“Go back to Europe” quote from Mario Obledo, a founder of MALDEF here. ( SNOPES)

How Mexico safeguards the ballot HERE.

Image of Mexican photo voter ID HERE

MALDEF URGES U.S. SUPREME COURT TO STRIKE DOWN DISCRIMINATORY VOTER IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENT

MALDEF amicus brief highlights impact of decision on
Latinos in Arizona

JANUARY 8, 2008 – As the nation focuses today on the New Hampshire presidential primary, the fight to protect the right of all eligible citizens to have equal access to the polls without any unnecessary barriers is being waged in the courts. Tomorrow, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral argument regarding a 2005 Indiana state law that requires voters to present a government-issued identification in order to cast a ballot. MALDEF has filed an amicus brief urging the justices to strike down the law in light of the damaging consequences to voter turnout and the burdens placed on minority and low-income communities.

“By requiring voters to present specified IDs, the State of Indiana disproportionately burdens poor and minority communities, increasing the cost of voting for those who can least afford it,” stated MALDEF Southwestern Regional Counsel Nina Perales.

MALDEF’s brief highlights the importance of the case to other states, such as Arizona, where a similar voting law was passed, aimed at restricting the franchise for Latinos, Native Americans and naturalized citizens. MALDEF currently represents the lead plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Arizona Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, a 2004 voter initiative known as “Proposition 200.” Under Proposition 200, Arizona residents, like the Indiana residents involved in this case, are required to provide specified proof of identification before voting at the polls on Election Day and provide documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration.

“Proposition 200 creates substantial burdens on the right to vote that cannot be justified by any compelling state interest and should be rejected,” stated John Trasviña, MALDEF President and General Counsel. “The Court should apply strict scrutiny to ensure that voter identification schemes ostensibly based on the need to police voting fraud are not a subterfuge for outright discrimination. Imposing identification requirements to fight voter fraud in the absence of any history or record of such fraud drives down citizen participation in our elections, violates the Constitution and weakens our democracy.”

The MALDEF amicus brief in the Indiana voter ID case is the first product of our Law Firm Partnership with O’Melveny & Myers. The Court’s decision, expected in May or June, may have a significant impact on the conduct of the November 2008 presidential elections.

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