DOJ coming to monitor Florida elections.

[madfloridian]

From the Miami Herald blog:

Federales coming to Florida poll watch

The U.S. Justice Department announced it will send Election Day poll watchers to 59 different places in 23 states, including Hillsborough, Duval and Seminole counties.

Duval's supervisor of elections, Jerry Holland, said DOJ told him it was coming down because of the colossal blunder of the Republican National Committee in sending out weird mailers to Democrats that sought to raise money for John McCain and that identified them as Republicans. Democrats said this was an example of "voter caging." Holland said it wasn't. He checked it out. It was just sloppiness.

..."According to the DOJ press release:

"The observers and Department personnel will gather information on whether voters are subject to different voting qualifications or procedures on the basis of race, color, or membership in a language minority group; whether jurisdictions are complying with the minority language provisions of the Voting Rights Act; whether jurisdictions permit voters who are blind, disabled, or unable to read or write assistance by a person of their choice; whether jurisdictions allow voters who are blind to cast a private and independent ballot; and whether jurisdictions comply with the provisional ballot requirements of the Help America Vote Act. To assist in these inquiries, the Department has deployed observers and monitors who speak Spanish, and a variety of Asian and Native American languages. Both the federal observers and Department personnel will coordinate monitoring activities and maintain contact with local election officials."

That appears to be the same issue that the FL Dems just sued about. Might be wrong on that, but I think so.

[cliffordu]

1. IT used to be a relief when the DOJ got involved somewhere like this.....Now,

I get a little chill.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. No shit.

[EFerrari]

3. Sure. They're corrupt as hell. Maybe we should keep track of where

they are being sent. Anywhere else beside Ohio and Florida?

[drm604]

4. That was my first thought.

I don't trust the current DOJ.

[BrklynLiberal]

15. That is what I thought. Is this good news or bad news?

[madfloridian]

18. Not sure if it is good or bad.

Will figure it out later. They are coming because of something the Republicans did...so that's one point in their favor.

[BattyDem]

5. This is supposed to make us feel better?

:scared:

[madfloridian]

7. Not really. Just presenting facts. The lawsuit is encouraging, though.

:hi:

[BattyDem]

10. I wasn't being snarky with you. Sorry if it sounded that way.

:hi:

It's just so depressing. There was a time when being told that the DOJ (or the SCOTUS) was getting involved would make us feel better. Now, my first thought is, "They're going to do everything they can to help the GOP." :-(

[madfloridian]

12. I knew what you meant. That dept. has become so corrupted now.

It is sad.

[stillcool]

6. Oy ...

hello Supreme Court.

[DJ13]

8. The Republicans think Crist went rogue on them by extending the hours

The Bush admin. probably thinks they need to move in and make sure he doesnt get in the way of their suppression efforts on election day.

[Cha]

9. Rec'd~ to make people aware of what's coming..

The Feds will be there but so will Team Obama.

[spirald]

11. I received a Republican fundraising email in CA (I'm a Dem)

The McCain campaign sent me something several days ago (in sf bay area) which said they appreciate my past support (nonexistent) and asked me for a donation up to the legal limit. I've been registered here for several years as a Dem and voted in the Dem primary.

Both my wife and I thought that was very weird.

[elleng]

13. LETS REC THIS, GUYS!

'I'm from the Government and I'm here to help you,' ISN'T ANY MORE!

[hvn_nbr_2]

14. "different voting qualifications or procedures on the basis of race, color, or ... language"

The observers and Department personnel will gather information on whether voters are subject to different voting qualifications or procedures on the basis of race, color, or membership in a language minority group

You're supposed to believe that this means they're making sure that doesn't happen. In reality, they're there to make sure that it DOES happen, and they're "gathering information" to report on anyone who doesn't comply with Rove's orders.

[FlyingSquirrel]

16. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Dept of Justice is now an Orwellian term.

eofm

[progressoid]

17. Oh boy - this could get ugly.

[Thrill]

19. Intimidate the Black and Young voters

[madfloridian]

20. Kick for the DOJ....

Coming to Florida.