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Stuart G

(38,361 posts)
Mon Jun 11, 2012, 06:33 PM Jun 2012

Department of Justice Plans to Sue Florida over Voter Purge

Source: Talking Points Memo

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is planning to sue the state of Florida for purging voters from its rolls in violation of federal law, Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez said in a letter to Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner Monday.

DOJ warned Florida last month that its efforts to purge individuals believed to be noncitizens from the voter rolls would violate federal law because the process had not been cleared by either the Justice Department or a federal court, and because the purge was taking place too close to Florida’s August primary. Perez wrote Monday that he “authorized the initiation of an enforcement action against Florida in federal court” because the state had “indicated its unwillingness to comply” with federal laws.


Read more: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/06/doj_to_sue_over_floridas_voter_purge.php?ref=fpnewsfeed



It might be funny if it wasn't so fucking criminal.. Scotts only purpose is to create a situation to purge Democratic voters. That has been proven. Now, 30 minutes after Scott says he is sueing Obama's Homeland Security, (on Fox News) ...The Justice Department annonces
it is sueing Florida. So..Scott didn't know it was coming? sure, and at the equater tonite, at sea level...it will snow.
27 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Department of Justice Plans to Sue Florida over Voter Purge (Original Post) Stuart G Jun 2012 OP
OMG, Justice Dept has grown a set! Dont call me Shirley Jun 2012 #1
As someone once said...at least close to this.. Stuart G Jun 2012 #2
Really? My question is... ret5hd Jun 2012 #4
great idea! robinlynne Jun 2012 #14
Exactly. Marie Marie Jun 2012 #20
Exactly. Place Scott under arrest Doctor_J Jun 2012 #26
Dont get excited until there is some consequences paid. nm rhett o rick Jun 2012 #19
Hey ho, lets go!! AllyCat Jun 2012 #3
It's the only way to handle the corruption that takes place in Florida. Baitball Blogger Jun 2012 #5
Hopefully this will expose all the Iliyah Jun 2012 #6
i have been saying that for weeks... oldhippydude Jun 2012 #11
Good. Now the feds can depose Scott in his dumbass lawsuit. SunSeeker Jun 2012 #7
Breaking: Florida Governor Rick Scott Announces Florida Will Sue Obama Administration Over Vot Purge longship Jun 2012 #8
They are both suing each other. Akoto Jun 2012 #9
A perfect storm of litigation. longship Jun 2012 #15
As I understand it, DOJ is suing Florida over the voter's list purge, and Florida is suing TrollBuster9090 Jun 2012 #22
So - writing them letters (they got 3 from me as the story developed) ProfessionalLeftist Jun 2012 #10
Thanks ProfessionalLeftist goclark Jun 2012 #12
The last letter I sent them . . . ProfessionalLeftist Jun 2012 #16
He'll file a motion to dismiss... amerciti001 Jun 2012 #13
There is factual bases.. Stuart G Jun 2012 #17
Yep. Lets see the DOJ depose Scott under oath... HooptieWagon Jun 2012 #18
Read the whole letter, it doesn't say what any penalties are other than Florida court appearance just1voice Jun 2012 #21
I think this still applies bigtree Jun 2012 #23
Maybe it's an effort to get him to actually READ the VRA thecrow Jun 2012 #24
Plan to sue??? Doctor_J Jun 2012 #25
What is needed is a Grand Jury indypaul Jun 2012 #27

Stuart G

(38,361 posts)
2. As someone once said...at least close to this..
Mon Jun 11, 2012, 06:39 PM
Jun 2012

Justice Department: "Make My Day"

and this lawsuit against Scott has made mine.........

ret5hd

(20,435 posts)
4. Really? My question is...
Mon Jun 11, 2012, 06:43 PM
Jun 2012

instead of suing a state, why not charge a person.

THAT would get so e attention.

Marie Marie

(9,999 posts)
20. Exactly.
Mon Jun 11, 2012, 11:36 PM
Jun 2012

This isn't the "state" pulling this crap - it is ONE man. And how many election officials have spoken out and taken a stand against the Governor. Yes, the accountability for this lies soley at the feet of the Governor himself.

Baitball Blogger

(46,576 posts)
5. It's the only way to handle the corruption that takes place in Florida.
Mon Jun 11, 2012, 07:04 PM
Jun 2012

We need Federal intervention! I've been saying it for years!

Iliyah

(25,111 posts)
6. Hopefully this will expose all the
Mon Jun 11, 2012, 07:05 PM
Jun 2012

voter suppression laws in other states run by goppers.

These sobs need to be put in limelight for all to see their radical agendas.

One rule, corporation controll of America.

oldhippydude

(2,514 posts)
11. i have been saying that for weeks...
Mon Jun 11, 2012, 07:33 PM
Jun 2012

bust ALEC under RICO... conspiracy to deny voting rights.. after all there has to be a reason all those major corporations fled ALEC.. don't suppose they knew what was coming..

longship

(40,416 posts)
8. Breaking: Florida Governor Rick Scott Announces Florida Will Sue Obama Administration Over Vot Purge
Mon Jun 11, 2012, 07:25 PM
Jun 2012

Your recent previous thread.

Who is suing whom? Or are both suing each other? Or will there be open warfare on the borders of the sunshine state? Enquiring minds want to know!

I am hoping for a final shoot out in the midst of hungry alligator and python infested Everglades National Park. That's good entertainment to say nothing about good eating, for the reptilians at least.

longship

(40,416 posts)
15. A perfect storm of litigation.
Mon Jun 11, 2012, 08:32 PM
Jun 2012

Like two rams butting heads. We know that Holder is holding (so to speak) all the cards.

Hope the media picks this up. I pray every night that Entertainment Tonight will cover it.

on edit: still hoping for Everglades action.
ET would have to cover it. Hell, Fox would cover it.

TrollBuster9090

(5,953 posts)
22. As I understand it, DOJ is suing Florida over the voter's list purge, and Florida is suing
Tue Jun 12, 2012, 04:38 AM
Jun 2012

the Department of Homeland Security, ostensibly to get access to some secret list that has information on non-citizens living in Florida. My take on it is:

a) The lawsuit by Florida is just a pathetic threat to give incentive to the DOJ to drop their lawsuit, and behind the scenes they're saying "you drop your lawsuit against us, and we'll drop our suit against you," despite the two being more or less unrelated. I say 'pathetic threat' because the voter suppression lawsuit will be easy to prove, while I don't think the Homeland Security lawsuit will get very far. It amounts to Scott bringing a knife to a gunfight because it's better than nothing.

b) The Republican move to hold a vote on holding Holder in contempt of Congress over Fast and Furious is also a threat to encourage DOJ to drop the Florida thing. (And yeah, I think I deserve extra points for the alliteration of holding a vote holding Holder in contempt.)

ProfessionalLeftist

(4,982 posts)
10. So - writing them letters (they got 3 from me as the story developed)
Mon Jun 11, 2012, 07:31 PM
Jun 2012

DOES help. Quite a few DUers told me it would do no good.

goclark

(30,404 posts)
12. Thanks ProfessionalLeftist
Mon Jun 11, 2012, 07:55 PM
Jun 2012

for taking the time to write such important letters.

Are there some addresses to send to now?

What words should my letters contain?

Thanks!

ProfessionalLeftist

(4,982 posts)
16. The last letter I sent them . . .
Mon Jun 11, 2012, 08:46 PM
Jun 2012

to: Voting.Section@usdoj.gov
cc: aclufl@aclufl.org
cc: The White House (via website)
cc BarackObama.com (via website)

SUBJECT: FL Governor Rick Scott Defies DOJ, Vows to Continue Illegal Voter Purge

Despite a Justice Department letter, objections from county elections
officials, that a disproportionate number of voters affected are
voters of color, and that a primary election is scheduled within 90
days, Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner's office stated again
just yesterday that they plan continue purging the state's voter
rolls.

Governor Scott’s administration claims that the Department of Justice
doesn’t understand two federal voting laws at the heart of the dispute
and that DOJ is protecting potentially illegal voters more than legal
ones.

SOURCE: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/06/2835732/feds-erred-in-demanding-florida.html

After the Department of Justice has made clear to the state of Florida
that its current voter purge activity is in violation of both Section
5 of the Voting Rights Act and the National Voter Registration Act, it
is also clear that the state's officials intend to continue breaking
the law.

"Voter fraud" is statistically NONEXISTENT in this country. ELECTION
fraud, however, is rampant - as we can see by what Governor Rick Scott
is doing in Florida and similar efforts in other states such as
Colorado, New Mexico and others. Other vote(er)-restricting activities
being enacted across the nation include onerous and expensive "Voter
ID" laws apparently designed to keep voters of certain demographics
from voting, and restrictions on or complete elimination of voter
registration drives, early voting, and one-stop voting.

There are virulent factions in this country that would like to prevent
many eligible voters from exercising their right to vote, rather than
helping them to do so. These entities seek to disenfranchise many
eligible voters beneath the pretense of "preventing fraud" (fraud that
is statistically nonexistent - which gives lie to their stated
purpose).

"There's a fiendish cleverness in perpetrating a fraud in broad
daylight, at the same time as you tell the people that it must be done
to guard against - you guessed it - fraud." - (SOURCE:
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/republicans-plot-to-steal-white-house-20120602-1zofk.html)

The right to vote is at the very core of our Democracy in the United
States. When this right is being threatened by multiple factions and
particularly when those threats are obviously designed to
disenfranchise (a) particular demographic(s) of voters, this cannot be
allowed to stand.

It is very much appreciated that the Department of Justice has made
efforts to halt the illegal activity in Florida, and I hope that FL
state officials comply with its requests. If it is true however, that
Ken Detzner and Governor Rick Scott intend to flout the DOJ's request
and the nation's voter registration and election laws, then I hope you
stand ready to take further immediate action to sue the state of
Florida for these violations.

Your continued attention to these matters is very much requested and
appreciated.

- a concerned citizen and voter

amerciti001

(158 posts)
13. He'll file a motion to dismiss...
Mon Jun 11, 2012, 08:03 PM
Jun 2012

the lawsuit on the grounds that there are no factual basis for the lawsuit and as Governor he doesn't need to respond. After all, as Governor he's above the law and whatever he says the law is.

Stuart G

(38,361 posts)
17. There is factual bases..
Mon Jun 11, 2012, 09:01 PM
Jun 2012

Written reports as well as oral reports from Election Supervisers as to othe inaccracy of the purge as of this date..
And he will need to respond..It is the law..

 

HooptieWagon

(17,064 posts)
18. Yep. Lets see the DOJ depose Scott under oath...
Mon Jun 11, 2012, 09:27 PM
Jun 2012

And hear his testimony about the rampant voter fraud. Then, I suppose he could also be asked why the republicans havent done anything about this alleged "voter fraud" until now, despite controlling the Florida legislature, Governorship, and Cabinet for the past 20 years.

 

just1voice

(1,362 posts)
21. Read the whole letter, it doesn't say what any penalties are other than Florida court appearance
Tue Jun 12, 2012, 12:45 AM
Jun 2012

It says Florida is in violation of the Voting Rights Act but doesn't say what any penalties are. It won't intimidate anyone.

bigtree

(85,918 posts)
23. I think this still applies
Tue Jun 12, 2012, 10:03 AM
Jun 2012

Voting Rights Act of 1965

SEC. 12. (a) Whoever shall deprive or attempt to deprive any person of any right secured by section 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, or 10 or shall violate section 11(a) or (b), shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

 

Doctor_J

(36,392 posts)
25. Plan to sue???
Tue Jun 12, 2012, 11:03 AM
Jun 2012

So that 2 years from now some fines might be assessed???

Arrest, indict, imprison - all before August 1.

indypaul

(949 posts)
27. What is needed is a Grand Jury
Tue Jun 12, 2012, 11:29 AM
Jun 2012

to proceed an investigation into who directed this process to begin with.

Who wrote the code and at whose direction was selection criteria made
and for what purpose. At whose direction were the data files selected to
compare? Answer these questions and then decide if there is an honest
effort to clean up the files or an attempt to deprive certain persons of
their right to vote. Lawsuits and injunctions are only a waste of time and
effort when there appears to be possible criminal activity. Don't waste
anymore of our time and get the ball rolling.

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