The Progressive Network's Short Term Strategy

Lee,

The Progressive Network's short term strategy is to try and derail the photo ID law at the pre-clearance phase. This not only keeps the law from going into effect, but saves an expensive and lengthy court battle which we may lose.

While you are correct that a majority of those identified as registered voters who do not have a DMV ID are white, the percentage of nonwhite (SCEC term) voters without ID is higher (6% of white 8% of nonwhite). However, I don't think should matter if the law applies to whites, if nonwhites have a provably harder time complying with the law.

While we are reaching out to voters of all races who will be impacted by the law, the only consideration for pre-clearance is that the new law not "have the purpose and will not have the effect of denying or abridging the right to vote on account of race or color."

The argument that the law will abridge (lessen) everyone's voting rights is sound, but making it would take an even bigger and more costly law suit that doesn't have the advantages of being covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.

There is a distinct possibility that  SC will use a rare clause in the Section 5 statute and go directly to US District Court in Washington for a "declaratory judgment" that the new law meets the requirements.

To prepare for ending up in federal court, we are having all the statements from impacted voters notarized as affidavits.

What we need are more first person stories. You can get a Photo ID Toolkit at the Progressive Network's web site (www.scpronet.com) to help find and interview potential victims of the law.

Your observation that the Progressive Network "lack(s) a connection to the Grassroots that will give significance and a base to their efforts," is correct. The organization was founded in 1995 on the need and purpose of helping build a broad-based, statewide movement for social justice. Until the time we have the political power to implement our good ideas, we have to continue to do the long, hard work of movement building.

Besides grassroots organizing around policy issues like money in politics, racial profiling, workers rights and voting issues, our PAC has organized the largest caucus in the SC Democratic Party. The Progressive Caucus has won every motion it proposed at the last 10 Democratic Sate Conventions.

The Network's multi-issue focus on connecting with the grassroots over the past 16 years is arguably the most considered and sustained organizing effort in SC.  And just as arguably, not enough.

It's your movement and it belongs to everyone who shares our vision and struggle for a more just and democratic society. We welcome your participation and leadership in the effort.

Brett Bursey
Director, SC Progressive Network