| Author | Message | ||
     Azmera Newbie Poster Username: Azmera Post Number: 4 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: |
You would think that in 40 years we wouldn't have to still be fighting old fights like the right to vote, which makes me wonder why it's still and act and not a bill or law or an amendment in the first place. For we should have to have to extend every couple of years because it is actually provided for in the 14 to the 16 amendment but wasn't enforced. What get me is that people think just because it is extended means a whole heck of a lot because if you haven't changed people's mind sets extending the voting rights act won't change much for look at the last couple of elections and see what having it has really done. It's just a part of history that a lot of people have no clue about. | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 951 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: N/A |
The proceedings are being broadcast on C-SPAN right now. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 5203 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Azmera, This is LARGELY a states' rights issue. The states want to be able to retain some control over who can and can't vote. So there's some question about whether the necessary super majorities of the US Congress and of the individual states could be garnered to ratify an amendment to the constitution that PERMANENTLY reduced states' control over their electoral policies and procedures. So basically this ongoing re-approval of the Voting Rights Act is a concessionary measure between Federal power and State power. I'm just thinking aloud here. But part of me wonders if it were better the Voting Right Act was discontinued. Because perhaps the fury of some good American BLACK citizens being denied assess to the polls might precipitate some much needed attention on the nations electoral processes as a whole which might lead to some more meaningful and PERMANENT protections. | ||
| Azmera Newbie Poster Username: Azmera Post Number: 7 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
That may be true Abm for to me when it says every vote counts it should actually be every vote that counts. If they went on who got the most votes then some elections would actually come out different then who got the most states and all that. Plus the voting system needs to be universal so that there will be no if and or buts about who won or who lost. elections should be where either you vote early or you vote in that 12 hour period on that one day. for it should be about a week as in 5 to 7 days to make sure anyone who wants to vote can vote and if you are standing in line then you should be able to vote and not all that mess we have been having. There has got to be an easier way to do it than how it is being done right now. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 5207 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Azmera, The saying "every vote counts" makes for a clever, rallying sound bite. But don't have much of anything to do with REALITY. There always has been and likely always will be some unfairness and inconsistencies in the electoral process. Because there's too much money and power at stake for foks to avoid trying to sway things in their favor. My biggest problems the electoral process are as follows: @ The relative SHORT time period one has to vote during election day. The current system favors the rich and aged because both usually have much more flexibility over their schedules. @ Inconsistencies amongst the states regarding whether and when ex-convicts can votes. I think it's grossly WRONG for a nation/state to be able to prohibit one from voting who has paid his/her penance to society, ESPECIALLY when they are paying taxes and fulfilling their other duties/responsibilities as citizens. @ The existence and structure of the Electoral College is a GROSS violation of any semblance of "every vote counts". Because it basically gives the smaller (and usually much WHITER) states a decided ADVANTAGE during a presidental election. That's why Al Gore got over a half million MORE votes than Bush yet Bush was elected president (and, yes, for the purposes of brevity, I've conveniently put aside the Florida fiasco). The reason why we never fix the issues at the polls is because most of us are only really concerned about such on or immediately after Election Day when curing these problems require much more time, effort and focus. Those who want to maintain and benefit from the status quo KNOWS that and use our laziness and lethargy against us. | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 960 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: N/A |
Most people don't have a clue as to how elections work. When you vote in the presidential primaries - you've got to go back to your precinct at the end of the day for a precinct convention - that's actually how your vote counts (this is here in Texas - don't know how the other states work it): Precinct Convention The precinct convention is the first step in the Party process. A precinct convention is held on the night of the primary election at each polling place after the polls close. If it is not held at the polling place, notice of where the convention will be held must be posted at the polling place. Anyone voting in the Primary in that precinct may attend and will be considered a delegate to the precinct convention. If you want to attend your precinct convention, make sure the election clerk stamps your voter registration card with the Party name when you vote. If you do not have your voter registration card at the time, ask for a Certificate of Party Affiliation showing that you voted in the Party’s primary. This will make it easier to get into the precinct convention. The convention generally begins at 7:00 or 7:30 p.m., and is usually called to order by the precinct chairman. If the precinct chairman is absent, any delegate may open the meeting. There is no minimum number of people who must be present to hold the precinct convention. If you are the only person present, ask the election judge for the precinct convention packet, and hold the convention by yourself. The packet will have instructions, and the required paperwork that must be turned in to the local Republican Party headquarters by the date set forth in the packet to be valid. Delegates to the precinct convention first elect permanent convention officers, usually a convention chairman and secretary. They then elect delegates and alternates to their county or state senatorial district convention. Finally, they consider and vote on any resolutions offered by the delegates. Each precinct is allocated an equal number of delegates and alternates to the county or senatorial district convention. The number is based on the number of votes the precinct cast for the governor in the last gubernatorial election, taking into account any applicable boundary changes. So your vote only counts if you make it count by going back for the precinct convention. But unfortunately, most ppl don't know this. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 5226 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Mzuri, I agree foks should be more knowledgeable of the electoral process. Who teaches foks about what you describe? Hell. Where does anyone even MENTION that stuff? With some rare exceptions, none of our families, schools, civic groups, press and most CERTAINLY not our government and politicians. The biggest problem I see with the Primary is other than the hardcore partisan types (e.g., Evangelical Christian whackos on the Right and Gay Rights fanatics on the Left), too few foks actually vote in them at all. | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 981 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: N/A |
ABM - The above is how it is done here in Texas. I do not know if other states use this method, but would venture to guess that things are more involved in the other states as well. The only reason that I became aware of any of this is because I worked on a local presidential campaign way back in the day. And part of that experience was going back to the precinct in the evening, and the leader of my group was trying to get the other candidate's supporters to come over to our side - it was kind of like an auction or something. I never knew any of that sort of thing went on. I have since been a precinct chair myself and so I am VERY familiar with this process. Most ppl don't even know how delegates are selected to go to the national conventions, and probably aren't familiar with how the electoral college works either. Since I'm a believer of individual responsibility and seeking out enlightenment for yourself - I think that ppl should find out how things really work or else they'll just continue to believe they're effecting a change when they're really not doing anything. People need to get involved - it's really not that complicated. |
