None of the Democrats voted against it, but 33 Republicans believe it should be removed.
2006-07-27 14:03:56 · 12 answers · asked by Killer 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
they wanted to give the rules of voting back to the states where it may be conceivable that the states would discriminate against certain voters
2006-07-27 14:07:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems some Southern conservatives are a little sensitive, shall we say, about the fact that their states (who have a history of racial discrimination, by the way), are subject to federal oversight of their election laws.
Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, Republican of Georgia, said "By passing this rewrite of the Voting Rights Act, Congress is declaring from on high that states with voting problems 40 years ago can simply never be forgiven."
Memo to Rep. Westmoreland: This isn't about not forgiving the sins of the past.
Westmoreland doesn't like the fact that her state of Georgia is one of those that must receive approval from the Department of Justice, or a federal judge, before changing their election laws.
But recent events in Georgia have shown that this oversight is necessary.
It just so happens that this week, a federal judge blocked the state of Georgia from implementing its revised voter ID law. Last year, Georgia tried to implement a voter ID law which would have required residents without ID, to purchase a state-issued ID in order to vote. But a judge struck it down, saying it was tantamount to an unconstitutional poll tax, because there was a fee attached to the IDs.
The state legislature revised the law to make the IDs free, but the federal judge says that it still denies equal protection under the law.
So you see, Rep. Westmoreland, this isn't about the need to forgive the racist past of certain states.
This is about today. Here and now. It's about ensuring that equal access to the ballot box, and not imposing unreasonable barriers that block minority access to the ballot box.
House OKs renewing 1965 Voting Rights Act
Ga. judge blocks voter ID law enforcement
2006-07-27 14:43:21 · answer #2 · answered by tough as hell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For starters this act as needed when implemented back in 1965. It does nothing more than back up the 15th amendment. Now its a feel good act with lots of words and politicians use it to show that they are working for minorities. Both sides use it to their advantage. The ones who voted it down were protesting the use of their states names. If they all voted it down tomorrow, nothing would change at all. No rights would be taken away, and no rights would be gained. This was a press op, that's all.
2006-07-27 14:15:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Silly, they only want Iraqis to vote. That's why Bush is spending your grandchildrens' future. So that Iraqis can vote. And those republicans really miss the good old days when they could lynch a ***** for wanting to exercize his or her right to vote. Ah, those glorious cross-burning days, when a white man could walk down the sidewalk and a ***** had to step aside! Now, a white man might get knocked on his white derriere if he voices such a desire as the return of the good old days. But, these duly elected congressmen exercized their option to show the country just what right-wing neo-nazis they are. And ofcourse George, Grand Cyclops of the Loyal Order of Demogues, Bush is their fearless leader and inspiration. We are just so f--ked!
2006-07-27 14:14:35 · answer #4 · answered by Tom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
According to the New York Times report, some republicans believed that it unfairly singles out southern states, and requires printing ballots in foreign languages.
2006-07-27 14:07:46 · answer #5 · answered by nkasoff 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they believe there should be some standards for who can vote. Democrats thrive of the vote of ignorant people so of course they are all against it.
2006-07-27 14:08:17 · answer #6 · answered by thatoneguy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i'm with them. can we truly choose a voting rights act anymore? Hell, even unlawful mexicans are voting right here. If a black guy can't figure the thanks to vote there is not any act that can assist him.
2016-10-15 07:02:00 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They know most minorities vote democrat, so they wanted only whites to vote... The fact that they would do that just shows what kind of racist douches they are.
2006-07-27 14:11:57 · answer #8 · answered by RATM 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Everything the original roting rights act prohibited is unconstitutional anyway. Renewing the act was pure political pandering.
2006-07-27 14:08:28 · answer #9 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
didn't hear that anyone voted against it
2006-07-27 14:08:17 · answer #10 · answered by wolfman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋