My friend who was naturalized in January has been officially denied his right to vote in AZ.

[lonestarnot]

I called the most liberal station we have in AZ. Can anyone else think of anything else to do other than a lawyer? His naturalization papers were filed with the county recorder over 6 weeks ago.

[still_one]

1. On what grounds is he denied?

[lonestarnot]

2. That he registered too late, but he registered over 6 wks ago, the same time papers

Last edited Fri Sep 14, 2012, 11:27 PM - Edit history (1)

were filed with recorder, as soon as he was notified of a problem by DMV.

[still_one]

8. Can he appeal?

[lonestarnot]

10. He just received the letter today, It says he's not registered, has the wrong middle initial on the

envelope. He's bringing the whole crap over tomorrow. I think they may be trying to trick him into registering twice to accuse him of "voter" fraud. What bullshit they are! We registered him the same day the papers were filed with county recorder.

[Monk06]

31. Was the name on the envelope typed or hand written and why should the name on the envelope matter

it's the name on the registration that counts. He's being caged and that's illegal. What is most important is your friend a naturalized Hispanic. That will answer the question for sure.

[dkf]

9. Do they normally make exceptions for being too late?

If its a hard and fast rule, maybe there isn't anything to do.

[lonestarnot]

12. Beats me, but I intend to find out!

[EC]

3. ACLU? n/t

[lonestarnot]

4. Yes. I will contact them on Monday.

[pinboy3niner]

5. You might try calling E.J. Montini at The Republic

Good luck!

[lonestarnot]

6. Eew good. Forgot about him. I will also contact him!

Thank you. Hey is he still alive? LOL

[caseymoz]

7. They must have an appeal procedure of some sort.

Taking it to the courts or an organization like the ACLU would probably take too long, and he'll likely miss this election. (Plus, consider costs.) Check with a civil rights lawyer, but as you're doing that, I'd call the Secretary of State and the Election Board, or whatever they call it in Arizona. See how to appeal it, and how to expedite the appeal.

You might also find the Arizona State Statutes online (my state has theirs online) and look up the applicable laws yourself. Sorry, I don't have a link to that, but I'm almost certain they have to be online somewhere.

This never hurts: call your state representative and see if his or her office will help you.

One last idea: contact the local paper and see if they'll do a story on it.

[lonestarnot]

11. Local paper is closed and probably won't open until Monday. Plan to call them on Monday. Already

left message with two TV Box stations. Can't call anyone until Monday really. Of course they waited until today to send the letter. ARS is on-line. But I want him registered right damn now! We've already jumped through there fucking hoops! I'm pissed!

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. All stations, even today,

Have somebody on duty. Look for newsroom.

Or at least they should. I wish this was in my area of coverage

[lonestarnot]

25. I did that already, I was referring to the paper media.

[nadinbrzezinski]

32. Even my parrot cage liner

As bad as it is, has one...

[lonestarnot]

35. LOL. The AZ Repulsive is closed until Monday.

[nadinbrzezinski]

38. I don't know if that be better

Though I need paper from time to time. Conure loves to shred it.

[csziggy]

21. Does the local Obama campaign office know of any local attorneys

That could help?

I know that in 2004 and 2008 the Democratic campaigns had volunteer attorneys on call for registration and election day difficulties. And this year with the voter suppression going on, there have been reports (seen here on DU) that the Obama campaign will have lawyers to help with this kind of problem.

[caseymoz]

23. That's a great idea.

They would do their best to help, or should.

[lonestarnot]

26. Well I may try that tomorrow. I have to go there for phone banking sometime this weekend. Not sure

if they are the "local Obama campaign office" but they're are located outside Democratic Headquarters, but may be one in the same at different locations. Also going to contact Sinema's campaign.

[cr8tvlde]

13. He's lucky to have such a sponsor/friend.

[lonestarnot]

14. I'm just glad that he understands how important his right to vote as an American is and is stepping

up even though he is a meek fellow, who would not fight alone probably. Just my assessment. Spoke with his daughter tonight and she is going to help too if there is something she can do.

[crazymanb10]

15. Spam deleted by Control-Z (MIR Team)

[crazymanb101]

17. Spam deleted by Control-Z (MIR Team)

[pinboy3niner]

18. Not even a nice try. Both accounts will soon be...

[Indpndnt]

20. Lol! Well, you sure called that one!

[lonestarnot]

22. LOL

My button doesn't work.

[crazymanb11]

19. Spam deleted by Control-Z (MIR Team)

[jsmirman]

24. Contact the Brennan Center for Justice?

[lonestarnot]

27. Where and what is that?

[lonestarnot]

29. Just sent them an email. Thank you.

[jsmirman]

33. No problem

please keep us updated

(to be entirely honest, as well, it's not the worst idea to just call the campaign. There's nothing partisan about trying to help a citizen vote. I was back at law school and on the final day one was allowed to register in Pennsylvania, I was able to direct someone over the phone to the one place that was still open and in driving distance, so that her two 18 year old daughters were able to register, and then vote.)

[lonestarnot]

34. I certainly will. I will not give up until November 3 at 12 a.m.

[Downwinder]

28. Which County or Representative District?

[lonestarnot]

30. Maricopa, believe new district 9, but am going to check address tomorrow when he brings the letter.

[Downwinder]

37. If everything is in order:

Might contact Ed Pastor's office or the New Times.

[liberalla]

36. How about getting a local TV station to report on it?

Here in Tucson, KGUN 9 does stories like that. Maybe others do also, but I don't remember seeing them.

There's got to be something he can do.

[liberalla]

39. Also, who's his Congress-person?

Can they help?

There needs to be a huge spotlight on these individual situations.

Good luck!

[Travis_0004]

40. Maybe my understanding is wrong, but it appears like its a small error

The middle inital was filed wrong. Maybe it was typed in wrong by the board of elections, maybe typed in wrong when the form was filled out.

Either way the voter registraion deadline hasn't pased yet, its almost a month away. Wouldn't one call to the board of elections solve this problem, and be a lot easier than calling every news station.

I don't have enough information to really understand what is going on, but it seems like this is a minor issue, and it appears as if it will still be very easy to get registered with plenty of time before the election.

[lonestarnot]

41. I hope you are right. Am waiting on him to bring the letter this morning.

[lunatica]

42. Call your local Democratic Party Headquarters

This is probably right up their alley right now.

If you belong to a union call them too.