SANDERS & MANSKI: Wisconsin must protect voting rights in this election

In committing election crimes, who is the perpetrator, and who is the victim?

In a little-noticed announcement a few weeks ago, Republican Attorney General JB Van Hollen began a new campaign to crack down on so-called “voter fraud,” saying that, “elections are undermined when people engage in unlawful voting or otherwise commit fraud on the elections process.”

There are certainly major problems plaguing American elections, but widespread voter fraud is not one of them. Since the 2000 election, the Republican Party, its officials, and its funders have spent millions of dollars in failed attempts to convince us that unlawful voting is a grave threat to election integrity. Yet they have not produced a single case in which this supposed threat has impacted the outcome of an election in any way.

On the other hand, what is well documented is the problem of systematic election fraud and voter disenfranchisement (as opposed to individual actions), in which ballots are destroyed or voting machines miscount the vote. Equally common are well-organized misinformation campaigns that send incorrect election dates and registration requirements to potential voters, tell voters polling places close early, or inform qualified voters they are not permitted to vote.

The Attorney General is focusing on the wrong group of potential perpetrators, and he knows it. His goal appears to be to create an atmosphere of intimidation and fear among students, the poor, and communities of color – and to shift attention away from the real problems our democracy faces.

This should be our wake up call. It is no small coincidence that Van Hollen has specifically targeted populations that share a common likelihood to support progressive candidates and causes at the ballot box. Obama won the 2008 election by such a wide margin that his mandate could not be erased. But the 2010 congressional and state elections will be much closer, and voters must be vigilant to ensure we do not become this year’s victims.

First, we must contact our district attorneys and elected officials and insist that they focus on election claims that have the potential to genuinely impact the outcomes of elections. Given limited resources, their first duty is to prosecute serious crime, not exaggerated, partisan allegations of fraud.

Second, we must be prepared to defend voting rights on and after September 14 and November 2 against attempts to intimidate or prevent qualified voters from voting, and to ensure that the declared winner of our elections was the actual victor.

Third, we must work to expand voting rights in Wisconsin by adopting key reforms like preferential voting, proportional representation, and public financing of elections. It’s time to make the right to vote meaningful.

We pledge to work together with civil rights, student, and democracy reform organizations to ensure that Wisconsin moves forward into becoming a healthy and vibrant democracy. The alternative is to head in the direction in which the Attorney General wants to take us - down the path of Florida, Georgia, and Ohio - and that is no alternative at all.

Henry Sanders, Jr. is a Waunakee non-profit executive, small business owner, and Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor - www.henrysanders.org

Ben Manski is a public interest attorney and was a leader in the 2004 Ohio presidential recount. He is the Green Party candidate for Wisconsin’s 77th Assembly District - www.VoteManski.com