Bush Seeks Limit to Suits Over Voting Rights

**ruthie** · 10-30-2004, 06:19 AM

Talk about voter fraud. Does this administration actually think we are going to buy this bridge?

They are saying "that only the Justice Department, and not voters themselves, may sue to enforce the voting rights set out in the Help America Vote Act, which was passed in the aftermath of the disputed 2000 election. "

How is anybody supposed to trust John Ashcroft and the Justice Dep't. to protect an individual's right to vote? They are setting civil rights back by years. I guess I could surmise that Bush and his cronies are getting pretty paranoid about the election...losing it, that is. This is absolutley shocking, and I think if Bush "wins", (I mean is hand picked) again, there are going to be non stop protests and riots. How is anyone able to trust the whole process, when we already have reports of planned voter intimidation, faulty machines, etc.? This country's justice system and office of the presidency is one corrupt monster machine

Still, the issue may resurface and prove significant next week if disputes arise over voter qualifications. Some election-law experts believe the administration has set the stage for arguing that the federal courts may not second-guess decisions of state election officials in Ohio, Florida or elsewhere.

J. Gerald Hebert, a former chief of the department's voting-rights section, said he was dismayed that the government was seeking to weaken a measure designed to protect voters.

"This is the first time in history the Justice Department has gone to court to side against voters who are trying to enforce their right to vote. I think this law will mean very little if the rights of American voters have to depend on this Justice Department," said Hebert, who worked in the voting-rights section from 1973 to 1994.

truthout

**Rat Faced** · 10-30-2004, 05:07 PM

I have no idea what this measure means... so i cant comment at the mo.

I'll read it later, im too tired at the mo

**ruthie** · 10-30-2004, 05:36 PM

Putting Ashcroft and the Justice Dep't. in charge of who can contest a vote is like putting a fox in charge of the henhouse. Ashcroft is part of the Bush regime...where is there any fairness in this?