Photo voter ID bill returns to Ohio legislature

“A group of conservative Ohio House members said Wednesday they will again try to pass a bill to require voters to present photo identification at the polls.”

In a state where dozens of recent elections were decided by one vote or tied, bill sponsor Rep. Andrew Brenner is right that “even a rare occasion” of voter fraud “can impact an election.”

Maine Senate OKs photo voter ID bill

“The Republican-controlled chamber voted 18-17 in favor of the bill Wednesday. It now heads to the Democratic-led House.”

Texas appeals to 5th Circuit to uphold photo voter ID law

State says “no showing of any voter not able to vote;” Judge raps plaintiffs’ “rankest speculation” about discriminatory intent

The Justice Department’s war on Texas’ photo voter ID law was back in court Tuesday with questions focused on remedies and intent:

Judge Catharina Haynes, one of three judges hearing the Texas case at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, suggested in questioning that the matter should perhaps be sent back to the district court for further consideration… Haynes also noted that a statewide election took place in Texas last year under the requirements of the new law, which was being enforced while the appeal was pending. “Shouldn’t we look at the last election?”

Citing “some clearly erroneous fact-finding” in U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos’ decision, Texas Solicitor General Scott Keller told the court there has been “no showing of any voter not able to vote because of Senate Bill 14,” and nothing in the record to suggest an intent to discriminate.

[Chief Judge Carl] Stewart said “strong circumstantial evidence” is a typical standard in proving discrimination cases.  But the judges also questioned the plaintiffs’ partial reliance on testimony from lawmakers opposed to the law to prove the Legislature’s intention to discriminate.

“Using the evidence about what the opponents of the law thought proponents thought,” Haynes said, “just seems like the rankest speculation.”

True The Vote This Week 4/24/15

Fighting for Citizenship Checks in Voter Registration

True the Vote joined forces this week to fight for citizenship verification in voter registration before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Public Integrity Legal Foundation, on behalf of the American Civil Rights Union, filed an amicus brief urging SCOTUS take the case Kobach v. EAC to bring about citizenship checks in some states. A central point offered in support of the appeal cites True the Vote research demonstrating how individuals admitted to be noncitizens on their voter registration applications, yet received registered status with the State of Texas all the same. True the Vote Founder Catherine Engelbrecht hailed the effort in a release this week.

“This filing will hopefully prove a testament to just how much can be accomplished when concerned citizens, legal foundations and public officials work toward the goal of improved election integrity,” True the Vote Founder Catherine Engelbrecht said. “It’s truly satisfying to know that the hard work of regular citizens could potentially inspire citizenship verification in voter registration.”

Click here to read more.

 

A Quick Thanks from TTV

Fresh voter roll data continues to come in from all across the country and is making its way into the TTV Research Database. Every now and then, we all need some perspective to understand just how large of a task we’ve undertaken. The raw public data purchased from states alone – not logged IT hours or other expenses related to building a national database – costs roughly $180,000 per year. If you have not heard it lately, THANK YOU for building the True the Vote Movement with us.

There’s a New Attorney General in Town

The nation has a new Attorney General as U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch was confirmed on Capitol Hill this week. As you may recall, TTV Founder Catherine Engelbrecht testified before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary earlier this year during confirmation hearings. You can catch video highlights of the testimony here. With a new AG will come renewed expectations that election laws are applied fully and equitably. Stay tuned to TTV as this issue develops.

 

On-Demand Research Training is Now Available

The demand for Research Database training has gone through the roof. Since our live training system caps the number of attendees per session, TTV has created an on-demand option for anyone interested. By either visiting the truethevote.org homepage or clicking here, you can get started with on-demand training.

 

The Legislative Working Group’s Drawing Board

Email us if there is election reform legislation on the move in your state that you’d like to see passed/defeated.

Florida

HB 1011 / SB 1360 -- Defines "address of legal residence"; requires voter registration application to include applicant's address of legal residence; provides that list of valid addresses maintained by supervisor of elections must include certain additional distinguishing information. The bill needs the support of Floridians to see it through to adoption.

Maryland

Election Integrity Maryland has created a section on its website to detail all the work being done for election reform legislation. Click here to access it.

Missouri

HB 30 -- Would require a government-issued photo ID. Provisions are made if an individual is unable to obtain the necessary documentation to obtain such an ID. The bill has been voted on by the House and is now going through the process in the Senate. If approved by the Senate, voters must approve the bill as an amendment to the Missouri Constitution.

HB 67 -- Allows military personnel or other government workers returning from overseas to register to vote until 5pm on the Friday prior to an election, provided he or she can show sufficient documentation showing eligibility to qualify for late registration. The bill is awaiting a vote of the full House.

 

HB 339 -- Would remove a copy of a current utility bill or bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that contains the name and address of the voter from the list of acceptable forms of identification to allow a qualified voter to vote. The bill has been referred to the full House for passage.

 

HB 1016 -- Would allow poll challengers/watchers to remain inside the polling station past the closing of the polls and until all counting, verification, breakdown and delivery of the voting material to the designated collection points or the election authority is completed. This bill has now been added as an amendment to HB 336 and is waiting for a 3rd reading and referral to the full House for a vote.

 

Texas

HB 621 – Relates to the termination of a volunteer deputy voter registrar’s appointment. Under the bill, county election officials would be empowered to revoke deputy status should they engage in any activity considered to be a violation of duties. Contact members of the House Committee on Elections to share your SUPPORT for this bill.

SB 796 -- Relating to the use of information from the lists of noncitizens excused or disqualified from jury service. The bill would make records of individuals claiming non-citizenship as justification to be excused from jury duty a matter of public record – significantly easing the process for concerned citizens to assist in voter roll cleanup. Contact members of the Senate Committee on State Affairs to share your SUPPORT for this bill.

HB 891 – This bill was sent to calendars on April 15, 2015. Relating to establishing an interstate voter registration crosscheck program.

HB 3369 -- Relating to supervision of the conduct of a primary election; creating an offense. Contact members of the House Committee on Elections to share your SUPPORT for this bill.

Man could get 3 1/2 years in prison for voter fraud in Wisconsin Recall Election

 A 26-year-old Custer man is expected to be charged with election fraud next month after he’s accused of voting in the 2012 Wisconsin Recall Election— Something he could not do because his voting privileges were revoked due to a conviction for a felony offense.  According to the criminal complaint Frank Erno voted at the Sharon Town Hall on June 5, 2012. Erno was listed as ineligible to vote from August 23, 2011 to November 4, 2014. Court documents state Erno was on probation during the time of the alleged incident, and was aware he could not vote until he completed the terms and conditions of his sentence. Erno is expected to be formally charged May 4. If convicted he faces a maximum sentence of 3.5 years in prison.  Link to story.

A 26-year-old Custer man is expected to be charged with election fraud next month after he

TRUE THE VOTE COMMENDS AMICUS FILING IN NONCITIZEN VOTER REGISTRATION LAWSUIT

Cited TTV Analysis Demonstrates Need for Citizenship Checks Sought in Kobach v. EAC

HOUSTON, TX. -- April 21, 2015: True the Vote (TTV), the nation's leading voters’ rights and election integrity organization, today offered full support for an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, urging an appeal be granted for Kobach, et al. v. Election Assistance Commission, et al. (Case no. 14-1164). The brief cites TTV research demonstrating that admitted noncitizens were able to register to vote.

In late 2010, True the Vote uncovered numerous cases of apparent fraud in Harris County, Texas, where individuals professed non-citizenship when completing voter registration forms and were eventually placed on the voter roll. Researchers also exposed cases of voters claiming both foreign and U.S. citizenship statuses – all making their way onto the registry. A sampling of findings was furnished to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for further review, yet no clear action was taken thereafter.

True the Vote’s citizen research was cited to counter recent DOJ claims that current enforcement of federal laws pertaining to voter registration does not warrant added citizenship verification.

“This filing will hopefully prove a testament to just how much can be accomplished when concerned citizens, legal foundations and public officials work toward the goal of improved election integrity,” True the Vote Founder Catherine Engelbrecht said. “It’s truly satisfying to know that the hard work of regular citizens could potentially inspire citizenship verification in voter registration.”

The amicus brief in Kobach v. EAC was filed by the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) on behalf of the American Civil Rights Union (ACRU).

True the Vote has a track record of supporting the plaintiffs of the federal lawsuit. In 2013, Kansas, Arizona and Georgia requested that the Election Assistance Commission amend instructions for those applying for voter registration to provide proof of citizenship. During the public comment period, the EAC acknowledged True the Vote’s analysis that such a requirement would be predictable – particularly for new U.S. citizens – given similar requirements throughout North America.

A copy of the amicus briefing may be found here.

 

True the Vote (TTV) is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) voters’ rights  organization, founded to inspire and equip voters for involvement at every stage of our electoral process. TTV empowers organizations and individuals across the nation to actively protect the rights of legitimate voters, regardless of their political party affiliation. For more information, please visit www.truethevote.org.

VoteStand is now available for both iOS (Apple) and Android devices free of charge. For more detailed technical information, visit the official VoteStand website at www.votestand.com.

###

TRUE THE VOTE COMMENDS AMICUS FILING IN NONCITIZEN VOTER REGISTRATION LAWSUIT

Cited TTV Analysis Demonstrates Need for Citizenship Checks Sought in Kobach v. EAC

HOUSTON, TX. -- April 21, 2015: True the Vote (TTV), the nation's leading voters’ rights and election integrity organization, today offered full support for an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, urging an appeal be granted for Kobach, et al. v. Election Assistance Commission, et al. (Case no. 14-1164). The brief cites TTV research demonstrating that admitted noncitizens were able to register to vote.

In late 2010, True the Vote uncovered numerous cases of apparent fraud in Harris County, Texas, where individuals professed non-citizenship when completing voter registration forms and were eventually placed on the voter roll. Researchers also exposed cases of voters claiming both foreign and U.S. citizenship statuses – all making their way onto the registry. A sampling of findings was furnished to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for further review, yet no clear action was taken thereafter.

True the Vote’s citizen research was cited to counter recent DOJ claims that current enforcement of federal laws pertaining to voter registration does not warrant added citizenship verification.

“This filing will hopefully prove a testament to just how much can be accomplished when concerned citizens, legal foundations and public officials work toward the goal of improved election integrity,” True the Vote Founder Catherine Engelbrecht said. “It’s truly satisfying to know that the hard work of regular citizens could potentially inspire citizenship verification in voter registration.”

The amicus brief in Kobach v. EAC was filed by the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) on behalf of the American Civil Rights Union (ACRU).

True the Vote has a track record of supporting the plaintiffs of the federal lawsuit. In 2013, Kansas, Arizona and Georgia requested that the Election Assistance Commission amend instructions for those applying for voter registration to provide proof of citizenship. During the public comment period, the EAC acknowledged True the Vote’s analysis that such a requirement would be predictable – particularly for new U.S. citizens – given similar requirements throughout North America.

A copy of the amicus briefing may be found here.

 

True the Vote (TTV) is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) voters’ rights  organization, founded to inspire and equip voters for involvement at every stage of our electoral process. TTV empowers organizations and individuals across the nation to actively protect the rights of legitimate voters, regardless of their political party affiliation. For more information, please visit www.truethevote.org.

VoteStand is now available for both iOS (Apple) and Android devices free of charge. For more detailed technical information, visit the official VoteStand website at www.votestand.com.

###

Election Board requests criminal investigation of voter fraud allegations in overturned Perth Amboy election

The Middlesex County Board of Elections has asked for a criminal investigation into voter fraud allegations involving Perth Amboy’s Democrat chairwoman Leslie Dominguez-Rodriguez, which led a judge to overturn the November election of a city councilman.

Last month, when a Superior Court judge tossed November’s election results for a City Council seat, she also slammed the city’s Democratic chairwoman for engaging in possible vote-by-mail fraud and taking advantage of frail nursing home residents.

Leslie Dominguez-Rodriguez stepped down from her leadership role two days later, but it was still back to business as usual. A day or so after the ruling, Dominguez-Rodriguez went to the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office in New Brunswick and tried to take out a thousand vote-by-mail ballot applications, MyCentralJersey.com has learned.

The New York Times REALLY wants the Obama DOJ to have control over state elections

Editorial Page of the New York Times is obsessed with giving control and veto of election laws to the Obama Department of Justice.

“Revisiting the Lessons from the Voter ID Experience in Kansas: 2014″

A new Heritage Study on the positive impact of photo ID in Kansas.

The voter turnout data in Kansas in the 2014 congressional midterm and 2012 presidential elections once again show that the claims by opponents of voter identification are wrong. There is no evidence that the turnout of Kansas voters was suppressed or affected in a negative way by the state’s voter ID requirement. In fact, it may have had a very slight positive effect.

Link

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