by
Tom Fitton
The Obama Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a multi-pronged strategy to ensure the re-election of Barack Obama. First, add more voters onto the rolls who are likely to re-elect Obama, whether they are legally eligible or not. And, second, block any attempt by states to clean up its voter registration lists. The Obama gang recently put the latter strategy into play in South Carolina after the state passed a Voter ID law.
In May 2011, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley signed R54 - a bill that requires voters to show one of five government-issued IDs, such as driver's licenses or passports, before casting ballots.
However, under the Voting Rights Act (Section 5), some states, including South Carolina, must have changes to voting laws “pre-cleared” by the DOJ. And what do you think the Obama DOJ had to say when South Carolina sought their permission to add this voter integrity provision?
On December 23, 2011, the Obama DOJ notified South Carolina that it was denying “preclearance” for Section 5 of the state’s election integrity law, claiming the provision would suppress minority voting. This was the first law of its type in 20 years to be denied “preclearance” by the DOJ.
Just like Florida, the State of South Carolina fought back. On February 7, 2012, the state sued Attorney General Eric Holder to have a three-judge panel declare R54 consistent with federal law.
As South Carolina argues in its lawsuit, its new voter ID measures “are not a bar to voting but a temporary inconvenience no greater than the inconvenience inherent in voting itself.” South Carolina also argues that its law is similar to a law passed by the State of Indiana that was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2008.
Importantly, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and ACLU of South Carolina filed a motion to intervene in the lawsuit on February 24, 2012.
As part of its continuing 2012 Election Integrity Project, Judicial Watch is investigating the DOJ’s controversial decision to block South Carolina from cleaning up its voter registration lists.
On June 6, 2012, we filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Obama DOJ. And here’s what we’re after pursuant to FOIA requests originally filed with the DOJ on February 6, 2012:
Any and all records regarding, concerning or related to the Civil Rights Division’s denial of pre-clearance of Section 5 of South Carolina Act R54 (A27 H3003) pursuant to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, 42 U.S.C. § 1973c.;
Any and all records of communication regarding, concerning or related to South Carolina Act R54 (A27 H3003) between any official or employee of the Civil Rights Division and any other individual or entity.The DOJ acknowledged receipt of the request on February 16, 2012. By law, a response was due no later than March 29, 2012. However, to date, the DOJ has failed to respond.
There is no doubt the Obama DOJ is acting as a legal front for the Obama campaign and leftist special interest groups. South Carolina’s photo ID provision is a lawful attempt to ensure the integrity of every vote.
But the DOJ has no interest in stopping voter fraud because this would interfere with the effort to re-elect Barack Obama by hook or by crook.
The secrecy we are fighting in court suggests that Holder’s agency has something to hide. The American people have a right to know how why the Obama administration has such a distaste for clean elections.
Big Government
