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The problem is that constituency drawing, voter registration and the voting process itself is largely controlled at local level by often partisan officials and the GOP know this is their own way to hold back the tide of demographic change. As these are Federal Level elections, you would have thought Congress itself could prescribe the rules by which elections are conducted, but I am unclear as to what extent this would be seen as interfering with "states rights". As in all things it would probably require a large Dem majority in Congress and on the SCOTUS to push any major reform through.

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by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Mon Nov 5th, 2012 at 08:06:01 AM EST
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As these are Federal Level elections, you would have thought Congress itself could prescribe the rules by which elections are conducted

Constitutionally, the responsability for elections is at the state level.

I distribute. You re-distribute. He gives your hard-earned money to lazy scroungers. -- JakeS

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Nov 5th, 2012 at 09:50:05 AM EST
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I have seen conflicting opinions on the degree to which congress could regulate the holding of elections beyond just setting the date. The FEC regulates mainly camapaign contributions and disclosure and has been subject to some constitutional court challenges, but it is unclear to me whether or not Congress could enact additional legislation regulating the conduct of elections or extending the remit of the FEC to do so.

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by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Mon Nov 5th, 2012 at 10:41:52 AM EST
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Congress could, however it has chosen not to do so.

I distribute. You re-distribute. He gives your hard-earned money to lazy scroungers. -- JakeS
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Nov 5th, 2012 at 10:51:11 AM EST
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Obama would require a substantial Dem majority to pass anything worthwhile, and even then it would likely be overturned by the current SCOTUS as undermining State's rights.

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by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Mon Nov 5th, 2012 at 10:56:06 AM EST
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This state and local responsibility IS, at least in theory, checked by federal and constitutional civil rights statutes and provisions.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Mon Nov 5th, 2012 at 12:10:08 PM EST
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