The Needle is Moving Toward Election IntegrityA number of events this week serve as a testament to the accomplishments earned toward election integrity. North Carolina’s signing of a strong voter ID law was just one success we witnessed. This week we’ll review a number of areas where voters’ rights won the legal, legislative and messaging battle.
 Speaking Truth to Power in Maryland Last week True the Vote updated you on Election Integrity Maryland’s ongoing struggle to even ASK the State Board of Elections questions about voter roll maintenance. The Board’s refusal to answer questions already runs afoul of federal court precedent, according to TTV attorney J. Christian Adams. This week the story got even more interesting.
On Monday, True the Vote announced 173 cases of interstate voter fraud between Maryland and Florida. The finding raised enough eyebrows for a state assemblywoman to call for an investigation into the matter.
This case serves as a perfect example of how True the Vote and local election integrity advocates can work together and affect change.
 Voter ID, Fraud and Suppression Be it in North Carolina or the nation at large, photo voter identification laws are practically bulldozing any naysayers in their path on popularity alone. Two recent polls show frightening results for anyone who tries to organize against the election integrity measure. On July 25th, a McClatchy-Marist poll showed that 83% of Americans support the enactment of voter ID laws. But look deeper in the poll. Supporters are more likely to be a minority, not college educated, female and make less than $50,000/year.
The Washington Post followed up this week with a new poll that takes a different look at the popular policy. Unsurprisingly, voter ID in general is supported nationally by 74%. But more important, the poll drives a border between identification laws and “voter suppression.” How can 74% of Americans support the policy and yet be concerned about voter suppression at a rate of 73%? Because Americans see them as separate issues. The Post asked, “Do you think voter suppression that is, eligible voters taken off registration lists or denied the right to vote — is a major problem, a minor problem or not a problem in presidential elections?” That number should be higher – because such action is an affront to voters’ rights.
The same poll found that 81% of Americans believe that voter fraud is a problem in presidential elections.
The Times They Are A-Changin’ UC Davis Professor Rick Hasen publishes an election law blog that has, at times, been critical of True the Vote. But this week there was a BREAKTHROUGH that we want to recognize. Rather than fomenting more racialist anger like many of his colleagues, he’s now promoting a measure to comply with voter ID requirements. Basing his change of heart on the fact that litigation will not ultimately prove successful, he’s directing readers to so-called ‘voter ID clinics.’ Our hat is off to you, Professor. You’re working with the good guys now.
On the Horizon: Texas, North Carolina, Colorado & California Despite our recent legal and message victories, we cannot dare rest on our laurels. Texas is gearing up to fight the Holder DOJ to prevent the state from being placed under federal control. TTV will be announcing its legal intervention in the weeks ahead. Meanwhile, North Carolina faces the same threat – but they won’t face it alone. In Colorado and California, we’ve seen radical new laws and election overhauls that are a criminally-minded, political operative’s dream. The only chance to stop them is in the courts. We have our work cut out for us. We need your help.
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