October 20, 2004
Stealing Democracy
by Liza Sabater
Philadelphia Daily News | 10/18/2004 | GOP fails in effort to move polls
REPUBLICAN OPERATIVES working to re-elect President Bush submitted last-minute requests in Philadelphia on Friday to relocate 63 polling places.
Bush's Pennsylvania campaign staff filed the requests, using the names of two Republicans running for the U.S. Congress and seven Republican ward leaders.
Of the 63 requests for changes, 53 are in political divisions where the population of white voters is less than 10 percent.
"I think this is more evidence of Republicans working to disenfranchise low-income and minority voters," said Mark Nevins, a spokesman for U.S. Sen. John Kerry. "It's despicable."
Bob Lee, voter registration administrator for the City Commission, said the requests appear to be "discriminatory" and were filed too late to be eligible for a hearing on Wednesday.
"They're trying to suppress the vote," Lee said of Republicans.
Deborah Williams, a minister running against Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, said the Republican State Committee asked if it could use her name in the effort.
One of the polling places is in a district office of state Sen. Vince Fumo, a Democrat. Two are in local bars, 43 are allegedly inaccessible to the handicapped and 17 are in businesses or homes where voters could be intimidated, according to the requests.
"We're more concerned about people's comfort," said Williams, an African-American whose name is on 28 requests. "This is not about creating some stir in the election or denying anyone the right to vote."
Race played a role in at least five of the requests, according to Matt Robb, the Republican leader of the 48th ward in South Philadelphia. Robb said he allowed his name to be used because those polling places are in neighborhoods he doesn't wish to visit.
"It's predominantly, 100 percent black," said Robb, who is white. "I'm just not going in there to get a knife in my back."
Posted by Liza Sabater in 2004 Elections, Sidelinks
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