Voter Supression by Republicans in Fairfax County, VA

[HipChick]

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/david46/2009/10/vote-supression-by-republicans.php?ref=recdc

I received about 2 hours ago in the mail a card from the Fairfaz County Republican Committee signed by Anthony Bedell, their Chairman. It starts "Dear Absentee Voter" and does on and suggests at one point to call them at 703-766-4467 if I have questions about absentee voting.


There are a couple of problems with this missive. I have not requested an absentee ballot. I did a "walk-in" vote earlier this week in conformity with VA law. I always vote and am a notorious yellow dog Democrat. I am on the "Webb List." VA does not have party registration, but there is what is called the "Webb List." The "Webb List" consists of those people who voted in the primary that nominated Jim Webb for the US Senate. Nothing else was on the ballot, and these voters are considered to be the hardest of the hard core Democratic voters. The data is readily available. It is reasonable to assume anyone on this list will vote Tuesday and vote a straight ticket. This card is designed to create confusion. Although I am knowlegable about VA election law, I had to think for a minute about whether I would be challenged.

If any recipient calls the Republican Committee you can bet they will be told that they cannot vote Tuesday because they are on the absentee list. There are other lies they will tell to keep people from voting.

What you can do. If you know a VA voter, forward this to them, and if they have received such a mailing and need reassurance, they should call their local Democratic Party (check the telephone book) or the Democratic Party of VA in Richmond or check their web site. Most VA counties have good and accurate voting information on their web sites.


During "walk in" voting in Fairfax County which ends at 5 PM Oct 31,2009, there have been numerous attempts by Republican poll watchers to supress voting. For example, a voter comes in, is listed on the voting register as legal, the voter does not have the identification specified by VA law but states his/her name and address as listed on the register, the Republican will "demand" they go back and return with a "legal" ID. VA law, however, in this precise situation provides for the voter to sign an "Affirmation of Identity" and vote on the regular machine.

[Tim01]

1. I'll vote tomorrow. It should be a very close race.

Well........... I'll vote tomorrow anyway.

[williesgirl]

2. If they're pulling this shit in Fairfax County, can you guess what's happening elsewhere in the

state? Fairfax voters are pretty well educated, but the Repukes have a great fear if Dems come out in numbers tomorrow there. That asshole McWhatever will lose if this happens.