[UPDATED to reflect the successful adoption of the resolution.]
While Republican state legislatures around the nation have been working to limit access to the polls over recent years, Democrats moved a non-partisan initiative forward over the weekend to help expand — or, at least, to help protect — the franchise for all Americans.
At their Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, the Democratic National Committee unanimously voted to adopt a resolution calling for a “Right-to-Vote” Amendment to be added to the U.S. Constitution.
According to the resolution, posted in full below, the Democrats are calling for “amending the United States Constitution to explicitly guarantee an individual’s right to vote.”
The resolution also calls on “state parties to work with state lawmakers and others to access the need to petition for a statewide referendum on the November 2016 general election ballot (and all states where this is possible), advocating to amend the United States Constitution to explicitly guarantee an individual’s right to vote.”
As the document stresses, there is currently no such explicit right stated in our nation’s founding document, although several amendments bar the restriction of access to the polls based on race, sex and age. It also notes that while, in the past, the U.S. Supreme Court “has called the right to vote a fundamental right,” the court’s 2013 decision striking down a key element of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has served to “undermine” that right.
“Of the 119 nations that elect their public officials using some form of democratic elections,” the resolution notes, “108 have the right to vote in their constitution, but the United States is one of the 11 nations — including Australia, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, India, Indonesia, Nauru, Samoa, and the United Kingdom — that does not explicitly contain a citizen’s right to vote in its constitution.”
“A ‘right to vote’ constitutional amendment applies to and should be supported by all Americans because it is (a) nonpartisan – not Democratic, Republican or independent; (b) non-ideological – not liberal or conservative; (c) non-programmatic – it does not require you to support or oppose any particular legislative program(s); and (d) non-special interest – its application is not limited to minorities, women, labor, business, seniors, lesbians and gays or any other special interest groups.”
The full resolution, adopted on Saturday, February 21, 2015, at the DNC Winter Meeting, follows below…
Submitted by: Donna Brazile, DNC Vice Chair/District of Columbia
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, DNC Chair/Florida
Christine Pelosi, California
Maria Elena Durazo, DNC Vice Chair/California
Anita Bonds, Chair, District of Columbia
Leah Daughtry, At-Large/New York
Bel Leong-Hong, At-Large/Maryland
Minyon Moore, At-Large/District of Columbia
Virgie Rollins, National Federation of Democratic Women/Michigan
Lottie Shackelford, At-Large/Arkansas
James Zogby, At-Large/District of Columbia
Resolution on a Right-to-Vote Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
WHEREAS, in a democracy, the right to vote is a moral imperative, the most fundamental legal right and is protective of all other rights; and
WHEREAS, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the 1965 Voting Rights Act he said, “The right to vote is the basic right, without which all others are meaningless”; and
WHEREAS, each state, except for the State of Arizona, has explicitly enshrined the right to vote with at least some level of protection in its state constitution; and
WHEREAS, nowhere in the United States Constitution is there an explicit declaration of the right to vote, which weakens protection in federal courts and undercuts state voting rights protections due to state courts often “lock stepping” rights to the level of support provided federally; and
WHEREAS, the United State Supreme Court has called the right to vote a fundamental right, this fundamental right should be explicitly guaranteed to all Americans in the U.S. Constitution; and
WHEREAS, as President Barack Obama, as a professor of constitutional law at the University of Chicago, began each of his constitutional law classes sharing with his students the surprising fact that an explicit “federal individual right to vote” is not in the U.S. Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the only reference to an individual right to vote in the original U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights is the requirement that any citizen qualified to vote for a member of a state’s most “numerous house of the state legislature” is eligible to vote for Members of the House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, the Constitution has been amended 17 times since the passage of the Bill of Rights and 7 of those amendments pertain to voting – 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 23rd, 24th and 26th – but none of them add the explicit, fundamental, affirmative, individual, citizenship or federal right to vote to the Constitution; and
WHEREAS, three amendments outlaw discrimination in voting, whether on the basis of race (15th) with the 1965 Voting Rights Act serving as the implementing legislation for this amendment 95 years later, sex (19th), or age (26th); and
WHEREAS, a right to vote constitutional amendment would fulfill the promise of the 15th, 19th and 26th Amendments; and
WHEREAS, of the 119 nations that elect their public officials using some form of democratic elections, 108 have the right to vote in their constitution, but the United States is one of the 11 nations – including Australia, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, India, Indonesia, Nauru, Samoa, and the United Kingdom – that does not explicitly contain a citizen’s right to vote in its constitution; and
WHEREAS, with the exception of certain federal laws such as the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, the Help America Vote Act of 2002 and the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act of 2009, the U.S. has virtually no national uniform standards for voting systems controlled by the states; and
WHEREAS, since voting is a state right, with virtually no national uniform standards, we have ended up with multiple and varied election systems in the 50 states (plus the District of Columbia), 3,143 counties (or county equivalents), and about 13,000 local voting jurisdictions that administer about 186,000 precincts, all organized and controlled and managed by local election officials with 86% of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act Preclearance objections involving local, not national or state, voting issues; and
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has unfortunately undermined the right to vote in recent years, notably in its 2013 decision of Shelby County v. Holder which made the preclearance requirement ineffective and, as Freedom Rider, Selma marcher and US Congressman John Lewis so aptly stated, “struck a dagger in the heart of the Voting Rights Act”; and
WHEREAS, since 2014 at least 83 restrictive voting rights bills were introduced in 29 states, and the Brennan Center reports that 21 states have enacted restrictive voting laws since 2011, including North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin, and that in Texas alone this will affect more than 600,000 adult-age citizens who do not have state-issued photo identification; and
WHEREAS, voter turnout in November 2014 represented a smaller percentage of eligible voters than in a congressional election since 1942 , voter turnout in many primary elections in 2014 was at an all-time low in more than half of states holding primaries, and voter turnout in some major cities is now in single digits; and
WHEREAS, a “right to vote” constitutional amendment applies to and should be supported by all Americans because it is (a) nonpartisan – not Democratic, Republican or independent; (b) non-ideological – not liberal or conservative; (c) non-programmatic – it does not require you to support or oppose any particular legislative program(s); and (d) non-special interest – it’s application is not limited to minorities, women, labor, business, seniors, lesbians and gays or any other special interest groups;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) supports amending the United States Constitution to explicitly guarantee an individual’s right to vote; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the DNC will encourage state parties to work with state lawmakers and others to access the need to petition for a statewide referendum on the November 2016 general election ballot (and all states where this is possible), advocating to amend the United States Constitution to explicitly guarantee an individual’s right to vote; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the DNC specifically supports House and Senate Joint Resolutions which would amend the United States Constitution to explicitly guarantee an individual’s right to vote – e.g., such as resolution H.J. Res. 25 introduced into the 114th Congress by Congressman Mark Pocan of Wisconsin and Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the DNC supports H.R. 885 to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise the criteria for determining which States and political subdivisions are subject to section 4 of the Act, as introduced in the 114th Congress by Congressman James F. Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin along with 30 cosponsors, including several members of the Congressional Black Caucus; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the DNC will educate the general public on this issue by drafting and distributing this resolution in support of amending the United States Constitution to explicitly guarantee an individual’s right to vote and sharing the resolution with all appropriate governmental officials; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Democratic National Committee encourages other organizations and individuals – e.g., political organizations and leaders, religious organizations and leaders, civil rights organizations and leaders, other civic organizations and leaders, business organizations and leaders, voting rights organizations and leaders, labor organizations and leaders, women’s organizations and leaders, youth organizations and leaders, gay and lesbian organizations and leaders, environmental organizations and leaders – to pass organization resolutions to endorse amending the United States Constitution to explicitly guarantee an individual’s right to vote; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Democratic National Committee will establish a Right to Vote Taskforce to make recommendations on changes in laws, regulations, and practices designed to improve voter participation and better uphold voting rights in local, state, and national elections and consider changes to recommend to state and federal constitutions, statutes, and regulations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic National Committee will continue to work with members of Congress and the Obama Administration to repair the Voting Rights Act of 1965; and continue to work with various Secretaries of State and other election administrators to ensure all eligible citizens have access to the ballot box across the country.
I love this. The democrats actually have a good idea, but how will they find a way to mess this up too.
I am curious how this would effect laws that prohibit felons from voting. From what I see so far this is not addressed. Conservatives will have a field day spreading fear (whether it’s warranted or not) about how a huge block of angry black men (who are now incarcerated) will vote to change our everything to a heathen society.
I notice that the Resolution didn’t mention the right of 3rd partisans and Independents to vote for the candidates of their choice.
Why do we not count?
Don Webb @ 2:
Note, the resolution reads [emphasis in original]:
So, in that regard, your concern seems misplaced.
That said, I sense that you are talking about ballot access above, for candidates, (rather than access to the polls themselves). If so, that seems to be a different issue entirely (though not necessarily one of lesser importance.)
It’s better then nothing, but any resolution should include banning any voting machine in favor of hand counted paper ballots. I don’t see how HAVA brought about any kind of uniform voting standard anyway.
It would have been nice to come up with this sort of resolution while the Democrats had all three branches of government. I would prefer the Republicans to not steal offices as opposed to being embarrassed somehow by an amendment they would never vote for.
the right to vote means nothing without WE THE PEOPLE being able to oversee the counting of the votes
With the majority of states under GOP control, the rights of the people will not be honored. The Democrats can pose all they want, but it seems like they wait until they can do nothing about their proposal before they even bring it up. Talk is cheap, and so are the Democrats when they are busy selling out the American people.
Meanwhile, the GOP remain despicably unspeakable, so don’t go thinking I support those bastards.
This would be a very good time to get rid of the machines. It’s been around ten years and NPR had a segment about states needing to upgrade because the damn things are wearing out.
You know it will never happen. The election officials will just say they are under contract with the voting vendors. After this long, everybody probably thinks it would impossible to vote on paper ballots.
It’s very concerning that hand counted paper ballots wasn’t even brought up in the DNC proposal. I’ll bet if Howard Dean was still the chairman, it would have been.
Get rid of HAVA the so-called Help America Vote Act which forced those e-voting machines owned and controlled by the extreme, abusive right and which was pushed by lobbyist and criminal Jack Abramoff. Were politicians blackmailed into adopting?
http://www.veteranstoday.com/20...blackmail-ring
AIPAC and Abramoff Operated Child Sex Blackmail Ring
Posted by Stew Webb on February 2, 2014
Bev @ 8:
That article (as well as that website) is horseshit. Just FYI.
We have to help our kids and politicians, media and military escape their abusers.
Agreed that Veterans Today has authors that must be disinformation specialists, as subjects too far afield. However, Stew Webb provides more documentation and has been a whistleblower who “was responsible for the Congressional Investigations and hearings that lead to the Appointment of Independent Prosecutor Arlin Adams for in the 1989 HUD Hearings, the Silverado Savings and Loan Hearings, the Denver International Airport Frauds hearings, the MDC Holdings, Inc. NYSE Illegal Political Campaign Money Laundering Colorado’s biggest case aka Keating 5 hearings to name a few.”
He also names others in his writings.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/20...l-of-congress/
George Bush Pedophile Sex Ring and Blackmail of Congress
Posted by Stew Webb on January 12, 2015
The Franklin Cover Up is only the tip of the Iceberg
………….
And, there are second sources on this very uncomfortable topic. Whistleblowers need to be encouraged to testify, to save kids now and in the future. And, perhaps to save Democracy itself as there appears to be a link to rigged elections by the same people who abuse children.
http://www.opednews.com/article...20910-472.html
Still Evil after All These Years: The Franklin Scandal and Pedophilia in High Places
By Charles M. Young Posted by Dave Lindorff
The Omaha World-Herald was the foremost local cheerleader for persecuting teenagers instead of investigating their claims. One of its own columnists, Peter Citron, had a long history of arrests for pedophilia and child porn and was implicated by two witnesses at Larry King’s sex parties. The long-time publisher of the World-Herald, Harold Anderson, was a big supporter of Larry King and had raised money for the Franklin. During the 18 years that King presided over the Franklin, the newspaper never noticed that King was living a hugely expensive lifestyle when he was supposedly making $17,000 a year in salary. The World-Herald Company is co-owner of Election Software and Systems, which counts half the election ballots in the United States.
………….
http://franklinscandal.com/
THE FRANKLIN SCANDAL: A Story of Powerbrokers, Child Abuse & Betrayal
by Nick Bryant
The FRANKLIN SCANDAL is the story of a nationwide pedophile ring that pandered children to a cabal of the rich and powerful. The ring’s pimps were a pair of political powerbrokers who had access to the highest levels of our government. Nebraska legislators attempted to expose the network in 1989 and 1990, but the legislators’ efforts were followed by a rash of mysterious deaths and the overpowering responses of federal and local law enforcement, including the FBI and Justice Department, which effected an immaculate cover-up of the trafficking network.
The publisher is donating 50% of the book’s proceeds to organizations that assist abused children.
……………..
http://markcrispinmiller.com/20...fer-two-items/
The strange death of Nancy Schaefer (two items)
…Senator Schaefer led opposition to HB582 and SB304, two bills introduced by fellow Republicans that would have likely resulted in increasing child sex slave trafficking. These bills would have made it legal for teenagers to participate in certain illicit acts. The bills effectively removed the legal authority that police now have to pick teenagers up and get them into protective custody so that they can no longer be pimped for those acts.
As President of Georgia Eagle Forum, Nancy Schaefer planned to be in Alabama this weekend for an Eagle Forum convention. Instead she chose to stay in Georgia to develop new information that would have further exposed corruption in DFCS and beyond. Many Eagle forum members who were close to Sen. Schaefer were aware of her courageous efforts. None of them believe that either she or her husband was involved in any type of suicide.
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The same voting machine company: Election Systems and Software is also ES & S.
http://freepress.org/department...y/19/2012/4719
Who owns Scytl? George Soros isn’t in the voting machines, but the intelligence community is
by Gerry Bello
In 2010, Scytl purchased a 100% interest in SOE software, an up and coming player in the American elections market with their Clarity Software Suite which is used in 525 jurisdictions in 19 states. SOE has a strategic partnership with ES & S, the major marketer of electronic voting systems in the US. ES & S was sued by the US DOJ in 2009 on anti-trust grounds after purchasing Diebold’s elections division, Premier Election Solutions. ES & S subsequently sold Premier to rival manufacturer Dominion. Bob Urosevich, founder of ES & S, was also President of Diebold. In 2006 Urosevich was listed as managing director of Scytl Americas, although his name has subsequently been removed from their website.
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Also posted at:
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/...stion-911.html
Why Would Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll Question 9/11?
Posted on February 1, 2015 by Kevin Ryan
and:
http://truth-out.org/opinion/it...omic-depravity
Henry A. Giroux: Searching for Radical Democracy in the Ruins of Capitalism’s Economic Depravity
Needed to add the following:
http://www.thelandesreport.com/...ngSecurity.htm
See: Lynn Landes
The Case For Open Voting
Democracy demands transparency, not trust -Sign up and be counted
There is no transparency to our current voting system. Congress has legalized election fraud by allowing, if not mandating, non-transparent voting systems that prohibit direct access to a paper ballot and meaningful public oversight….
snip
Making matters worse, our public voting system has been privatized and outsourced to a handful of domestic, foreign, and multi-national corporations, most of whom have close ties to the right wing of the Republican Party. Just two companies, ES&S and Diebold, started by two brothers, Bob and Todd Urosevich, electronically process (using touchscreen machines or optical scanners), 80% of all votes. Their employees are in a perfect position to rig elections nation-wide. And evidence is mounting that elections in America have been computer programmed to prefer conservative candidates of both political parties. (those machines are in primaries so start there with real evidence)