To Vote or Not to Vote--that is the Question: June 2011

Here is my annotated bib for your enjoyment. It's a rough draft but here it is:

Good stuff, good stuff:

Policy Domain Reading List

Domain Topic: Election Reform

Newspaper Articles

Bills erect partisan vote hurdles. (2011, April 22). St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved from http://dosc.newbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136C4E76E0E2F5E8/0D0CB5811D21e575?pmulti=SPTB&slang=en-US.

The House passed its anti-democracy bill already and the Senate is poised to pass similar legislation. However, we hope the cynical efforts to infringe on voters’ rights collapse under their own weight. State lawmakers should make it easier to vote, not more difficult especially in an election year where all 160 seats in the legislature are on the ballot because of redistricting. Floridians should not stand for this attempt to erode fundamental rights in the state.

Bills headed to gov. scott for his signature. (2011, May 6). The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/13713DF28CC94D0/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=PBPB&slang=en-US.

Various bills are now on the way to Gov. Rick Scott’s desk on Thursday including bills on abortion, education, property insurance, welfare drug testing, environmental permits, corporate taxes, elections and coastal cleaning.

Legislative winners and losers. (2011, May 8). St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/137193B41AAF8EE8/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=SPTB&slang=en-US.

A summary of the legislation passed by the 2011 state legislature is presented. Positives, bills that are a benefit to Floridians are highlighted as well as bills that negatively affect the state.

Only goal of election bill is gop control. (2011, April 28). Charlotte Sun. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136E55424F571FC0/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=CNCB&slang=en-US.

The president of the League of Women Voters in Charlotte County’s Op/Ed piece. She outlines the provisions of the bill and note that the arguments presented by the Republican do not hold water such as the prevention of voter fraud as well as the fact that only a few people vote early. The elections in 210 and 2008 were successful in the state and were well-executed. No problems occurred with voter fraud or early voting.

Stop assault on all voters. (2011, April 24). The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136D9E7F79457020/0d0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=PBPB&slang=en-US.

HB 1355 and SB 2086 are not reforms but efforts by the Republicans to suppress what the GOP perceives as likely Democratic votes in 2012. The House bill passed a bill containing some provisions and the Senate will discuss a bill that contains more provisions than the House bill.

Bousquet, S. (2011, April 2). GOP bill revises rules on voting. St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/13668BB0229EC718/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=SPTB&slang=en-US.

Passed by the House Government Operations Committee on a party-line vote (9-4), HB 1355 has a provision that wipes out a 40-year tradition in FL that allows voters who have recently moved to update their information at the polls when they vote. Instead, those individuals will now cast provisional ballots if the measure is passed. The bill has been called an “extreme makeover”, “disturbing” and “appalling”. The bill would also: impose new restrictions on third party groups that register voters, slap fines on election supervisors who are late in filing reports with the state, and allow candidates to test the voting waters, spending up to $10,000 without revealing where the money came from. If they actually ran for office, the source must then be disclosed.

Bousequet, S. (2011, April 2). House bill would greatly change election laws. Bradenton Herald. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdoccs/AWNB/1365cAFE7A&A0C08/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=BTHB&slang=en=US.

The House Government Operations Committee passed HB 1355 on a party-line vote. The bill’s provisions are causing strong waves of opposition from Democrats. However, other call it a substantive cleanup of the election code heading into the 2012 election and redrawing of district lines in the state for both Congress and the legislature. At this time, a similar bill has not surfaced in the Senate.

Bousquet, S. (2011, April 15). Panel okays election bill. St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136A004BB8FCAF20/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=SPTB&slang=en-US.

In a 12-6 party line vote, the House State Affairs Committee approved HB 1355 setting up a vote by the full House chamber. A piece of similar legislation will be addressed by the Senate Rules Committee today. One reason to support the bill is to prevent voter fraud, said Rep. Baxley-R-Ocala. However, as noted by a spokesperson for the Secretary of State, in 2010 there were no reports of voter fraud in the state concerning name, address, or party change.

Bousequet, S. (2011, April 15). Critics lash florida elections bill as voter suppression. The Bradenton Herald. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136A13DC33A9F7A8/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=BTHB&slang=en-US.

Bousequet, S. (2011, April 16). GOP targets early voting. St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136B7D1B78625768/0D0CB5811D221E575?pmulti=SPTB&slang=en-US.

The Senate bill, which is 140 pages and sponsored by Senator John Thrasher-R-St. Augustine, pushes for changes in election law including cutting early voting time in half, marking it harder for grassroots organizations to register individuals, and require people to vote provisionally if they moved since the last time they voted.

Bousequet, S. (2011, April 17). Republicans push to cut early voting. The Bradenton Herald. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136ABC9B95F8B1E0/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=BTHB&slang=en-US.

The state legislature wants to overhaul the election laws in the state to help the Republican party remain dominant in the state, critics say. SB 2086 passed the Republican-controlled Rules Committee on a vote of 10-2 on Friday. The bill will push the primary election back to Sept. 4 and force voters who do not go to the correct precincts to cast provisional ballots. Florida has allowed individuals to change their address on Election Day since 1973. Early voting will also be cut from two weeks to one.

Bousequet, S. (2011, April 21). Elections overhaul passes house—the florida house approved an overhaul of the state’s elections law that opponents call an effort at suppressing voting. The Miami Herald. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136C3DD41E8FFD68/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=MIHB&slang=en-US.

The House passed HB 1355 on Thursday; the Republicans say it will streamline voting machinery and the Democrats say it will make it harder for people to vote in 2012. Florida is the biggest battleground state in the 2012 election so it is unclear how the bill will affect the election. The bill also shows muscle-flexing power of the Republican supermajorities in the House and Senate. Republicans claim change is needed to prevent voter fraud. Democrats disagree.

Bousequet, S. (2011, April 22). Elections overhaul passes house on party-line vote. The Bradenton Herald. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136C627BD72F1EA0/0D0CB811D21e575?pmulti=BTHB7slang=en-US.

HB 1355 passed the overhaul of election laws Thursday on a party-line vote (79-37). Rep. Baxley sponsor of the bill said, “This is a great country. Our vote is precious and we’re going to protect it.” Neither the Secretary of State of Elections Supervisors requested the controversial changes in the bill. Secretary of State Browning says that the state’s state of the art electronic voter database has eliminated fraud.

Bousquet, S. (2011, May 6). GOP gets elections wish. St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/137107CE126B0EB0/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=SPTB&slang=en-US.

HB 1355 passed on Thursday and is now going to Governor Rick Scott to sign into law. Democrats accused the GOP of trying to suppress voter turnout to diminish Obama’s chances of winning FL in 2012. Republicans said the vote needed to be protected; if they did not protect the vote every Floridian would be disenfranchised. The Senate passed it by a 25-13 vote and the House by a 77-38 party-line vote.

Bousquet, S. (2011 May 6). Critics slam election overhaul. The Bradenton Herald. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/1370FFBE21B#BB38/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=BTHB&slang=en-US.

Union officials, Democrats, and third-party voter registration groups slam the Florida Legislature for passing HB 1355 an election reform law as a measure that is trying to suppress voter turnout in the state especially for the Democratic party. Some have called the bill an outrageous attack on the precious right to vote. Sen. Bennett, R-Bradenton said that he wanted individuals to fight for the right to vote.

Dunkelberger, L. (2011, April 20). Fla . house vote likely Thursday on revamped election laws. Ocala Star-Banner. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136C1A3A0A7EF360/0D0CB5811D2E575?pmulti=OSBB&slang=en-US.

A summary of HB 1355 is outlined. Changes include: cutting early voting from two weeks to one, requiring third party groups to turn in signed voter applications within 48 hours of receiving them, cutting the time a voter’s signature is valid on constitutional petition drives from four years to two. Sancho said that the election bills moving through the legislature this year are based on proposals from the American Legislative Exchange Council in Washington D.C.

Dunkelberger, L. (2011, April 21). Voting bills seen as play for power. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136C9EE74D00DF68/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=SHTB&slang=en-US.

Opponents of HB 1355 say that those affected by the bill support Democrats. The changes would affect voter registration, early voting and third party registration groups. Opponents say the bill is an assault on voters and eliminating minority voters, student voters, and women voters. The measure may most heavily affect student voters who go away to college. In Leon County, 3,500 voters would have fallen into the category of submitting a provisional ballot in the 2008 election.

Haughney, K. (2011, April 21). Election changes near passage. The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136C101EA6D2E378/0D0CB5811D2E575?pmulti=ORLB&slang=en-US.

Lawmakers are set to vote today on HB 1355, a massive election overhaul in the state. The changes in the bill could have a major impact on the 2012 election especially for college students. Democrats have united to say that the Republican bill makes it harder for people to vote.

Haughney, K. (2011, April 22). House tightens rules on voting. Sun Sentinel. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136C5D9FF19D7638/0D0CB5811D2E575?pmulti=SFLB&slang=en-US.

Florida’s House passed the state election reform bill, HB 1355, Thursday night. The bill passed on a vote of 79-37. The bill sets up a committee that decides when the state’s 2012 presidential primary takes place. The GOP says the measure will prevent voter fraud but Democrats blasted the measure calling it an assault on voter’s rights. The League of Women Voters president calls the measure an “all out attack on the right to vote and register new voters in FL. It is a shameless voter suppression which has the potential to impact every Floridian.

Haughney, K. (2011, May 5). Senate to vote on elections legislation. Sun Sentinel. http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/1370A91A74A1C528/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=SFLB&slang=en-US.

The Senate is poised to vote on Thursday on HB 1355—a comprehensive rewrite of election code in Florida. The GOP cite cases of voter fraud as the main reason for the bill; the bill will crack down on election violations and protect the integrity of the vote. The Democrats believe it will hold down voter turnout in the Democrat party in 2012.

Haughney, K. (2011, May 5). Lawmakers poised to pass makeover of elections laws. The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/1370AD724639F2C8/0D0CB5811D211E575?pmulti=ORLB&slang=en-US.

The Senate is ready to vote on HB 1355, a comprehensive rewrite of election laws in Florida. According to the Department of State, there has been little election fraud in recent years; election fraud prevention is the main purpose of the bill. Democrats posed numerous amendments to the bill but they were all rejected. The Republicans fought off changes stating that they needed to prevent fraud.

Kam, D. (2011, May 3). Elections bill attacks democracy. The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/13703FD589D2320D0/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=PBPB&slang=en-US.

U.S. Senator Nelson likened the GOP’s overhaul of the election laws in FL and the Democrat’s fight against it to the U.S. fight for democracy overseas. Don’t make it harder to vote noted Nelson. Nelson posed questions about the military service women who got married overseas and have a name change. How will the bill affect them?

Kam, D. (2011, May 6). Bill that cuts early voting days, limits registration goes to scott. The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/13713DF289E7F320/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=PBPB&slang=en-US .

HB 1355 was approved by the House and Senate on Thursday and is now on its way to the Governor’s mansion. The bill passed on party-line votes by both the House and Senate late Thursday night. Union leaders advised Senate Democrats to question the measure during debate to pave the way for lawsuits.

Kennedy, J. (2011, April 15). Panel approves voter registration rules. The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136A51224B242470/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=PBPB&slang=eng-US.

HB 1355 was approved by a House panel today in a 12-6 vote. The legislation will put restrictions on groups that register voters and create new standards that could endanger ballots cast by voters away from their home county. House sponsor Baxley-R-Ocala said that legislators are trying to protect voters and voter credibility.

Kennedy, J. (2011, May 5). Elections law rewrite closer to completion. The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/1370EB64CE8D6720/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=PBPB&slang=en-US.

HB 1355 is closer to being a completed bill with a new provision added as a compromise on early voting restrictions. The early voting period would reduce the period to 10 days but extend the daily hours. Democrats argue that it will make it harder for Democratic-leaning college students to cast ballots.

Lyons, D.C. (2011, April 23). GOP stacks deck for 2012 election. Sun Sentinel. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136CB43CFA5A0CA0/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=SFLB&slang=en-US.

The GOP is more focused on Nov. 6, 2012 than July 1, 2011—the start of the new budget year. They have imposed new restrictions on restoring voting rights to ex-felons who paid their debt to society as well as approved HJR 1 and SJR 2, to go on the ballot, which preserves the freedom of Florida residents to provide for their own healthcare. They also passed HB 1355, which if it becomes law makes it harder for college students to vote in elections as some are away from their hoe county.

Lyons, D.C. (2011, May 7). Election reform is anything but. Sun Sentinel. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/1371502BFC0A7B8/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=SFLB7slang=en-US.

Florida lawmakers have been grappling with re-establishing the credibility of the Florida vote since the 2000 election. Lyons points out that who knew that a new generation of voters would become collateral damage? Lyons also predicts that the bill will be signed by Scott and then end up in federal court.

Macnab, D. (2011, April 26). War against the voters. St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136DBA0091FA91D0/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=SPTB&slang=en-US.

After a smooth 2010 election, the Florida Legislature is ready to pass some radical new regulations surrounding voting to prevent voter fraud even though voter fraud is extremely rare in the state with the new database, in place since 2006. Mickey Mouse has never voted in Florida. If you are an early voter, have moved, register voters with a third party organization, or have ever seen anyone need help or legal advice at the voting polling place, this bill affects you.

Miami Herald. (2011, April 13). Another flori-duh movement? our opinion: speaker cannon’s bill sets up obstacles to voting. The Miami Herald. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/13698CA70D82A9F8/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=MIHB&slang=en-US.

Ten years after the state received the nickname “Flori-Duh” because of the hanging chads from the 2000 election, some in the legislature want to take the state back to that direction again. The House State Affairs Committee, on Thursday, will take up HB 1355, drafted by House Speaker Dean Cannon and introduced into committee by Rep. Dennis Baxley, a bill that is supposed to strengthen Florida’s election code. However, the bill will undue some of the sensible reforms imposed after the 2000 election debacle, the reason the state is now known as “Flori-Duh”. The bill is not a bipartisan product and the Miami Herald theorizes that one reason the Republicans have introduced it is to disenfranchise so many college students who voted Democrat in the 2008 election.

Sharockman, A. (2011, April 20). House to rewrite state election laws. The Miami Herald. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136BAD2EC9FFA588/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=MIHB&slang=en-US.

HB 1355, a controversial rewrite to the state election laws, heads to the floor of the House Wed. The House will also take up HB 7129, a growth management bill. Both bills are on a second reading and a final vote will likely come on Tuesday. The House and Senate must also redraw boundaries for the 160 state legislative districts and 27 U.S. House seats before the 2012 election.

Sharockman, A. (2011, April 26). Mickey mouse was registered to vote in florida, republican house member claims. St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbanks.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136E20B147F9AFE0/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=SPTB&slang=en-US.

Mickey mouse has never been registered in Florida despite comments made by members of the House who claim he has. The Truth-O-Meter registered that claim as well as a registering a dead actor to vote as false. Orange County election officials rejected Mickey’s application when it came through from ACORN officials. So Mickey was never allowed to vote. He was in fact denied.

Sharockman, A. (2011, May 2). Election pranks are not equal to fraud. St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/136FB3A2907472B8/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=SPTB&slang=en-US.

Mickey Mouse is a registered voter in Florida claims state Republicans. That claim is false. Additionally the claim that the state registered a dead actor to vote is also false. Someone filled out an application for Mickey but the application included so many inaccuracies that it was rejected.

Sharockman, A. (2011, May 2). Bill nelson criticizes state election bill, cites number of tossed provisional ballots. St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/13700A7845838F60/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=SPTB&slang=en-US.

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson came to Tallahassee to oppose major changes to the election law being considered in the House and Senate. Fifty-five percent of the provisional ballots were not considered in the 2008 election. After an investigation by the Pew Center on the States, they found that 51.4 percent of the provisional ballots cast were not counted in the 2008 election. This claim is mostly true by the Truth-O-Meter.

Sharockman, A. (2011, May 7). And maybe it’s uphill both ways? St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved from http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/1371401025744D78/0D0CB5811D21E575?pmulti=SPTB&slang=en-US.

Democrats argue that HB 1355, now on its way to Gov. Scott’s desk, makes it harder to vote. Republicans say that’s not necessarily bad. We want an informed voter, claimed Sen. Bennett, R-Bradenton. He also said he wants voters to walk across town to vote like they do in Africa. Upon talking to a group of African election experts who were in Gainesville, he was proved wrong. They walk around 2 kilometers to vote (about 1.25 miles) not 200-300 miles as Bennett claimed.

Journal Articles

Alvarez, R.M., & Hall, T.E. (2006). Controlling democracy: the principal-agent problems in election administration. The Policy Studies Journal, 34(4), 491-510.

The principal-agent theory, used extensively in public administration and political science is used to analyze the problems that present themselves in the current election system built around polling place voting on a single day. Alvarez et al. (2006) focused on the problems that arise during voter registration and the voting process such as shrinking number of poll workers and the selection of poll workers. Four alternatives to the polling place are discussed: expanding early voting, vote-by-mail voting centers, and internet voting. One concern noted by Alvarez et al. (2006) is that some of these new voting options raise important privacy and fraud issues, especially internet voting. Even though there are valid concerns, the authors believe that these reforms can eliminate some of the principal-agent problems in election management.

Atkeson, L.R., Bryant, L.A., Hall, T.E., Saunders, K.L., & Alvarez, R.M. (2010). A new barrier to participation: heterogeneous application of voter identification policies. Electoral Studies, 29, 66-73. doi:10.1016/j.electstud.2009.08.001.

A tension exists between maximizing ballot access and minimizing voter fraud in elections. As a result of the 2000 election, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which mandated minimal voter identification requirements at the polls. The authors examine how new laws were put into place in New Mexico in time for the 2006 general election to help prevent voter fraud. Their data source was the 2006 New Mexico Voter Election Administration Survey from the first Congressional district and the Tricountry New Mexico Poll Worker Survey. Logistic regression results showed that Hispanics and men were more likely required to show identification than any other group which suggests that on some level discrimination at the polls is occurring. Additionally, 65% of voters reported that they were required to show ID at the polls whereas 35% reported they did not show identification. Results showed that there is a possibility of an unequal application of voter ID laws in the state. Per multivariate analysis, systematic bias in the application of the identification statute across racial lines was found.

Brown, R.D., & Wedeking, J. (2006). People who have their ticket but do not use them: “moter voter,” registration, and turnout revisited. American Politics Research, 34, 479-504. doi: 10.1177/1532673X05281122.

Brown and Wedeking (2006) investigate the notion that voting is a two-stage process—registering to vote then actually voting. They look at the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), which was based on the premise that the most likely way to increase voter turnout is to reduce the barriers for registration and the voters and polls. They note that although the NVRA seeks to increase turnout by increasing registration, it does so by targeting those citizens who are least likely to do both. Therefore, the NVRA might be creating a new pool of voters-those unable or unwilling to overcome the hurdle of registration. Ultimately, has the NVRA created a group of individuals who have their tickets (registration) but have no desire to actually attend the game (vote)? Using statistically analysis, Brown et al. found that the NVRA has helped increase the number of individuals registered to vote however, these individuals have little desire to actually participate in the voting process by casting a ballot.

Fitzgerald, M. (2005). Greater convenience but not greater turnout: the impact of alternative voting methods on electoral participation in the united states. American Politics Research, 33, 842- 867. doi: 10.1177/1532673X04274066.

Fitzgerald (2005) focused on the structural-legal theory of voter participation, which emphasizes the role that election laws play with regard to voter turnout at the polls. In this theory, the voter must overcome two hurdles to actually cast a ballot—registration and voting. Two federal government reforms were also discussed—the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Five additional methods put in place by the states to boost electoral participation include: unrestricted absentee voting and in-person early voting, election-day registration, motor vehicle registration, and mail registration. The study used data from the time period 1972-2002 from the state level in order to measure the impact that voting reforms (e.g. alternative voting methods) have on aggregate levels of voting turnout in the U.S. Findings included: most voting reforms do not stimulate turnout, and that the failure of voting reforms to combat low rates of voting turnout show that voter turnout may not be as much about cost and convenience as previously thought. Additionally, early voting procedures do not boost voter turnout in elections.

Friedman, A.K. (2005). Voter disenfranchisement and policy toward election reform. Review of Policy Research, 22(6), 787-810.

How did poverty, race, population density, and other demographic characteristics affect disenfranchisement in the 2004 presidential election? Friedman (2005) proposes two types of disenfranchisement—partisan where one political party uses tactics to depress the voter turnout of another party’s constituency (e.g. gerrymandering) and structural—legislation, regulations and actions of political agents who suppresses the votes of a minority group. He examined data from three ‘swing’ states: Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and he used California and Texas as controls because they are considered “safe” states. Using regression analysis, Friedman found three variables—whether or not the state is a swing state, the percentage of the population that is African American, and the percentage of the county that is urban are statistically significant in predicting rates of disenfranchisement in every model that they were included for all the problems regressions, and are also significant in predicting rates of intimidation, machinery problems, absentee ballot problems, and ID issues.

Hood, M.V., & Bullock, C.S. (2008). Worth a thousand words? An analysis of georgia’s voter identification statute. American Politics Research, 36, 555-579. doi: 10.1177/1532673X08316608.

Georgia has joined the states seeking to require the presentation of a picture identification (ID) card, such as a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)–issued ID, before a person can vote. Data for the study came from two sources: the voter registration and history databases maintained by the GA secretary of state and a report from the GA DMV. Results showed that in comparison to the white population, all four racial and ethnic groups (Black, Hispanic, Asian, Other race or ethnicity) as well as the older population in the state included in the model have a significantly higher probability of not possessing a driver’s license or state ID card. Additionally, those who lack a valid driver’s license are significantly less likely to vote; minority voters are also less likely to vote compared to white voters. Their findings support the claim that requiring a government issued photo ID as a prerequisite to voting would deter participation, however, they cannot conclude that for certain because their research is not conclusive; they do not know how many people have other forms of identification that might be acceptable such as a passport or student ID card from a university.

Lee, A.M., (2010). Don’t save the date: how more restrictive state voter registration deadlines disenfranchise minority movers. Columbia Journal of Law and Social Problems, 43, 245-281.

Most states close their registration books before Election Day, claiming that they need time to verify new registration sand prepare for voters to come to the polls on Election Day. Lee hypothesizes that closing the registration book prior to Election Day disenfranchises voters, especially minorities who tend to move more than whites, who have changed addresses. He notes that states should make changes to their voter registration deadlines and points out that some states allow for voter registration changes to be made on Election Day. If changes are not made, the Voter Registration Act (VRA), specifically Section 2, could allow for individuals to challenge those deadlines in court showing the differential effects of advance registration deadlines on minority voters.

Prichett, M.S. (2002). Bi-partisan leadership in florida’s election reform. Spectrum: The Journal of State Government, 9-10.

The 2000 Presidential race showed weakness in Florida’s voting system causing the Florida Legislature to introduce legislation to correct the problem. The resulting legislation, called the Florida Election Reform Act of 2001, had bi-partisan support and has been viewed as some of the most sweeping election reform passed by a legislature after the 2000 election. Prichett (2002) describes how the legislation was passed by the Florida legislature and how they responded to the public demand that election reform occur in the state after the 2000 election.

Richie, R. (2007). Leave no voter behind: seeking 100 percent voter registration and effective civic education. National Civic Review, 39-45. doi: 10.1002/ncr.186.

Voting should be protected as a fundamental citizenship right and responsibility. One way to do this is to register each individual accurately. When there are problems with the voter rosters and are full of errors, steps must be taken to correct the deficiencies in the system. Specific policies are suggested by Richie (2007) to address the deficiencies in the electoral system including: establishing a uniform age of 16 for advanced voter registration, registration of high school studies in civics classes and on Constitutional Day, have classes that explain the election process, mechanics, and address common myths of the voting process, offer programs for those who are becoming US citizens, automatic registration of citizens obtaining driver’s license, learner’s permits and filing postal forms to change addresses, student poll workers, print and online voter guides, and television and radio time devoted to election information. If these are implemented, the all youth will leave high school registered to vote and have an understanding of the democratic process.

Stein, R.M., & Vonnahme, G. (2008). Engaging the unengaged voter: vote centers and voter turnout. The Journal of Politics, 70(2), 487-497. doi: 10.1017/S0022381608080456.

Research has shown that previous election reforms designed to increase turnout have often made voting more convenient for frequent voters without significantly increasing turnout among infrequent voters. However, a new innovation—Election Day Centers—provides an alternative way for individuals to cast a ballot. Using data from 1990 to 2004 from Larimer County, where Election Day Centers were adopted in 2003 and Weld County, where Election Day Centers did not exist prior to 2004,the researchers found that there is evidence at the individual level to show that Election Day Centers have led to higher turnout in Larimer County that would have otherwise been the case. Results from the Stein and Vonnahme (2008) study show that Election Day Centers have a positive and substantial effect on individual election participation. Thus, this is the first positive finding that shows that an electoral reform positively impacts turnout among infrequent voters.

Bills

Florida House of Representatives. 1355, 2^nd Engrossed. (2011).

This law specifically affected the voting process. It restricted early voting from 14 days to 8 days, required that third party voter registration groups turn in voter registration forms within 48 hours of them being signed by voters (and face fines if turned in late as well as if voter information is incorrect), provisional ballots will be cast by individuals who are registered to vote in another town, city, etc in the state. Can no longer change your address or name the day of the election.

Voting Act of 1965. Public Law 89-110. 89^th U.S. Congress. (1965). (enacted).

The Voting Act of 1965 banned racial discrimination in the voting process by the federal government as well as state and local governments. Several groups are protected by the VRA including individuals who have limited fluency in English as well as minorities. Nine states must received federal clearance if they chose to change the state election law, Florida included, because of this bill and its protection of minorities.

To Vote or Not to Vote--that is the Question

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Reject HB 1355? House Democrats Urge Justice Department to do just that

Monday, June 20, 2011

College Students: Collateral Damage?

Podcast 2: Update, AB, and what I've learned so far

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Taking a Stand

Friday, June 10, 2011

Annotated Bib

Annotated Bib and a few updates

Saturday, June 4, 2011

And they just keep on coming...