From the "Corner" at National Review:

KEEPING OUT REPUBLICANS IN N.J. [Allison Hayward]



Democrats like to talk about level playing fields and equal access to the political process, but they appear to be aggressively using a consent decree issued by the federal district court in New Jersey that dates from the early '80s to prevent equal access by poll watchers. The Democrats boast of deploying 10,000 election attorneys to prevent (or maybe exacerbate? we'll see) Election Day polling problems.

The Republicans have told their volunteer attorneys, however, that they shouldn't participate in New Jersey. The Democrats have gone to court there claiming participation violates this consent decree, and the volunteer attorney's group can't afford the litigation.

Moreover, I've read that a suit has been filed by Democrats in Florida, seemingly invoking the consent decree there to prevent GOP lawyers from participating. The consent decree requires that the RNC not pursue ballot security or anti-fraud activities in precincts "where the racial or ethnic composition of such districts is a factor in the decision to conduct such activities and where a purpose or significant effect of such activities is to deter qualified voters from voting." (In 1987 a further decree required the RNC to petition the court before engaging in ballot security programs, and tell the DNC in advance, too.) I don't expect that many readers will rush to embrace the interests of lawyers, but this is obviously about more than that. Fraud-prevention activities are necessary, especially when one's worthy opponents are hell-bent on maximizing turnout (in certain areas of course) with all tools at their disposal.

The Democrats appear to be exploiting this decree to operate unchallenged in some areas. How can that be tolerated?



I am continually flabbergasted that it is considered a given that any...ANY...proposal for preventing voter fraud is considered a mechanism for preventing Democratic votes. I personally think this is rather revealing.

The usual line of horse manure is that certain timid groups, like minorities or immigrants, are apparently cowed by the appearance of any legal authority, and are intimidated into not voting.

Bullshit. I know a LOT of minority people, including recent immigrants, and none of them are bothered by cops and such, and I assume they wouldn't be bothered by poll watchers. And why anyone at all would be "intimidated" by a watching volunteer lawyer is more than I can see, unless the voter was up to some funny business.

Admit it, the ones who are kept away by watchful authority are the crooks. And yes, keeping crooks and fraudulent voters away from the polls probably would put a dent in the Democratic vote.

"By any means necessary." --The American Left.