As Maryland Radically Liberalizes Voting Laws, Media Remains Silent
Published February 24, 2006
(And it should be noted that Republicans are not the only ones who know how to enact election reform on a partisan basis. Witness the controversy over Maryland's new election reforms.)
Truly, Mr. Hasen's mention of Maryland's controversial liberalization of its voting laws is the merest of afterthoughts. What Mr. Hasen fails to do, however, is note that these so-called "reforms" were obtained only after overriding Governor Ehrlich's vetos three times in a one-month period! Mr. Hasen also fails to note that Democrats in Maryland may soon be overriding the Governor a fourth time as they push through their next so-called "election reform" bill, which allows convicted criminals to register and vote in Maryland immediately after being released from jail.
At least, though, it can be said of Mr. Hasen, a Loyola Law School professor, that he took some notice of changes being made in Maryland. The question now remains, what about the rest of the media? And it is appropriate to question the integrity of local Maryland media on this issue, even above the national media. After all, many issues aired by the national media come directly from local and state news sources.
So, why the virtual white-out of such an important issue, one which many Maryland Democrats are likely to care about as well? Why does the media not even take the time to praise Maryland's GA for it's heroic override of three gubernatorial vetos?
If one were to Google the issue of "election reform" as it relates to "Republican efforts" throughout the US, you would find no shortage of media attention, at every level. But this effort, here in Maryland, as ground-breaking and earth-shattering as it is, is a non-event in the eyes of the media.
This is not just a simple oversight on their part. After all, quite a few journalists and media establishments have called for exactly these kinds of "reforms," especially after the 2000 and 2004 elections. Well, Maryland's GA has done exactly that, and, in the process overrode fourteen other gubernatorial vetos, just in January of this year.
Where's the outrage? Where's the praise? Where in the world are the heroic men and women of the media?
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- As Maryland Radically Liberalizes Voting Laws, Media Remains Silent
- Published: February 24, 2006
- Type: News
- Section: Politics
- Filed Under: Culture: Media, Politics: U.S.
- Writer: David Flanagan
- David Flanagan's BC Writer page
- David Flanagan's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
Red,
Seems to me I've heard that argument, but I don't see any evidence of what you're talking about. Please enlighten me regarding all of these "outrageous laws."
And please don't start with laws pertaining to ID requirements. Most other democratic nations, including Iraq, have much higher standards of proof that are required for citizens to vote. Requiring some kind of identification is minor.
David
It would have been nice if you had actually mentioned what the reforms are.
I agree with you David. Only someone who is up to no good themselves would be against voter ID laws. The Democrats objected when the state of Georgia wanted to pass a voter id law saying that old people and poorr people wouldn't be able to get to the town or state offices to obtain a valid ID. This begs the question if they can't get to the correct government office to obtain an ID how will they get thier on election day? Are they all using write-in ballots.
But this is beside the point anyhow as the government in Georgia even offered to go to people's homes and bring them to get IDs if they couldn't find thier own transportation yet the Dems still objected.
I guess the Dems can't win an election without all that "undocumented worker" (illegal alien) support.
While I don't see a problem in general with this sort of bill, in a state as notorious for rampant corruption and vote fraud as Maryland I'd be very hesitant to pass such a thing. Maryland would certainly be in my top 3 of states where I'd expect a system like this to lead to massive fraud.
Dave
which allows convicted criminals to register and vote in Maryland immediately after being released from jail
Well there's a break for Lindy England.
Dave
Maryland - Darn. Please allow only US Citizens to vote in our state. Please make some rules as to when you can regain the right to vote in the event you spend time in Jail. Please don't create a voting block of illegals and of criminals. Please Maryland - democrats and republicans let the legal residents of Maryland be the ones who vote. Any more I'd just as soon see all the politicians be forced to have a real job instead of one where their special interest and ego's go wild.
Jim Goff - Germantown
To #3 Fifth Dentist... click on the blue highlighted words and phrases to read details of the reforms mentioned in the article.
Let me get this straight -- Iraq should be our model for an electoral system?
It's election day. I got mugged in DC late last week and have no picture ID. I'm grateful I didn't lose my right to vote along with my wallet.
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/44075)
Republicans pass all kinds of outrageous laws, including poll taxes, to block minorities and others from voting. Republican's are well known for voter intimidation, handing out flyers announcing the wrong election day, and vast numbers of other abuses. I'm sure the Diebold machines will just be set to counteract the Maryland changes.
I'm glad Maryland is making it easier for people to have there voice heard, that is what Democracy was supposed to be about.