Bloomberg pays Florida fines; can billionaires play a positive part after all?

[ctuser1]

I never thought I will even find anything remotely positive about the "money = speech" invention of the Citizen's decision.

But, that was before this news story broke (disclaimer: a left-wing take on the matter) :
https://theslot.jezebel.com/a-billionaire-seems-to-be-doing-a-good-thing-but-lets-1845146212

This seems like such an obvious no-brainer. There are so many southern states that makes it difficult for a targeted section of the population to vote - using id laws and such. Does anyone know of any organization (preferably with a billionaire backing - like Bloomberg :D in the news story above) that is working directly to address that in a meaningful manner? By "meaningful" I don't mean just offering to help. A minimum wage earner single mom with 4 kids probably can't take the time off to get the "correct" ID. But a billionaire paying her wages for a couple of days and her bus fare, with a volunteer helping her through the way, should likely do the trick!! Same for the day she needs to take off to go and vote!! It can possibly start from swing states, and then expand later.

Am I just a coastal liberal (i.e. not a "real American", per the republicans) daydreaming? Or do such organizations exist?

[rantk81]

It's sad that these situations even exist -- that one needs to contemplate what they need to do to help someone else to vote, due to unnecessary barriers being erected.

Edit: I am seeing that some "right wing" media outlets are calling this "Buying Votes".

I prefer to look at it as, preventing voter suppression.

Financial means should _never_ be a barrier to exercising the right to vote.

[ctuser1]

The next one in the list if PA "naked ballot" ruling.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/22/pennsylvania-officials-warn-2000-florida-redux-420275

If I understood correctly, two envelops are attached with ballots sent (why?). Only one of them is the correct one to send the ballot back. If the wrong one is used to send the ballot back - that gets tossed!!

The state legislature is gerrymandered republican, so they won't fix it.

Perhaps more helicopter money in volunteer groups in the 46th to 69th street neighborhoods of Philadelphia (and the appropriate black neighborhoods in Harrisburg and Pittsburg) could help.

[JetBlast]

The next one in the list if PA "naked ballot" ruling.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/22/pennsylvania-officials-warn-2000-florida-redux-420275

If I understood correctly, two envelops are attached with ballots sent (why?). Only one of them is the correct one to send the ballot back. If the wrong one is used to send the ballot back - that gets tossed!!

You use both envelopes. The ballot goes in the smaller envelope. That is then placed in the larger outer envelope that has your voter information and signature. When the ballot is processed the outer envelope is used to mark on voter rolls that you have voted, while the inner envelope is placed in a different pile to be counted. The idea is that the people processing voter names from the outer envelope can’t see your ballot and therefore who you voted for, while those processing the actual ballot can’t identify who’s ballot they’re looking at.

The “naked” ballot is one sent in the larger outer envelope without being placed in the smaller envelope.

[ctuser1]

The next one in the list if PA "naked ballot" ruling.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/22/pennsylvania-officials-warn-2000-florida-redux-420275

If I understood correctly, two envelops are attached with ballots sent (why?). Only one of them is the correct one to send the ballot back. If the wrong one is used to send the ballot back - that gets tossed!!

You use both envelopes. The ballot goes in the smaller envelope. That is then placed in the larger outer envelope that has your voter information and signature. When the ballot is processed the outer envelope is used to mark on voter rolls that you have voted, while the inner envelope is placed in a different pile to be counted. The idea is that the people processing voter names from the outer envelope can’t see your ballot and therefore who you voted for, while those processing the actual ballot can’t identify who’s ballot they’re looking at.

The “naked” ballot is one sent in the larger outer envelope without being placed in the smaller envelope.

Thanks for the explanation.

Do you happen to know any organization on the ground that is working on volunteer effort in the black areas of philadelphia and other big cities in PA?