We’re in Arkansas today, where August 20th, a U.S. District Court Judge ruled that a 2009 state law barring a person from assisting more than six voters was contrary to federal law.
The post ADM for August 26, 2022: Federal Court Strikes Down Arkansas Law Limiting Assistance to Voters appeared first on American Democracy Minute.
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Today’s Links
Articles:
New York Times – Arkansas violated the Voting Rights Act by limiting help to voters, a judge rules.
Arkansas Times – Judge strikes down restrictive Arkansas law that violates the Voting Rights Act
Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund – FEDERAL COURT RULES ARKANSAS STATUTE ON VOTER
ASSISTANCE VIOLATES FEDERAL VRA
U.S. District Court – Decision
Groups Taking Action:
MALDEF, Arkansas United
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re in Arkansas today, where August 20th, a U.S. District Court Judge ruled that a 2009 state law barring a person from assisting more than six voters was contrary to federal law.
In a 39-page ruling, Judge Timothy L. Brooks agreed with an advocacy group which had been helping immigrant citizens with voting, the New York Times reports. Arkansas United had been doing nonpartisan work translating for Spanish-speaking voters at the polls, but had to mobilize more staff and volunteers to meet the one person – six client limit under the state law.
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund represented Arkansas United in the case, and argued that despite the intent of the law to prevent undue influence of voters, it amounted to voter suppression.
The judge wrote that election officials could legally collect the addresses and names of any voters assisted during the election, but could no longer limit help to six voters per person providing assistance. He cited Congress’ intent to allow the voter to choose who would provide assistance.
Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund said to the New York Times, “I do think that there is a stigma, an unfair one, on those who are simply doing their part to assist those who have every right to be able to cast a ballot.”
Links to articles and the judge’s decision are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
The post ADM for August 26, 2022: Federal Court Strikes Down Arkansas Law Limiting Assistance to Voters appeared first on American Democracy Minute.
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