Thanks to the Bayou Buzz, I had an opportunity to read the statement of Louisiana's GOP Chairman, Roger Villere, regarding HB 619, and its alternative bill, HB 575.
He writes regarding HB 619 and satellite voting centers: "But with hundreds of local and statewide elections, the already understaffed poll centers will be thrown into chaos."
He also writes, regarding HB 575, and absentee ballots to all registered voters: "Louisiana has just invested $30 million in new voter machines. With Governor Kathleen Blanco admitting we lack the funds to support our own rebuilding process, this is hardly the time to begin inserting expensive voting measures that are unnecessary. This bill has been strongly opposed by Secretary of State Jay Dardenne on the grounds that it is too quick and too costly," as it would require the mailing of 2.8 million pieces of mail to voters, according to Secretary of State Jay Dardenne.
Ummm ... excuse me? I thought for a second that I was in the Soviet Union. But then I looked over at the LSU Parade Grounds, and saw the American flag flapping in the breeze.
Secretary of State Jay Dardenne, (R-Baton Rouge) in testimony to the House Government Affairs Committee on 2 May 2007 used a racist code word in support of his position to deny Louisianans displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita the right to vote in Louisiana elections.
He was invited to give his opinion on Jalila Jefferson-Bullock's HB 619, which would extend the right of displaced persons to vote in Louisiana elections for the upcoming gubernatorial election this fall.
The code word used by Secretary Dardenne? Chaos.
UPDATE: Don't believe this? Then click here
and go to 2 May 2007, and click on House Gov Affairs. It'll launch Real Player, and in the interest of saving you 3 hours, skip to 2:40, and watch from there.
