Politics at Play
Is Florida's Voter Registration Law Fair? (VIDEO)
by The Stir Bloggers on August 3, 2012 at 11:34 AM
Dawn Quarles is a high school government teacher in Pensacola, Florida, who made national headlines when she was fined for registering her students to vote. The fine was a result of violating Florida's new voter registration law, which requires voter registration forms to be turned in within 48 hours.
As part of our Moms Matter "Swing State" Road Trip, we heard Dawn's and her students' story firsthand and took an in depth look at Florida House Bill 1355 -- a law that very well could influence the outcome of the Presidential election this fall.
Take a watch:
What are your thoughts on voter registration laws like the one in Florida? Are they going to be effective against voter fraud or are they a political tool to target voter groups?
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Comments
191-10 of 19 comments
Guest
Why are "third parties" even involved at all?
What possible legitimate, non-nefarious reason could there possibly be to allow "third parties" to even handle, much less posses and fail to turn completed voter registration forms promptly?
A few years ago, I picked up a voter registration form for a friend and gave it to her. I obtained it at the post office, and it was attached to a "postage paid" envelope. Same thing if you get one at the DMV. There was absolutely no reason for a "third party" to handle the paperwork at all.
I find it interesting that it is assumed that all voter registrations that are obtained using techniques that involve "funny business" are presumed to be democrat voters...
mleilanim
Guest
Guest
That is why I opposed "Motor Voter".
First, it kept it legitimate.
Second, if you can't be bothered to go through a process that is in reality less trouble than renewing your drivers license, you are probably not all that inclined to research and study the issues. Someone who can barely be bothered to sign one extra form while waiting in line at the DMV is also likely to be the one who is an unmotivated idiot who will just cast a ballot for whoever their favorite Jersey Shore star said was "cool"...
Once again, interesting that that too was a left/right issue...
Autumnleaves87
"We can't beat Obama on our own so let's make it harder for his supporters to.vote!!" What a great idea. NOT.
And calling this teacher an enabler is a joke too. When I just turned 18 in high school I had no idea where to go to register to vote, but luckily my senior issues teacher brought forms for us and educated his students about where to register, when and where to vote, ect ect. This "enabling" you're talking about is actually a great opportunity to educate first time voters.
We don't just POP out of the womb knowing how to feed ourselves and how to register to vote. Duh.
These laws are out there for one thing: Repubs know Obamas base and they are trying to keep them from voting.
I say democrats take voting booths and put them at the top of Mt Shasta. That would hopefully keep old rich white dudes from voting.
PonyChaser
Ok, first comment is WAY off topic: Lindsay, what the heck? DRIVING while you're making this video??? Your eyes were on the camera more than they were on the road! Park next time, please. I like your writing. I don't want you to do it from the hospital!!
Jespren
These laws apply equally to everyone, they are just as much in force for the white conservative disabled grandma who relies on public transportation and has no drivers license as for the 18 year old Latino liberal who has to watch his younger siblings every day after school. Legal U.S. citizens of legal age have a right to vote, that does not mean they have a 'right' to have a ballot hand delivered in a gold envelope by a courier who will happily wait to hand deliver it back to the ballot drop off (same for voters registration).
PonyChaser
On topic. Interesting how 18-year old students are capable of researching, applying for, and getting into a college all on their own. They are also capable of obtaining scholarships and loans to pay for that college education.
They are capable of researching the material for tests that they need to pass in order to graduate from school so they can attend those colleges. They are capable of looking up a plethora of information on the web, from their favorite drink mix to what time their favorit sport is being broadcast during Olympic coverage, to whether an iPad or another tablet would suit them best. They can research and figure out what car to buy, what apartment to rent, and what dorm to live in. They can order pizzas online, and figure out how to get a job. They can get their drivers' licenses and register for Selective Service. All without the help of a teacher.
But when it comes to registering to vote, suddenly they are helpless babies who can't figure out how/where to get the forms? They can't figure out how to complete them on their own and mail them in? Or drive them to the building and take an oath?
Sorry, folks. Rules are put in place for a reason. Even if there wasn't one single documented case of voter fraud in FL, it has been plenty documented around the rest of the country, and I don't blame FL one bit for being proactive.
It's not racist. It's common freaking sense. So is requiring an ID when you show up to vote.
Guest
And unlike you, I made up nothing, about either the ACORN fraud nor about fraudulent voting numbers. Google it. Either that, or see if they give you any information about it on the back of your DMV paperwork...
"We can't beat Romney on our own so let's make it easier to cheat!!" What a great idea. NOT.
(sorry to inject truth and reality into your rant)
Unbelievable. My side is simply saying "Keep it fair", your side wants to eliminate even slightest safeguards to prevent fraud; and somehow in your... er... "mind" my side is the one that is trying to "cheat"?
Wanna know what I really think? We should change it from "one warm body, one vote" to "one IQ point, one vote". Though granted, that would be the end of your party...
wamom223
Ponychaser said everything I wanted to say. Thanks.