News Us politics - read first post before comment

[somerandomguy]

It's well known that in the Deep South you're going to have a more difficult time trying to vote if you're black. Even now.

And almost every state makes it more difficult to vote if you don't speak English.

 

[LuckiLee]

I can't believe people still use the term "Deep South". And if you can't speak , read or understand English I don't think I want you to vote in our elections. Who would you vote for? Whoever you are told to vote for? Call me a bigot, I can live with that.

I'm not going to get in a heated debate about this. Moving on.....

 

[Mee]

Is ‘deep south’ offensive? What is the geographical region called now please?

 

[Muttly]

Not a heated debate, but I will say that for me,I have no problems with someone who can't read, write or speak english voting. That person *may* be more informed than *some* english speakers that are voting. That person may be following news/newspaper that is out in their language of origin and have thoughtful and informed reasons for how they cast their vote. Shrugs.

On bad smells. Tends to be skunk or dying animal (elk are big and the decay smell can last quite some time). If it's a truck passing by it's most likely going to be cattle. Of course, for me, bad smells are usually work related. You learn a lot about poop smells at a veterinary clinic. Giardia is only slightly better than parvo in horrible smell category.

 

[The Albatross]

@Mee Just the "south" works these days without risk of offending. Or if it's a Gulf of Mexico state... Then you can say generally "the Gulf" but that would leave out Georgia & South Carolina (2 of the traditionally deep south states).

Thanks for the reply on the finger sandwiches!

 

[Mee]

Not a heated debate, but I will say that for me,I have no problems with someone who can't read, write or speak english voting. That person *may* be more informed than *some* english speakers that are voting. That person may be following news/newspaper that is out in their language of origin and have thoughtful and informed reasons for how they cast their vote. Shrugs.
.

Thanks for a response I can reply to! I have lived and voted in countries where the official language is not mine. I have also lived in places where there is more than one official language- translation is a fractional cost of political campaigns. Its not a huge deal. It’s simply scandalous that indigenous tribal languages and Spanish at the very least are not recognised official languages in the US. English being the default language in US without question or alternative is symptomatic of greater cultural issues. Shrug.

and yes! The smell of one small dead rodent in a wall or under a floor board is far worse than acres and acres of any thing spread. ??.

 

[The Albatross]

Um I must have broke into the middle of something. I have to say I'm surprised to read, "It's well known that in the Deep South you're going to have a more difficult time trying to vote if you're black. Even now." Having lived in a deep south area (36 years) and worked with Supervisor of Elections in a county for a decade... plus family in Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana for way longer. I can assure you that voting while black isn't an issue. So far as those who can't read or write, there are measures at polling stations to assist or the person can have a family member accompany them to assist. Two poll inspectors are required - not of the same party.

 

[somerandomguy]

I can assure you that voting while black isn't an issue.

While I hear and respect your experience, we're going to have to agree to disagree, especially since key parts of the Voting Rights Act were struck down in 2013.

People who don't speak English can certainly be American citizens with exactly the same rights, and voting rights, as those of us who speak English.

I opened a can of worms here, but I really just wanted to know what the penalty for not voting is in Australia and whether voting is compulsory anyplace else.

 

[Mee]

While I hear and respect your experience, we're going to have to agree to disagree, especially since key parts of the Voting Rights Act were struck down in 2013.

People who don't speak English can certainly be American citizens with exactly the same rights, and voting rights, as those of us who speak English.

I opened a can of worms here, but I really just wanted to know what the penalty for not voting is in Australia and whether voting is compulsory anyplace else.

my point is not that it has not been made difficult in the States - it has been well documented that it has .... but that language is not an excuse to deny patriotism or access. If it happens in the ‘old world’ where it’s often understood languages can’t respect borders , it should most certainly happen in a ‘new world’ ( and original languages being seen as lesser than interloping ones is awful) .
I absolutely agree that voting access has been restricted. Unnecessarily- given experience in other countries.

 

[The Albatross]

While I hear and respect your experience, we're going to have to agree to disagree, especially since key parts of the Voting Rights Act were struck down in 2013.

People who don't speak English can certainly be American citizens with exactly the same rights, and voting rights, as those of us who speak English.

I opened a can of worms here, but I really just wanted to know what the penalty for not voting is in Australia and whether voting is compulsory anyplace else.

Yeah, interesting how ya did that. But in addition to poll clerks/assistant clerks/poll inspectors... are "Poll Watchers" of any candidate and party who are able to be at any polling location they choose in order to "watch"/insure that voters are afforded every opportunity to cast a vote.

So far as Oz... "Voting is a legal requirement and failure to do so comes with a penalty.
Fines range from 20 Australian dollars for missing a federal election, up to 79 Australian dollars for skipping a state poll.
Voters, however, are allowed to appeal a fine and explain why they failed to participate."

Whether or not this is ignored or enforced is up to Oz respondents.

 

[siniang]

As someone from Europe, it constantly blows my mind how difficult voting is made in the US, a country that claims to be the "greatest democracy of the World".

The registration process alone is just...mind-boggling. (in my country, everyone who is a citizen with registered residency is AUTOMATICALLY registered to vote. You'll get a letter in the mail with the option to register for absentee voting - you'll mail it off and receive your absentee ballot. Easy peasy).

Having elections held on a normal work day is another.

And anyone who claims that minority groups are not facing major hurdles is just putting their fingers in their ears and going "lalala" (I remember the issue with voter registration and the requirement of a physical address...which excludes a majority of Native American Citizens)

Just to name a few.

Yes. Laziness plays a major part, especially among younger folks, but it's not the only nor the main contributor.

And yes, a country that is founded on immigration and has a long history of immigration should absolutely not make it mandatory to be fluent in English in order to vote. If you pay taxes and abide by all laws and are a Citizen - you are eligible to vote as the politics will influence you as much as anyone else.

 

[Mee]

.

I don't know if that's accurate of the situation in the US? But it is a big ask for a lot of people to say "You have one chance to vote, we're going to pick the day, you have limited hours to turn up on that day, and it may involve standing in a queue for hours"...I couldn't do that. That would preclude me from participating.

Absolutely me too.
and DH- he works too far from home to vote and on many voting days isn’t even in the country. Without postal votes he could not do it.

Many people live hand to mouth for both time AND money - ‘Just going to vote’ just is a privilege in some places in terms of accessibility.