BREAKING: Department Of Justice Sues Florida Over Voter Purge

[bigtree]

from ThinkProgress: http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/06/11/497934/breaking-department-of-justice-sues-florida-over-voter-purge/


U.S. Justice Department is suing Florida after the state disregarded the federal government’s request to suspend its voter purge campaign. In a letter to the Florida Secretary of State, Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez argues that Florida is violating the National Voter Registration Act and the Voting Rights Act. “Please immediately cease this unlawful conduct,” Perez writes.

full text of the letter: http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/florida.pdf

"Because the State has demonstrated its unwillingness to comply with these requirements, I have authorized the initiation of an enforcement action against Florida in federal court."

[spanone]

1. k&r...

[gordianot]

2. Just wondering what is the penalty for a State and individuals violating the Voting Rights Act?

At least Fort Sumter was a little more direct last time.

[HooptieWagon]

3. Difficult to say.

Certainly it would result in the entire state being required to have preclearance from the DOJ before making voting changes, up from the current 5 counties. And perhaps NG or Marines will have to be on standby to insure people are allowed access to the polls. And it may result in the state having greater exposure to individual lawsuits filed under the VRA and MVRA. As for penalties against Scott and Detzner, there probably wont be any, sorry to say.

[bigtree]

6. that would be a hell of a prize

I've been thinking that Florida's balking would open them up that much more to the scrutiny and control of the Justice Dept. over their elections process. Of course, the courts would mostly decide to what degree. I'll bet that Justice is already looking into ways they can fulfill those types of directives you describe, in anticipation of a positive ruling.

[bigtree]

4. I think this still applies

Voting Rights Act of 1965

SEC. 12. (a) Whoever shall deprive or attempt to deprive any person of any right secured by section 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, or 10 or shall violate section 11(a) or (b), shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

But, I think that a judge is going to ultimately rule on this, so I would think there would be sanctions for disobeying the judge's order. I'm not sure how Justice can penalize Florida for something which hasn't been ruled on. I'm not sure if they can attach some penalty for ignoring their earlier request to stop the purge, after the court has ruled. That doesn't seem likely. Section 5 is a process, more than it is a hammer for the Justice Dept. The courts should have the final word on whatever coercive or penalizing actions are ultimately taken, if any. But, I'm sure someone with more knowledge than I have will flesh this all out.

[Bake]

5. I hope they're asking for an immediate injunction!

Otherwise, there's no point. This will take a couple of years to get through the courts, and November is rapdly coming.

Bake

[tblue]

10. Oh geez. Really?

Sigh. Please let there be justice! I thought (well, I hoped anyway) a really sharp administration like this would be all over this crap right from Day 1. I actually fully expected they would have immediately acted to correct the purging, caging, and manipulation that started the 2000 election.

[Chorophyll]

7. K&R. nt

[Dirty Socialist]

8. About Fucking Time! n/t

[morningfog]

9. Recommend!

[Liberal_Dog]

11. K & R

[Lost-in-FL]

12. I am FUMING here at home.

I just received the bullshit request to update my voting records. The first question it asks is "Are you a citizen of the United States" SERIOUSLY????????????????????????????? STOP WASTING MY TIME AND TAX PAYERS MONEY ON BULLSHIT PAPERWORK!!!!!!!!!!

Is this how they are purging voters cause if that is how... they almost did lose my vote. I almost trashed this letter today by accident!!!!!!



I am afraid this is not enough to stop FL GOP scum. But it is a start.

[monmouth]

17. I'm registered as an I (I did that purposely) and received a shiny new voter ID card...LOL..n/t

[malaise]

13. K & R

Great news

[flamingdem]

14. Let's hope the penalty is

death by firing squad, I mean you know sometimes they don't update these things from olden days.

[Doctor_J]

15. I thought the job of the DoJ was to arrest people, not sue them

This is largely symbolic, and worthless, since it will be months before anything happens. What they should do is arrest Scott and the SoS and anyone else involved in the purge. Let them stay in lock-up until the election is over.

[Initech]

16. Good news everyone! Hope the Koch dipshits are taken down with Rick Scott.

[freshwest]

18. K & R. No repeat of 2000.