William Mitchell College of Law Student Newspaper Volume 18 Oct/Nov 2004 Articles: Election Law Forum, 1 • Librarians, 1 • Voter Opportunities, 2 • Erudite Entertainment, 12-13 • Community Development Clinic, 14 Articles: “Just Democracy”, 15 • Blackacre 2004, 17 • Billy’s, et al, 19 • SBA President’s Letter, 20 • Fighting Eelpout, 21 • Help & Hope, 23 Editorial: From the Editor, 3 • Opinion Page, 6-11 • Hearsay, 10 ANTICIPATING CHAOS & CONFUSION ELECTION LAW FORUM HELD by Carla Magnuson If we as students are the fateful day rolls around 4) less than uniform identifi- wondering why we should be conflict and confusion will cation requirements; On Wednesday October 13, familiar with election law and abound. We may wake up Professor Raleigh Levine and 5) provisional ballots cast by why we might want to free November 3rd without a clear voters who aren’t regis- resident adjunct clinical ourselves to act as voter advo- indication of who won the professor Diane Dube tered due to clerical error cates this November 2nd, presidential election. will not be counted until presented an Election Forum Levine offered as an answer; addressing election law and Why might this be the case? days or weeks later if at “One word: Florida.” While all, plus different states voters’ rights. Approximately the experience of the 2000 Professor Levine offered the thirty students attended. following as contributing to will treat provisional presidential elections spurred ballots differently; Prof. Dube introduced the voter advocates to push for “perfect storm” scenarios: topic and gave a shout out to 6) election officials are on reforms, the reforms them- 1) a tight presidential race; the neighborhood group Got selves, notably those created their own as far as apply- 2) new voters, upwards of one Voice Got Power! {See sepa- under the Help America Vote ing the rules they enforce; million are signing up to rate story about her new Act (HAVA) may cause their and finally Community Development vote; own share of problems. 7) some areas still have anti- Clinic}. Professor Levine laid 3) new process for tracking She continued to assure us quated voting machines out the majority of the new voter registrations; that it is a safe bet that once substance of the talk. Continued on page 2 Wise Guardians of Knowledge! By Melessa Henderson able to scrounge up obsolete sources for law review author- “A book is a fragile creature, ity checks. Every one of these it suffers the wear of time, it librarians has personally fears rodents, the elements helped me though varying and clumsy hands… so the degrees of crisises. For that I librarian protects the books not only against mankind am so grateful! Get to know but also against nature and and value these librarians. devotes his life to this war They do far more than protect with the forces of nature.” books as they diligently – On librarians of the year 1327, enforce the no food, drink, or The Name of the Rose, Umberto Eco rodent policy. Our highly educated and esteemed librar- ians are an integral part of Had it not been for the the WMCL community, an Our librarians – from left to right: Lindsay Matts, Deb Hackerson, heroic effort and patient invaluable source of wisdom, Mary Ann Archer, Bill Jack, Jan Stone, Jane Hopeman, and compassion of the librarians I and conduits of relief. Sonya Huesman. Not pictured, Ardis Jacobson. would not have survived the crap of WRAP, or ever been Continued on page 4 on the web at www.wmitchell.edu/current/nonacademic/student_orgs/opinion.html Page 2 The Opinion • October 2004 Election Forum Interesting factoid: In Wisconsin a voter is not Volunteer Opportunities for Voter Advocacy continued from page 1 allowed to vote on a race in Election Protection: Voters’ rights campaign coordinated while others now have which they have placed a by People for the American Way and Wellstone Action. shiny new yet question- wager on the outcome. Volunteer duties include handing out Voters’ Bills of Rights able electronic/ Each person is considered to and providing voter assistance on Election Day. Election computerized machines. have only one residence. This Protection will have a telephone line to report problems at Prof. Levine then ran presents a particular problem polling sights. 1-866-OURVOTE. Check out www.electionpro- through a basic history of for students who may be tection.org WMCL contact: [email protected] voting in the United States. temporarily residing where Got Voice? Got Power!: A local neighborhood drive to get She pointed out that there is their school is located, but out the vote particularly among new voters. Phone bank no positive right to vote in may have every intention of volunteers needed hours October 31st 1pm-4pm. 651-603-5906 the Constitution. Although moving “back home”, or at Joint Religious Legislative Coalition: Based out of the several later amendments the very least somewhere else, Urban League headquarters, group will be providing rides prohibited states from after they graduate. In and other assistance. Contact Jody McCardle for further outright barring certain indi- Minnesota, if you are a information. 612-870-3670. [email protected] viduals from voting on student you can either vote account of their race or sex, back at home or in Just Democracy: Group, founded and led by law students, states could still institute Minnesota, you just need to will help ensure voters’ rights and make sure eligible voters literacy tests, charge poll be able to swear you are plan- aren’t turned away from the polls. FFI see additional Opinion taxes, or condition the vote ning to stay with no present article on page 15 and check out the web-site: www.just- on property ownership. intention to move. democracy.org. Though we may believe our Several students brought up Chapter president Ray Sobocinski [email protected]. democracy is all about the the concern that a residential Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless: assist easily voting, the concept of “One limbo occurred if a person disenfranchised homeless population. Volunteer duties may Person One Vote” has really moved to a state from include assisting shelters to get their residents to polls, only been a reality since the another so recently they recruit volunteers to “vouch” for homeless residents. WMCL civil rights era of the 1960’s. wouldn’t meet the residency Contact Mike Davey 612-879-9437 davey@mnhomelesscoali- Some restrictions are still requirements. Prof. Levine tion.org. allowed. Nearly all states assured the students that Minnesota Participation Project: Non-partisan “Get out require registration with the they would still be considered the vote” effort. Volunteers will provide transportation, odd exception of North residents of the state they translation and interpretive services, and general assistance Dakota. States cannot cut off moved from and should be to voters in need. Call Ingrid at 651-645-2433 to volunteer. registration until thirty days allowed to vote in that state. prior to the day of election How they got this accom- problems that might occur at campaigning is allowed under Dunn v. Blumstein. Six plished (absentee ballot, road various polling places. People within 100 feet of the states, including Minnesota trip) was up to the person in cannot just lurk inside the polling place. If the polling allow same day registration. limbo. Your best bet may be polling place. A partisan chal- place is on public property All states require voters be to avoid changing residences lenger from each of his/her this prohibition is extended citizens, born or naturalized. for the first of November, in respective parties can call to the entire property. This Residency requirements are the case of the general elec- into question a particular could be problematic if the allowed provided they are in tion. If you simply can’t help individual’s voting eligibility. polling place is in a public keeping with the holding in it, request an absentee ballot Challengers are expected to park building or school that Dunn. Minnesota has a before you pack up and move. challenge in good faith. If has extensive grounds twenty day residency require- Luckily most students have there is a problem and you surrounding it. Exceptions ment. All states require a settled in to their new digs a are not allowed to vote for may include the wearing of person to be 18 years or older couple months before some reason DO NOT LEAVE. issue oriented buttons or by the day of the election. November rolls around. You will forfeit your right to other accoutrements provided Many states bar convicted During a stretch break at felons from voting. Some vote if you do. Voter advo- the particular issue is not up the middle of the talk, all cates should be on hand to for a vote. states restore the ex-felons attendees indicated they were help you. Of course these Various group representa- voting rights once they have registered to vote by standing advocates are not allowed to tives then presented served their time including on cue. It would have been a be within 100 feet of the opportunities to volunteer parole. States may also tough room to admit other- polling place. This may result promoting voter advocacy and prevent the mentally incapac- wise. itated from voting if the in some logistical challenges. other legal issues pertaining person’s voting rights have Professor Dube then high- Other than the cheerful “I to November 2nd and beyond. been legally terminated. lighted some potential voted” red stickers, no direct concluded on page 14 The Opinion • October 2004 Page 3 From the Editor “DON’T VOTE IT ONLY eyesores with, I was (mildly) ENCOURAGES THEM.” So read a outraged by the patriotic bumper sticker on the back of “Don’t Vote” sign posted on a dilapidated green school bus Clear Channel Outdoor bill- Editor-in-Chief: Carla J.