Obama Introduces Voting Reform Bill: "Deceptive Practices & Voter Intimidation Act"

[AtomicKitten]

Today, Senator Barack Obama from Illinois introduced the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Act to ensure civil and criminal penalties for those who engage in voter suppression through disinformation and dirty tricks.

If passed, Sen. Obama’s bill would do the following for ALL federal elections starting in 2008:

* Make it a federal crime to communicate false information about the time or place of voting, the voting eligibility of any voter, or the party affiliation or endorsements of any candidate
* Allow any person or voter who has been harmed by false statements immediately preceding a federal election to obtain an injunction stopping the deceptive practices
* Require the U.S. Attorney General to investigate every claim of deceptive practices, and submit a public report on all claims to Congress
* Require the Attorney General to ensure the immediate release of corrective information in affected communities

Since its original introduction in 2005, PFAW staff and our allies have worked closely with Sen. Obama’s office to make sure this bill is as effective as possible at stopping voter disenfranchisement though deceptive practices.

TAKE ACTION: http://actions.pfaw.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=enJHKINrFqG&b=848093&aid=7988

[mzmolly]

1. Ahhhhhhhhh,

*sigh of relief* now, let it pass quickly!

[PDJane]

2. I'd be happier if

it also mentioned paper ballots or a verifiable paper trail.

[Bullet1987]

3. Where are all the anti-Obama people now?

[illinoisprogressive]

5. Hey, I'm from Illinois and have been supporting my senator the whole time.

[illinoisprogressive]

4. Might be because there is going to be hearings on the machines.

They may have decided to leave this one alone until it's more clear what is going on in regards to the machines.
Many are not being certified and the Senate may want to hold off on this to see what happens with the hearings.

[mzmolly]

6. There is load of legislation pending on that issue already.

But, we do need a paper trail as well.

[sandnsea]

7. This is excellent

I got this in my email from PFAW and hadn't read it yet. Sounds fantastic. We have to get people TO the polls before we can really see what's happening with the votes.

[OregonBlue]

8. The debate has to be very public. Love to see the Publicans defend their illegal practices!!