In Florida 48,000 registered voters will have their right to vote challenged right before the 2004 election. Two-thirds of them are Democrats and way more than half of them are people of color.
Only after CNN filed a lawsuit seeking access to the list did George W. Bush's brother Governor Jeb Bush agree that local registrars ought to use the list as a "guide" for reviewing the eligibility of voters. But now local registrars are complaining that they lack the time and resources to review the list and that, in any case, they are not competent to conduct what amount to criminal background checks. "That's like asking your doctor to do your taxes," said one registrar interviewed on CNN.
If they want to ensure the outcome while maintaining the appearance of free and open elections, there's a much easier way. We're already doing it in Iraq where the U.S. appointed election council has the power to ban political parties and other activities of insurgent groups. Given Flordia's sorry history of conducting elections, maybe they ought to try it.
Tampa Tribune: Counties Pressed To Verify Felon List
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