Posted on 07/02/2017 5:05:08 AM PDT by Enlightened1
As the Trump administration looks to clamp down on widespread reports of voter fraud and abuse, some mainly liberal states are pushing back — fearing that Trump is launching a “voter suppression” commission.
Trump’s Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity has asked the states to hand over data from their voter rolls. According to Axios, that includes voter information regarding felony convictions, military status, and voter history. They have set a deadline for the middle of July.
However, the outlet reports that the commission is getting pushback from mainly liberal states such as California, Virginia, Connecticut, and Vermont — with some refusing to comply altogether and others handing over what is publicly available. However, some red states, such as Oklahoma and Kentucky (which is headed by a Democratic governor), have also pushed back against the effort.
Trump has frequently highlighted alleged cases of voter fraud and has even claimed that he would have won the popular vote in the 2016 election if the number of illegally cast votes was discounted. In May he signed an executive order setting up the commission to investigate those reports.
However, the states objecting have said they won’t comply if they believe the effort is more likely to produce voter suppression rather than the stated goal of election integrity.
California’s Secretary of State, Alex Padilla, objected in part to anti-immigration hardliner and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s appointment as vice chair of the commission.
His role as vice chair is proof that the ultimate goal of this commission is to enact policies that will result in the disenfranchisement of American citizens,” he said.
“This entire commission is based on the specious and false notion that there was widespread voter fraud last November,” Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe...
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
>>>>*** However, some red states, such as Oklahoma and Kentucky (which is headed by a Democratic governor), have also pushed back against the effort.***
>>Wrong. Matt Bevin is governor of Kentucky and is a strong, pro-life, conservative Republican
As usual, life is more complicated than a binary “red state / blue state” view of the world.
KY has a Republican governor, Matt Bevin, who I like a lot. If you haven’t seen his recent (last month or so) Facebook video calling the media to task for lying, you need to. KY also voted for Trump. Their Congressional delegation is majority Republican, as are both their Senators. Put all this together, and they are a “red state”.
However, the state official in charge of elections in most states, and in KY, is the Secretary of State. In KY, and many states, this is a statewide elected official. In KY this is Alison Grimes (D), which is why we have a “red state” opposing release of basic data needed for hard proof of election fraud.
Not according to one of my local election officials, who told me there is no election fraud. Anywhere. Ever. I kid you not.
I’m surprised that Indiana is on the list of those states not willing to work with this investigation. Why? Because of the verified cases of voter fraud by the Dems that was done in the last two elections that people are in prison for doing.
Those states that complain and resist the most should be looked at most intensely.
> if they believe the effort is more likely to produce voter suppression rather than the stated goal of election integrity.
Maybe they could join the effort and help ensure election integrity and trust in the results.
I’ve felt the same about voter ID for 20 years - if you don’t like the way it’s being done, help out and propose changes or other ways we can have elections that voters trust. It’s not simply important that we have fair elections, but also that voters trust that they are fair. And it’s not a partisan issue - when a D is elected, you want 1/2 the voters to be able to point out problems with the vote and your only response is “it’s just a few people and didn’t change the result”.
My only conclusion is that Ds don’t think they can win in a fair election and would rather not have voters trust the results than ensure election integrity.
One should remember an important amnesty law went into effect in 1986. You can see republican support in percentages has reduced since that time. If DJT does not get registration validation implemented, democrats will continue to invent phantom voters, and import new voters until they destroy the country.
Does Trump have the power of the purse to hold back funding from those states that refuse to comply? If the non complying states have nothing to hide then why are they resisting the request for the voter rolls? Hit them in the pocket book and maybe, just maybe some will change their tune.
Jefferson City, Mo. — Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft issued the following statement regarding a letter received on June 28 from the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity:
“For 40 years under Missouri law (Ch. 115.157, RSMo) certain data is publicly available. The commission’s letter asks for ‘publicly-available’ information, which we would share with any person or organization making an open records request. We will protect Missourians’ private information. The laws of each state are different, and in Missouri, some of the data requested by the commission is open to the public. We plan to comply by providing publicly-available information per state law.
“The commission’s questions are fair and we will be glad to assist in offering our thoughts on these important matters. I look forward to working with Secretary Kris Kobach and the commission on its findings and offer our support in the collective effort to enhance the American people’s confidence in the integrity of the elections process.”
“Not according to one of my local election officials, who told me there is no election fraud. Anywhere.”
That sounds exactly what the county clerk in my county says as she’s up to her eyeballs in helping to facilitate the fraud through rigging the electronic tabulators.
“ALL voters should be required to show proof of eligibility to vote.”.......
Here in Wisconsin, you don’t get past the front door on election day to cast your votes UNLESS you show positive proof of I.D., at least that is the case where I live.
Grimes IS Grimy!
I went to school with Jim Hood and have never liked him too much, more so now.
Sounds like a solid plan to me.
AND...institute the “purple finger dip” to curtail double voting.
I’d be glad to do it.
You're right Liz. This is where the swamp extends out to the States...
Terrific insight.......connects the dots....from the voting booth to the swamp.
However, the states objecting have said they won’t comply if they believe the effort is more likely to produce voter suppression rather than the stated goal of election integrity. <<
yup..its all about “”if they believe”...”if they feel”..
Never about “LEGAL VOTING”
To be honest, I have a problem with the federal government getting voter rolls. I think - in theory - it should be up to states to manage even for presidential electors and they can do it however they want. It would be very dangerous if Obama’s WH got all state rolls and I can’t say it’s ok for Trump’s WH because I think it’s safe.
But we are at a position where the potential fraud as well as distrust of results is so high that it needs to be dealt with. And the unwillingness of states to deal with problems means the feds need to do it (as much as I hate ever having to say that) I don’t think it should be done by the president alone though - congress needs to be in charge of this. The fact that they aren’t is a potential constitutional crisis (unlike Trump’s tweets) and the media should focus real issues that could come to crisis.
California’s Secretary of State, Alex Padilla, objected in part to anti-immigration hardliner and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s appointment as vice chair of the commission.
...
I’m surprised this kind of garbage statement is allowed at Breitbart.
This action (asking for voter rolls) is the ultimate in swamp draining. Think about it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.