Res. No. 784-A

Resolution urging the United States Congress to pass S. 453, the “Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007,” introduced by Senator Barack Obama, which prohibits deceptive practices in Federal elections.

By Council Members Mealy, Avella, Brewer, Dickens, Fidler, Foster, Gonzalez, James, Mendez, Palma, Seabrook, Vann, Weprin, White Jr., Sanders Jr., Recchia Jr., Martinez, Jackson, Eugene and Liu

                     Whereas, The Voting Rights Act provides that legally qualified persons shall be free to register for federal, state, and local elections, and that no person shall be denied the right to vote on account of race or color; and

                     Whereas, Americans, throughout the nation, continue to be targets of deceptive practices and intimidation as they attempt to vote; and

                     Whereas, Voters in Pima County, Arizona, reported being videotaped as they went into the polls, discouraging them from voting; and

                     Whereas, In New Haven and Waterbury, Connecticut, voters reported police officers stopping cars as they were parking at polling locations; and

                     Whereas, On November 6, in Tucson, Arizona, polling places were targeted by groups seeking to challenge voters based on their citizenship status; and

                     Whereas, In Dallas, Texas, voters received intimidating flyers in their mailboxes advising them that police officers would be at voting locations to prevent voter fraud; and

                     Whereas, Voters in several counties in Virginia received phone calls on election day saying voters would be arrested if they attempted to vote; and

                     Whereas, Poll workers in Montgomery County, Ohio would not let people vote unless they declared their party affiliation; and

                     Whereas, Deceptive practices and voter intimidation often intentionally target traditionally disenfranchised communities, such as minorities, seniors, and young people limiting the right to vote of millions of vulnerable Americans; and

                     Whereas, According to former Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzalez, current laws are insufficient to stop deceptive practices and voter intimidation cases; and

                     Whereas, The “Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007,” contains clear statutory language and the necessary authority to commence investigations of deceptive practices, would establish harsh penalties for those guilty of deceptive practices, and would address the real harm of these crimes by reaching out to misinformed and intimidated voters with accurate and full information; and

                     Whereas, S. 453 would ensure that every eligible voter has the right to vote without interference in Federal Elections; now therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Congress to pass S. 453, the “Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007,” introduced by Senator Barack Obama, which prohibits deceptive practices in Federal elections.

LS# 2538

IR

1/30/08