The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog:
Dear Editor,
The old saying is that if you don't like the law, then change it.
But in New Jersey, persons incarcerated, on parole, or probation for an indictable offense (felony) are unable to legally vote. In our state 164,100 people are under the noose of the racist, discriminatory prison industrial complex - with 37,600 of them in a cage, behind bars (Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2013).
A small number of these people may be behind bars or under supervision for a disorderly persons offense (misdemeanor), but most have been convicted of an indictable offense (felony) and therefore aren't allowed to vote.
We must change the law to remove this unjust barrier to voting by allowing convicted persons to vote. Incarcerated persons should be registered to vote from their last residence (or location of homelessness). Additionally, these newly eligible voters must also be allowed to be candidates for elected office.
On paper America has abolished slavery, but unequal enforcement, police misconduct, and poverty leading to felony convictions have become the new Jim Crow against people of color and other enemies of the state.
Besides, as Bridgegate has once again proven, New Jersey is already run by criminals.
Rev. Dr. Eric Hafner
Former Congressional Candidate
Toms River, NJ
Showing posts with label voting rights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label voting rights. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
New Jersey Failing to Offer Voter Registration to Low-Income Residents
Dēmos
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2013
National Voting Rights Groups Put Lt. Gov. Guadagno and DHS on Notice for Violations of Federal Law
TRENTON, NJ - October 1 - Citing clear evidence that numerous low-income New Jersey residents have been denied the opportunity to register to vote, attorneys from Rutgers Constitutional Law Clinic, Project Vote, Demos, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the NAACP have issued official notice to Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, as well as the state’s Department of Human Services (DHS), that the state is not in compliance with the requirements of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA).
The notification letter, sent today on behalf of the New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP, calls on Guadagno and DHS to take corrective action necessary to bring New Jersey into compliance with the NVRA by offering voter registration opportunities at public assistance agencies or to face possible litigation.
Commonly known as the “Motor Voter” law, the NVRA requires motor vehicle agencies, as well as public assistance agencies that provide services such as Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other benefits, to proactively offer voter registration services to their clients. Since the implementation of the NVRA, an estimated 141 million Americans have applied to get on the voter rolls through the registration services the NVRA requires at motor vehicle agencies, disability offices, and public assistance agencies.
The notice letter cites evidence that public assistance agencies in New Jersey are neglecting to consistently offer voter registration services to their clients, and are therefore failing to carry out their responsibilities under the NVRA. As discussed in the notice letter, there has been a significant decline in the number of voter registration applications from New Jersey public assistance agencies since 1995, despite a sharp increase in the number of persons seeking public assistance. Investigations at county welfare agencies also showed a lack of compliance with the law. Discussions with both clients and agency staff confirmed that voter registration services were not consistently offered as required by the NVRA.
“Public assistance agencies are a vital component of the voter registration system because they connect with Americans, including low-income individuals and persons with disabilities, who are less likely to register through other means,” said Sarah Brannon, director of the Public Agency Registration Program at Project Vote.
Frank Askin of the Rutgers Constitutional Law Clinic says, “We have been trying since 2010 to bring New Jersey into compliance with the law. The Division of Human Services initially acknowledged the problem and announced an Implementation Plan to correct it. But, unfortunately, that plan was never carried out.”
“The NVRA tasks all states, including New Jersey, with promoting and protecting one of the most fundamental freedoms of our democracy,” said Dave Rubino, Counsel at Demos. “Voting is the means by which Americans, regardless of class or race, control their lives and their futures. Right now, New Jersey is falling short on this task.”
“Our work to ensure that states offer voter registration at public assistance agencies as required by the NVRA helps to guarantee that convenient voter registration opportunities are accessible to all eligible citizens,” said Robert Kengle, co-director of the Voting Rights Project at the Lawyers’ Committee.
“Due to New Jersey’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the NVRA, the indigent are less likely to register to vote,” said James Harris, president of the New Jersey State Conference of NAACP. “True democracy requires the participation of all citizens regardless of race or income. It is unfortunate and unacceptable for elected officials to disregard laws and allow policies that diminish opportunities for minority and poor citizens to exercise the basic right to vote. The State Conference is committed to doing everything possible to educate, organize, and mobilize all citizens who are eligible to vote.”
In the past several years, lawsuits filed by voting rights groups have forced other states neglecting the NVRA into compliance with dramatic results. For example, Missouri public assistance agencies received more than 500,000 applications in the four years following a successful court action to improve compliance in that state. Prior to a 2008 court order, the state had averaged fewer than 8,000 per year. And, after a similar case was settled in Ohio in 2009, voter registration applications from public assistance agencies in the state increased from an average of 25,000 applications per year to more than 200,000 per year.
The voting rights groups urge the state to take immediate action to bring New Jersey into compliance with the NVRA, and offer to work cooperatively with DHS to develop a plan to do so.
###
A multi-issue national organization, Demos combines research, policy development, and advocacy to influence public debates and catalyze change. We publish books, reports, and briefing papers that illuminate critical problems and advance innovative solutions; work at both the national and state level with advocates and policymakers to promote reforms; help to build the capacity and skills of key progressive constituencies; project our values into the media by promoting Demos Fellows and staff in print, broadcast, and Internet venues; and host public events that showcase new ideas and leading progressive voices.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2013
National Voting Rights Groups Put Lt. Gov. Guadagno and DHS on Notice for Violations of Federal Law
TRENTON, NJ - October 1 - Citing clear evidence that numerous low-income New Jersey residents have been denied the opportunity to register to vote, attorneys from Rutgers Constitutional Law Clinic, Project Vote, Demos, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the NAACP have issued official notice to Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, as well as the state’s Department of Human Services (DHS), that the state is not in compliance with the requirements of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA).
The notification letter, sent today on behalf of the New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP, calls on Guadagno and DHS to take corrective action necessary to bring New Jersey into compliance with the NVRA by offering voter registration opportunities at public assistance agencies or to face possible litigation.
Commonly known as the “Motor Voter” law, the NVRA requires motor vehicle agencies, as well as public assistance agencies that provide services such as Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other benefits, to proactively offer voter registration services to their clients. Since the implementation of the NVRA, an estimated 141 million Americans have applied to get on the voter rolls through the registration services the NVRA requires at motor vehicle agencies, disability offices, and public assistance agencies.
The notice letter cites evidence that public assistance agencies in New Jersey are neglecting to consistently offer voter registration services to their clients, and are therefore failing to carry out their responsibilities under the NVRA. As discussed in the notice letter, there has been a significant decline in the number of voter registration applications from New Jersey public assistance agencies since 1995, despite a sharp increase in the number of persons seeking public assistance. Investigations at county welfare agencies also showed a lack of compliance with the law. Discussions with both clients and agency staff confirmed that voter registration services were not consistently offered as required by the NVRA.
“Public assistance agencies are a vital component of the voter registration system because they connect with Americans, including low-income individuals and persons with disabilities, who are less likely to register through other means,” said Sarah Brannon, director of the Public Agency Registration Program at Project Vote.
Frank Askin of the Rutgers Constitutional Law Clinic says, “We have been trying since 2010 to bring New Jersey into compliance with the law. The Division of Human Services initially acknowledged the problem and announced an Implementation Plan to correct it. But, unfortunately, that plan was never carried out.”
“The NVRA tasks all states, including New Jersey, with promoting and protecting one of the most fundamental freedoms of our democracy,” said Dave Rubino, Counsel at Demos. “Voting is the means by which Americans, regardless of class or race, control their lives and their futures. Right now, New Jersey is falling short on this task.”
“Our work to ensure that states offer voter registration at public assistance agencies as required by the NVRA helps to guarantee that convenient voter registration opportunities are accessible to all eligible citizens,” said Robert Kengle, co-director of the Voting Rights Project at the Lawyers’ Committee.
“Due to New Jersey’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the NVRA, the indigent are less likely to register to vote,” said James Harris, president of the New Jersey State Conference of NAACP. “True democracy requires the participation of all citizens regardless of race or income. It is unfortunate and unacceptable for elected officials to disregard laws and allow policies that diminish opportunities for minority and poor citizens to exercise the basic right to vote. The State Conference is committed to doing everything possible to educate, organize, and mobilize all citizens who are eligible to vote.”
In the past several years, lawsuits filed by voting rights groups have forced other states neglecting the NVRA into compliance with dramatic results. For example, Missouri public assistance agencies received more than 500,000 applications in the four years following a successful court action to improve compliance in that state. Prior to a 2008 court order, the state had averaged fewer than 8,000 per year. And, after a similar case was settled in Ohio in 2009, voter registration applications from public assistance agencies in the state increased from an average of 25,000 applications per year to more than 200,000 per year.
The voting rights groups urge the state to take immediate action to bring New Jersey into compliance with the NVRA, and offer to work cooperatively with DHS to develop a plan to do so.
###
A multi-issue national organization, Demos combines research, policy development, and advocacy to influence public debates and catalyze change. We publish books, reports, and briefing papers that illuminate critical problems and advance innovative solutions; work at both the national and state level with advocates and policymakers to promote reforms; help to build the capacity and skills of key progressive constituencies; project our values into the media by promoting Demos Fellows and staff in print, broadcast, and Internet venues; and host public events that showcase new ideas and leading progressive voices.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Forums On Women's Issues Presented By Women For Obama
Women for Obama will present a series of forums on Women's issues throughout Monmouth County
Five forums on women's issues, entitled "What Women Care About" will be conducted this fall in Monmouth Country at the following locations and times:
The event is sponsored by Monmouth Country Women for Obama, a subset of the Obama for America organization whose mission is to inform Monmouth Country residents about the President's policies and how they impact women.
The organization's value statement reads "We want a country in which it's possible to live these values: Security & Safety, Health, Fairness and Freedom. We are all connected and everyone deserves a fair chance. Ensuring the common good helps everyone to thrive and makes for a stronger America!"
For more information contact the chapter chairperson Marilyn Michaels at mzm.consulting@gmail.com.
Five forums on women's issues, entitled "What Women Care About" will be conducted this fall in Monmouth Country at the following locations and times:
- Wednesday, September 12 at the Hazlet Library from 6:30 to 9: pm
- Saturday, September 15, at Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County Library on Rt. 35 in Shrewsbury from 1 to 4 pm
- Thursday, September 19, at the Belmar Pavilion from 7 to 9 pm
- Thursday, September 20, at the Old Wharf House, in Oceanport from 7 to 9 pm
- Saturday, October 20, at the Manalapan County Library from 12 to 4 pm
The event is sponsored by Monmouth Country Women for Obama, a subset of the Obama for America organization whose mission is to inform Monmouth Country residents about the President's policies and how they impact women.
The organization's value statement reads "We want a country in which it's possible to live these values: Security & Safety, Health, Fairness and Freedom. We are all connected and everyone deserves a fair chance. Ensuring the common good helps everyone to thrive and makes for a stronger America!"
For more information contact the chapter chairperson Marilyn Michaels at mzm.consulting@gmail.com.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Senate tunes out Fairness Doctrine
Sen. Jim DeMint(S.C.) attached an amendment onto a bill that would give the District of Columbia a voting rights in congress. The admendment would prohibit the FCC from re-instating the Fairness Doctitrine. This amendment, theBroadcaster Freedom Act, passed along with the bill that gives Washingon, D.C voting rights.
Here is a little of what the Hill has to say about this:
The Senate voted Thursday in favor of an amendment to the District of Columbia voting-rights bill that would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from reinstating the so-called Fairness Doctrine, which critics say would decimate conservative talk radio.
The Senate passed the measure 87-11.
Republicans have introduced the Broadcaster Freedom Act in the House as well, but Democrats are not expected to allow a vote on the bill.
Legislation would have to pass both chambers of Congress and receive President Obama’s signature.
The FCC first implemented the doctrine in the late 1940s to balance the political content of broadcasters, requiring them to give equal time to liberal and conservative viewpoints.
The agency scrapped the regulation in the mid-'80s after determining that it was no longer necessary because the public had a wide array of political news sources from which to choose.
Since then Congress has tried twice to re-implement the Fairness Doctrine but failed because of vetoes by former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
The amendment, sponsored by Senate Republican Steering Committee Chairman Jim DeMint (S.C.) and Senate Republican Conference Vice Chairman John Thune (S.D.), would block the FCC from reviving equal-time requirements by enacting the Broadcaster Freedom Act.
Read more>>> Here
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