions, unless government approves individual rights restoration:
AZ, DE, MD, MS, NV, TN, WA, WY

Permanent disfranchisement for all felony convictions, unless government approves individual rights restoration:
AL, FL, IA, KY, VA


* After a two year waiting period

[Keseys Ghost]

11. But, they can't serve on juries in spite of the return of all other rights

We are currently selecting a group of plaintiffs across Louisiana to launch a constitutional attack on that statute

[ProudDad]

12. That's pretty lame

I think the main reason they're not allowed to serve on a jury is that anyone who's been caught up in that bullshit system could almost NEVER choose to convict anyone.

They find out from the inside how the cops and D.A.s will do nearly anything, legal or not, to get a conviction and the judges just go along with the bullshit.

[rucky]

3. We need a drive to distribute absantee ballots to the refugees. n/t

[Anita Garcia]

4. Contact me if you are interested in helping

[babylonsister]

6. Is there any possibility of getting the post office to help out?

The change-of-address cards displaced people must have filed with the p.o. could help to figure out where people currently are.

[rucky]

7. Probably a better chance through the Red Cross

they probably have the most comprehensive list.

[Anita Garcia]

8. No public agency will provide list

result of privacy interests.
That is why it is important that individuals outside of Louisiana who know of or are aware of Louisiana displaced voters need to assist those displaced voters in faxing/mailing in displaced voter absentee ballots and affidavits.