It happened in many places in 2000 and 2004 including Florida and Ohio. It will undoubtedly be attempted again. Why can I say that with such certainty? Because a bank robber who can steal from a bank in broad daylight and then return again to steal even more money without fear of being punished will continue with this criminal activity until there are some serious consequences.
Here is a foreshadowing of more to come for 2006 (from the NYT):
If there was ever a sign of a ruling party in trouble, it is a game plan that calls for trying to win by discouraging voting.
The latest sign that Republicans have an election-year strategy to shut down voter registration drives comes from Ohio. As the state gears up for a very competitive election season this fall, its secretary of state, J. Kenneth Blackwell, has put in place "emergency" regulations that could hit voter registration workers with criminal penalties for perfectly legitimate registration practices. The rules are so draconian they could shut down registration drives in Ohio.
(More below the fold)
The NYT continues with more examples of how the vote will be sabotaged in order to install Republicans:
Mr. Blackwell's rules are interpretations of a law the Republican-controlled Ohio Legislature passed recently. Another of the nation's most famous swing states, Florida, has been the scene of similar consternation and confusion since it recently enacted a law that is so harsh that the Florida League of Women Voters announced that it was stopping all voter registration efforts for the first time in 67 years.
This type of corruption, that is largely overlooked by the corporate media and is almost never mentioned on broadcast news, is most likely occurring far and wide across the country, not just in high profile locations such as Florida and Ohio. It is a blatant attempt to steal the right of certain Americans, primarily poor and minority citizens, from being able to cast a vote. It is also unabashed racism.
Be warned and be aware, this will happen again. This is the Republican strategy. It will also go mostly ignored by corporate media. If we wait for it to occur it will be too late and yet another election will be corrupted beyond redemption. Our only option is to try and bring this to the forefront in discussions and also get the Democratic members of congress to complain loudly and bitterly about the racism and anti-democratic activities of the Republican party. There must also be an active legal challenge to these perversions of our form of government as soon as they arise so they can be fought before they can accomplish their evil goals.