Friday Before Christmas, Justice Department Rejects Voter ID

Politicized DOJ Uses Incorrect Data In Decision On South Carolina Law

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The Department of Justice today sent a letter rejecting the South Carolina voter ID law, calling it "discriminatory." This decision was based on inaccurate data about the number of South Carolina voters who actually have photo identification.

"The announcement by the Department of Justice tonight in opposition to South Carolina's voter ID law is the lowest form of politics. The decision is not based on accurate data or the merits of the argument; instead, Eric Holder decided to reward far-left groups with a political handout the Friday before Christmas," said Michael Thielen, RNLA Executive Director. "The facts demonstrate voter ID laws are constitutional and supported by Republicans and Democrats alike. The Justice Department's actions call into question the commitment of officials in the agency to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States above all else."

BACKGROUND:  

• Just today, the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles found that the numbers the Department of Justice relied upon were wrong, and actually were 86% lower than initially reported. Yet, Eric Holder and the Department of Justice rushed out a letter the Friday before Christmas knowing it would be difficult for anyone to respond to them.
• Every single court who has so far evaluated voter ID laws has found them constitutional. When the Supreme Court evaluated Indiana's voter ID law, the Court found them constitutional in an opinion written by liberal Justice John Paul Stevens. Georgia's voter ID law was also challenged and an appellate court found that it was constitutional as well.
• The Department of Justice letter asserts that voter ID laws combat voter impersonation and does not discuss other forms of vote fraud prevented by voter ID. Among other things, voter ID laws also combat non-citizen voting and voting multiple times.
• The Department of Justice is doing the far left's bidding in opposing South Carolina Voter ID laws. Other states, including Democratic Party-controlled Rhode Island, joined South Carolina in passing voter ID laws this year.
• The Department of Justice Letter fails to acknowledge that Republicans in South Carolina have offered free transportation to the offices of Department of Motor Vehicles in South Carolina for those who want to get photo identification to vote.

SOURCE Republican National Lawyers Association