In the City of Irving case, the Department of Justice has asked for permission to make oral arguments that illegal aliens and noncitizens should be counted for state and local redistricting purposes.  As reported earlier at ELC here, this position has the effect of diluting the legislative power of American citizens and shifting power to noncitizens and illegal aliens.  In areas with high citizenship, 100,000 citizens (for example) would have one legislator.  In contrast, areas with high illegal alien populations (say 20,000 illegal aliens, 10,000 green card holders and 70,000 citizens) would also get a single legislator.  DOJ’s position gives one legislator to 100,000 citizens, yet one legislator to 70,000 citizens who are likely heavily Hispanic. 

The request to offer oral arguments means that DOJ is devoting significant resources to push this point.  It is obviously a priority.

…in Texas, unless DOJ decides to challenge the Supreme Court on the fundamental nature of this election procedure. 

A big change are coming soon to the voting process. Beginning January first, all voters will have to present a state-issued photo ID to cast their vote.

“It was more for voter fraud because right now, I could come in with an electric bill with a woman’s name on it and they could use that,” said Mitzi Scheible, Ector County Courthouse.

Texas joins 6 other State’s with this Voter I.D. law, which some say is causing barriers in the voting process, especially for the elderly and minorities. Who may not have a driver’s license or photo ID.

“I’m very disappointed in those who have been so engulfed in politics that they’re just stripping away the rights of individuals,” said Gene Collins, N.A.A.C.P.

Scheible says most frequent voters she sees, already have photo ID’s.

“A lot of times people come in and they just hand us their drivers license right now,” said Scheible.

At the link.  An update in Rhode Island on the staggered implementation of voter ID.  While the article states that RI now requires voters to have photo ID, the actual legislation allows other non-photo documentation to be accepted until 2014 where the photo ID requirements is fully implemented.   

One of the senior Black Americans in Rhode Island, Senator Metts, commented:

As a minority citizen and a senior citizen I would not support anything that I thought would present obstacles or limit protections,” said Senator Metts. “While I’m sensitive to the concerns raised, at this point I am more interested in… stopping voter fraud. Hesitation based on potential ramifications of what may or may not happen at the expense of the integrity of the system is no longer an option.”

Governor Lincoln Chafee, no hardcore conservative stated:

After signing the new legislation, Chafee defended his stance, stating that he “met with a number of experts on both sides to discuss this complex issue,” and “spoke with representatives of our state’s minority communities… [finding] their concerns about voter fraud and their support for this bill particularly compelling.”

at Link.

Here at the link.  School referendum draws a good response despite the weather, and pollworkers begin to incorporate procedures before voter ID goes live in 2012.

 KGO: “According to the Justice Department’s website, the federal government filed a complaint against Alameda County in June alleging the county violated the Voting Rights Act by failing to provide “efficient access to the electoral process for Spanish and Chinese-speaking citizens who need language assistance and translated materials” in order to vote.

In July, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorney’s office announced an agreement with Alameda County requiring the county to provide election information and materials in Spanish and Chinese, according to a Justice Department statement.”

 Lorain (OH) allowed DOJ monitors for the election.  More from CantonRep.com.

 Coming to a street corner near you to oppose Voter ID.  Washington Post.  Anyone have the fundraising letter accompanying this announcement?  ELC will post it.

Some must see video of Greenbaum vs Von Spakovsky on CSPAN’s Washington Journal debating Voter ID.  Greenbaum spent the hour trotting out the same old dogma against Voter ID with which more than 70 percent of the country disagree.  Then an African-American caller called and dressed Greenbaum down about the patronizing arguments by the Left against Voter ID, proclaiming essentially that black Americans are too stupid or lazy to go get a Voter ID. 

Here is the Link.  Voting options for the disabled.