I've lurked and commented on DKos for years, but this is my first diary. Please be nice!
As you may know, Philadelphia is staunchly Democratic. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans nine to one, and support is so strong that even the most corrupt Democrats (Former Mayor John Street, for one) can win reelection based solely on their political party of choice. Combine that with a large Black population, sizable African immigrant population, and a dozen college campuses, and the result is an inevitable Obama landslide.
Yet someone is trying to send a clear message to low-income voters in North and West Philadelphia: if you show up to vote on November 4th, you may be arrested. From today's Daily News:
With just weeks to go before the presidential election, voter intimidation has reared its ugly head.
An anonymous flier circulating in African-American neighborhoods in North and West Philadelphia states that voters who are facing outstanding arrest warrants or who have unpaid traffic tickets may be arrested at the polls on Election Day.
This may prove to be an effective scare tactic. As a social worker living and working in one of these communities, I know first-hand how many folks with criminal records still believe they can't vote. I've witnessed DNC volunteers turn away homeless individuals who want to register to vote, telling them there is nothing they can do. Even voters who know their rights often report problems--I myself was turned away at the polls during the presidential primary in April. Thanks to a misinformed poll worker, my vote didn't count.
In Philadelphia, the trick isn't winning Democratic votes--it's ensuring that people are registered at the correct address and show up on election day. This year, that shouldn't be a problem. I've encountered folks who said they haven't voted in 20 years, feeling that their vote wouldn't count, but this year is going to be different. Project HOME, a local homeless advocacy group, is planning a huge push to drive people to the polls on election day. Social service agencies across the city have held voter registration drives for low-income, incarcerated, homeless, and imminently homeless folks. We just have to hope that these amazing efforts outweigh the racist, manipulative tactics employed by a small number of scared Republicans.
I already know Obama will take Philadelphia by storm on November 4th. I just hope no one stays home out of fear.