OK, McCrabby admits he does not get this one (maybe a reader will help out)..
There must be something McCrabby isn't seeing, because he has to show ID to check out a library book, and declare citizenship to drive across the bridge to Ontario. So readers, please help the understanding here - McCrabby understands that this seems to be a political issue, a republican vs democratic question, a conservative / liberal issue. But, to McCrabby it seems to be a common sense matter. McCrabby must be missing something. Help!!
Here is the issue.....
Each Michigan voter will not be required to verify whether they are a U.S. citizen when they go to polls in November to cast ballots in the a national election. A federal judge, on Friday, ruled that requiring such a box to be checked "could cause confusion and delays at the polls." Really?? They aren't asking you to PROVE IT --- just affirm it.
Let's get this straight. Keeping in mind that it is a felony for a non-citizen to vote, we are not even allowed to ask if a voter is getting ready to commit a felony. "It is really a burden on the right to vote in terms of slowing things down, in terms of confusion," U.S. District Judge Paul D. Borman said in his preliminary ruling.
The judge said as an alternative to the citizenship questions, signs advising people that only U.S. citizens can vote could be posted at polling places. Why wouldn't that be just as confusing to voters? In fact, why is ANY of that confusing to voters? And, if non-citizens are about to vote, wouldn't it be better if we prevented a felony? Wouldn't it be helpful to stop crime before it happens?
In the lawsuit that was filed to stop this practice of asking the citizenship question, a coalition that includes the American Civil Liberties Union, says the boxes are unconstitutional and violate federal and state law. Really?? Really??? By preventing "felony-voting?" Oh, come on...
It has been estimated that Michigan has as many as 4,000 registered voters who are not U.S. citizens. While that's a small number, it could definitely have an impact on a state election. And, it's NOT LEGAL!!!
What argument did lawyers (ah, now we begin to see the problem) use to block the question? "Our evidence shows there will be many jurisdictions where the voters will not be asked to check the citizenship box, others where they will be asked, if there is no injunction," a lawyer argued. "There will be this hitch." OMG, we would not want a "hitch."
Voting clerks have been told that if they still have the old forms, with the citizenship question on it, they should "use a dark marker to block it out." That seems so much better, and so much less-confusing.
Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer added, "Having the check box removed will allow Michigan voters to exercise their democratic rights without unnecessary confusion and intimidation. All in all, today is a good day for democracy in Michigan."
In a similar case, on Tuesday, a Pennsylvania judge granted an injunction against Pennsylvania's voter ID law that would require all voters to have a photo ID to cast a ballot. It must be a another good day for democracy in Pennsylvania, too. Would you get me a beer? Oh wait, I don't have my ID with me.
Well that seems about right. McCrabby wonders why he should have to show ID, or declare citizenship, when he's stopped for a traffic infraction, checks out a library book, orders a drink, cashes a check, or crosses the border. He's aghast, and he's not even committing a felony. McCrabby is for equal rights, but.... but... but... Wait, let me call my attorney. There was a lot of confusion last time I cashed a check.
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There must be something McCrabby isn't seeing, because he has to show ID to check out a library book, and declare citizenship to drive across the bridge to Ontario. So readers, please help the understanding here - McCrabby understands that this seems to be a political issue, a republican vs democratic question, a conservative / liberal issue. But, to McCrabby it seems to be a common sense matter. McCrabby must be missing something. Help!!
Here is the issue.....
Each Michigan voter will not be required to verify whether they are a U.S. citizen when they go to polls in November to cast ballots in the a national election. A federal judge, on Friday, ruled that requiring such a box to be checked "could cause confusion and delays at the polls." Really?? They aren't asking you to PROVE IT --- just affirm it.Let's get this straight. Keeping in mind that it is a felony for a non-citizen to vote, we are not even allowed to ask if a voter is getting ready to commit a felony. "It is really a burden on the right to vote in terms of slowing things down, in terms of confusion," U.S. District Judge Paul D. Borman said in his preliminary ruling.
The judge said as an alternative to the citizenship questions, signs advising people that only U.S. citizens can vote could be posted at polling places. Why wouldn't that be just as confusing to voters? In fact, why is ANY of that confusing to voters? And, if non-citizens are about to vote, wouldn't it be better if we prevented a felony? Wouldn't it be helpful to stop crime before it happens?
In the lawsuit that was filed to stop this practice of asking the citizenship question, a coalition that includes the American Civil Liberties Union, says the boxes are unconstitutional and violate federal and state law. Really?? Really??? By preventing "felony-voting?" Oh, come on...
It has been estimated that Michigan has as many as 4,000 registered voters who are not U.S. citizens. While that's a small number, it could definitely have an impact on a state election. And, it's NOT LEGAL!!!
What argument did lawyers (ah, now we begin to see the problem) use to block the question? "Our evidence shows there will be many jurisdictions where the voters will not be asked to check the citizenship box, others where they will be asked, if there is no injunction," a lawyer argued. "There will be this hitch." OMG, we would not want a "hitch."
Voting clerks have been told that if they still have the old forms, with the citizenship question on it, they should "use a dark marker to block it out." That seems so much better, and so much less-confusing.
Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer added, "Having the check box removed will allow Michigan voters to exercise their democratic rights without unnecessary confusion and intimidation. All in all, today is a good day for democracy in Michigan."
In a similar case, on Tuesday, a Pennsylvania judge granted an injunction against Pennsylvania's voter ID law that would require all voters to have a photo ID to cast a ballot. It must be a another good day for democracy in Pennsylvania, too. Would you get me a beer? Oh wait, I don't have my ID with me.
Well that seems about right. McCrabby wonders why he should have to show ID, or declare citizenship, when he's stopped for a traffic infraction, checks out a library book, orders a drink, cashes a check, or crosses the border. He's aghast, and he's not even committing a felony. McCrabby is for equal rights, but.... but... but... Wait, let me call my attorney. There was a lot of confusion last time I cashed a check.
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