ACLU: Maryland Transit Administration Blocked Low-Income Voter Registration

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Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Earlier today, the ACLU sued the Maryland Transit Administration for specifically banning two organizations, the Association for Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and Project Vote, from setting up voter registration tables near bus stops and subway entrances. Both ACORN and Project Vote are lauded for their success in registering young and low-income voters.

The process leading to the ban can only be described as hostile: The organizations had attempted to set up voter registration tables, were told that they could not do so without a permit (a requirement that will most likely not hold up in court), wrote off for a permit, and were sent a letter informing them that they would be permanently banned from conducting any "voter registration activities" on MTA property.

While it is not yet clear whether or not the strange treatment ACORN and Project Vote received was unique or politically-motivated, it is worth mentioning that young and low-income voters tend to vote Democratic. The incumbent governor up for reelection at the time, Bob Ehrlich, was a Republican--as was the official he appointed to head up the Maryland Department of Transportation, to which the Maryland Transit Administration is directly responsible. Ehrlich ultimately lost the race to Democratic candidate (and now governor-elect) Martin O'Malley.

See also:

• Why Don't More Americans Vote?