Too Sexy For The Constitution

by: Vis Unita Fortior

Thu Mar 10, 2011 at 01:32:04 AM EST

Young Dems of America and NHYD: Protect Voting Rights

by: Douglas E. Lindner

Wed Feb 23, 2011 at 13:28:14 PM EST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Doug Lindner, NHYD Vice President of Public Affairs

Statement from the Young Democrats of America and the New Hampshire Young
Democrats

Defending the Voting Rights of Young People

February 23, 2011

The Young Democrats of America (YDA) and the New Hampshire Young Democrats (NHYD) strongly oppose efforts by Republicans in the New Hampshire legislature to
disenfranchise young voters across the state.

HB 176, which is backed by Speaker Bill O'Brien, would prevent students and members of the armed forces from voting in the town where they study or serve. The legislation is clearly in conflict with previous court rulings, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

"Constitutional rights should never be at risk because of partisan politics," said Rod Snyder, YDA Presient. "Republican lawmakers in New Hampshire are undermining basic democratic principles. They are trying to create a scenario where politicians choose their voters rather than the other way around."

"Instead of focusing on the economic issues they were elected to address, the Republican majority in the New Hampshire House of Representatives is working to stop many Granite Staters from voting," said Kaili Lambe, NHYD President. "Speaker O'Brien's recent statement that 'kids are voting liberal, voting their feelings, with no life experience' is not only offensive but reveals the true political motivations behind HB 176."

On Thursday, February 24th, the House Election Law Committee will hold a hearing on the disenfranchisement bill. The New Hampshire Young Democrats are mobilizing young people of all political persuasions to testify against this undemocratic proposal.

###

Please join us tomorrow in Concord! RSVP via Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event....

NHYD on Facebook
NHYD on Twitter

(Posted by Doug Lindner, Vice President of Public Affairs, New Hampshire Young Democrats)

Next Up: Disenfranchising Young Adults

by: Jennifer Daler

Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 08:43:34 AM EST

HB 176 would take away the right of students, military personnel and others to vote in the town in which they reside for school or duty unless they can prove they have lived there prior to study or service and plan to continue living there.

This bill was filed ostensibly to prevent voter fraud, which recent investigations by the Secretary of State's office have shown to be close to non-existent. Could the real reason be this little slip of the lip by Speaker O'Brien?

He said students in college towns register to vote on Election Day "and are basically doing what I did when I was a kid and foolish, voting as a liberal.

"That's what kids do," he said. "They don't have life experience and they just vote their feelings. And they've taken away the town's ability to govern themselves. It's not fair."

This bill is really about disenfranchising potential Democratic voters, nothing more. Often elderly parents of NH residents are moved to NH nursing homes from out of state. Should they lose the right to vote? Should renters lose the right to vote? They may not be planning to stay in a town or city long enough to appease the new Republican majority.

Back in the real world, the town administrator of Rindge, home to Franklin Pierce University, had this to say (quotes from The Monadnock Ledger, 2/10/11):

" It is hard to deny the fact that students represent a major portion of our population."

"Their presence here in town has been a contributing factor for retailers to locate or expand here."

The presence of the university and its students helps Rindge economically. Disenfranchising them would negatively affect the local economy.

Focused like a laser on jobs or on killing the Democratic Party?

The hearing on HB176 will be held Thursday, February 24 at 2pm in Reps Hall. This is not only about disenfranchising students and military personnel. Our two party system is at stake.