Wisconsin Lawyers Call on Holder to Investigate Voter ID Law

[Yon_Yonson]

The Progressive

Wisconsin Lawyers Call on Holder to Investigate Voter ID Law
By Matthew Rothschild, August 31, 2011

The civil rights division of the chief lawyers’ group in Wisconsin is calling on Attorney General Eric Holder to inspect the voter ID law that Governor Walker signed earlier this year.

“We urge you to protect the voting rights of Wisconsin residents by using the full power of the Department of Justice to review Wisconsin’s voter identification law and scrutinize its implementation,” wrote Sally A. Stix, chairperson of the civil rights and liberties section of the State Bar of Wisconsin, to Holder on August 26.

Calling the law “highly restrictive,” Stix said that the law has “the potential to suppress the votes of thousands of eligible Wisconsin voters.”

She noted that a high percentage of minorities lack a photo ID that is now required for voting.

“According to a 2005 UW-Milwaukee study,” she wrote, “55% of African-American men and 49% of African-American women in Milwaukee, 46% of Hispanic men and 59% of Hispanic women, 23% of seniors and 78% of young African-American men and 66% of young African-American women lack a photo ID. The statewide percentage is also high for seniors, racial minorities, low-income voters and students.”

She added that “the Department of Motor Vehicles, which issues the IDs is not encouraging its workers to help prospective voters through the process.” For a shocking example, see this account by Rebecca Meacham about her mom’s attempt to get a driver’s license: www.facebook.com/notes/rebecca-meacham

Stix urged the Attorney General to see whether there was “any unlawful intent evinced by the Wisconsin legislature.”

http://www.progressive.org/wisconsin_voter_id_law.html

[elocs]

1. It would be nice, but I see that going nowhere, nowhere. n/t

[Yon_Yonson]

2. I hate to say this but I don't thing the FED gives a crap about violation of election laws Wisconsin

Nothing ever became of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin's request for an investigation into the Prosser/Kloppenburg shenanigans in Waukesha County.

I hope something comes of this complaint but I will not hold my breath!

[elocs]

3. Where DO they give a crap about election violations or fraud?

Or just investigating them?

[Yon_Yonson]

5. Point well taken

[midnight]

4. K&R