U.S. Democrats launch push to expand voting access

[okaawhatever]

(Reuters) - With the help of former President Bill Clinton, the Democratic Party launched a national drive on Thursday to expand voting opportunities and fight back against what it calls restrictive voting laws.

The program will establish permanent procedures and staff in each state to help register and educate voters, and work with local officials to expand access to the polls in the November midterm elections and beyond.

Voting laws have been the subject of bitter partisan fights since 2011, when a wave of Republican-sponsored state laws began to impose stricter identification requirements on voters or restrict access, including by cutting back on early voting sites and hours.

"Today, there is no greater assault on our core values than the rampant efforts to restrict the right to vote," Clinton said in a video released by the party.

Democratic National Committee officials said the program, announced at the start of their winter meeting, would vary by state depending on state laws and the local political climate. It will provide a network of voter advocates and legal help to protect voting access.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/27/us-usa-politics-democrats-idUSBREA1Q2DE20140227

[Gothmog]

1. I just signed up

I was on the DNC voter protection team/mailing list back in 2010 and 2012.

I heard that the DNC was sending a person to Texas to head up a voter operation. Will Haller (the executive director of the party) has ask if I would participate in this program.

[okaawhatever]

2. Awesome, and it was just announced so I bet we'll be seeing a lot more activity. nt