URGENT- Write Eric Holder to Stop Voter Suppression in Florida

[stsmi...@aol.com]

Please, please, please take action on this. It is vitally important that we stop this law from going into effect in Hillsborough and the other counties in Florida that must go under review at the Justice Department.

And share with your contacts!!

Thank you!!!

Best,
Susan

-----Original Message-----
From: Hillsborough Democratic Party <ch...@hillsdems.org>
To: stsmi...@aol.com
Sent: Mon, Jul 18, 2011 9:38 pm
Subject: URGENT- Write Eric Holder to Stop Voter Suppression in Florida

Call or write Attorney General Holder NOW to stop voter suppression in Florida!  Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.   URGENT! WRITE / CALL / EMAIL / OR COMMENT ON FACEBOOK NOW! DEADLINE IS AUGUST 8, 2011   Dear Democratic Colleagues, The summary/talking points and the sample letter below address two voter suppression tactics now being used in Florida. 1. The comprehensive voting reform bill that was enacted by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Rick Scott, and 2. The repeal of the Rules of Executive Clemency enacted under former Gov. Charlie Crist which now make it much more difficult for former felons to regain their voting and civil rights. As you know, many other states are now engaged in similar efforts to manipulate elections by shutting people out of the voting booth – particularly disfavored minority voters – by similar tactics that also involve ending same day registration and more onerous photo ID requirements. This is what we need – now!! We need folks to write, call and email Attorney General Eric Holder immediately to urge that he not allow these voting changes - that he denies "preclearance."  The Attorney General has the authority to disallow changes in voting rules and procedures that set back the voting rights of racial, ethnic and language minorities under the Voting Rights Act of 1965. We can’t let the Florida Legislature manipulate elections by shutting out disfavored voters. And we can’t rely in the courts to protect civil and voting rights. Our best hope – for the quickest action – lies with Attorney General Eric Holder.  Write - scroll down to see sample letter Call – Attorney General Eric Holder, Office of the Attorney General Public Comment Line - 202-353-1555; Department of Justice Main Switchboard - 202-514-2000   Email - Ask...@usdoj.gov   Circulate these materials through social networking sites to which you have access   Urge others to take similar action.  Act now to protect voting rights and fair elections.  DEADLINE IS AUGUST 8, 2011.     2011 Retrogressive Changes to Florida Voting Laws and New Florida Voting Laws Disproportionately Impact Racial Minorities  Florida’s New Voter Suppression Law (formerly HB1355): Cuts the number of days counties are permitted to hold early voting. The law includes a new ban on early voting the Sunday before Election Day which was previously allowed.    Studies show what racial minorities relied more heavily on early voting options   Forces voters to use a provisional ballot if they move between counties and need to update their address on Election Day. Previously, Florida voters could update their address on Election Day and vote by regular ballot. Provisional ballots are easier to challenge and, based on past elections, are only counted about 50% of the time.  This change targets racial minorities and young voters who, studies show, move more often than non-minority voters. This requirement is also aimed at requiring young voters who move frequently (primarily college students) to vote by provisional ballot.    Creates new strict time requirements on collection and processing of new voter registration forms and imposes fines on groups and individuals that register new voters. This change is designed to limit the ability of people and organizations to conduct non-partisan, civic voter registration campaigns. As a result, some groups such as The League of Women Voters to stop all voter registration efforts statewide.  Third party voter registration organizations such as the League of Women Voters register substantial number of new voters, a significant portion of which are minority voters.    Florida’s new Rules of Executive Clemency -- Impact the Restoration of Voting and Civil Rights  Will keep thousands or tens of thousands of taxpaying citizens who have served their time for a felony conviction from being able to vote.    Added new mandatory waiting periods of five and seven years before a person can apply for restoration of voting rights – making the actual waiting period stretch to eight or 13 years for a determination.  Removed the “automatic” application process to apply for voting rights – placing the burden on the individual.   For more information contact: Howard Simon Executive Director American Civil Liberties Union of Florida | www.aclufl.org 4500 Biscayne Blvd., suite 340, Miami, FL 33137 T/786.363.2706; HSi...@aclufl.org   SAMPLE LETTER: COPY THE FOLLOWING LETTER IN WORD, PRINT ON YOUR LETTERHEAD, SIGN AND MAIL SO ATTORNEY GENERAL HOLDER RECEIVES IT BEFORE AUGUST 8TH:   Sample Letter (Voter Suppression Bill)   DATE   Eric Holder United States Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530-0001    Regarding: Changes to Florida’s Voting Laws   Dear Attorney General Holder:  Your office is currently reviewing changes to Florida’s elections laws for their compliance with the Voting Rights Act. This new law, which is already being enforced in Florida, has made it harder for all voters – but especially racial minorities – to register to vote, to cast a ballot and to have that vote counted. I’m writing to ask that your office block these changes in Florida so every voter may enjoy equal access to the ballot box. Florida’s new voting law cuts early voting options dramatically and includes a new outright ban on early voting on the Sunday before Election Day. These are dramatic cuts to early voting – cutting by 40% the number of days Counties may offer this opportunity. This cut severely limits access to the ballot by many minority communities who relied on it in higher percentages than non-minority voters in previous elections. Voters who move between counties and who need to update their address on Election Day will be required to vote by provisional ballots which are easier to challenge and are only counted about half the time. This change specifically targets college age voters and racial and language minorities who, studies show, move more often than the average voter. In addition, community-based voter registration efforts in many minority communities have been suspended or cancelled because of the new law’s restrictions and fines for organizations and volunteers who register new voters. The result has been restricted access to voter participation. After your review, I am confident you will conclude that these changes will negatively impact voting opportunities for minority citizens in Florida and should NOT be approved as consistent with the requirements of the Voting Rights Act. I ask, Attorney General Holder, that you keep Florida’s elections fair and open to everyone. Sincerely,   [SIGNED]   cc: Chris Herren, Chief, Voting Section, Civil Rights Division Room 7254 – NWB, U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20530      unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences | view email in browser

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