KSGOP Brags about Illegal Voter Suppression
Our friends over at BlueTideRising, bring us an interesting story. The KSGOP sent out an email yesterday with the following line.
To date, the Kansas GOP has identified and caged more voters in the last 11 months than the previous two years!
I'm sure that's got you asking, "What is a caged voter?"
The use of direct mail caging techniques to target voters resulted in the application of the name to the political tactic. With one type of caging, a political party sends registered mail to addresses of registered voters. If the mail is returned as undeliverable - because, for example, the voter refuses to sign for it, the voter isn't present for delivery, or the voter is homeless - the party uses that fact to challenge the registration, arguing that because the voter could not be reached at the address, the registration is fraudulent. A political party challenges the validity of a voter's registration; for the voter's ballot to be counted, the voter must prove that their registration is valid.
Voters targeted by caging are often the most vulnerable: soldiers deployed overseas, those who are unfamiliar with their rights under the law, and those who cannot spare the time, effort, and expense of proving that their registration is valid. On the day of the election, when the voter arrives at the poll and requests a ballot, an operative of the party challenges the validity of their registration. Ultimately, caging works by dissuading a voter from casting a ballot, or by ensuring that they cast a provisional ballot, which is less likely to be counted.
So the KSGOP is not only involved in coordinated, illegal voter suppression they are also bragging about it.
- Kenny Johnston's blog
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Isn't this illegal?
by 24th Dem on December 27, 2007 - 1:08pmWhat is the KDP doing?
by skylights on December 27, 2007 - 5:04pmAlso more on this story
by Pam Pohly on December 28, 2007 - 8:12pmImportance of Voter Registration/GOTV initiatives
by D Walker on December 29, 2007 - 6:27pmThis story highlights the importance of well-managed Voter Registration and GOTV efforts, both effective methods for countering a variety of voter-suppression schemes.
In 2006, Registration/GOTV efforts were very effective in enfranchising voters. It's no wonder the Republicans are nervous enough to resort to tactics like caging.
Let's keep on supporting strategies which actively bring out all voters. Never listen to anyone who says, "Forget about renters; they don't vote" or "Forget about young people; they don't vote". While young people and renters may need a nudge or help in dealing with paperwork, nudging them is well worth the effort. The kinds of active enfranchisement efforts which worked in 2006 should be continued and expanded as much as possible.
GOP voter challenges
by dubluard on January 27, 2008 - 1:16amSuppression
by Julia on April 29, 2008 - 1:50pm