[EL] AALS program on "voter suppression"

[Doug Hess]

Regarding the announcement of a Professional Development Hot Topic
Workshop on "Voter Suppression and the 2012 Election":

I don't know what "professional development workshop" means for the
AALS, but if there are lawyers working on making sure people do not
face discrimination or other illegal barriers at the ballot box, then
I don't see what the objection is. Why is it considered unsuitable to
describe something, even if you think it is very rare? There are cases
of voter suppression out there instigated by various groups in various
states. Courts have ruled on these issues. A variety of historians and
other academics have also documented these cases. A great many civil
rights groups participate in coalitions, working groups, etc. on these
issues. Although you may think the phrase is used too broadly (i.e.,
to cover  points of disagreement on election policy), I don't see  why
you should assume at the outset that the term should not be used.

Is there something about AALS workshops that make this more
objectionable than what it appears on the surface? I guess I'm
thinking of this title from the point of view of an social science
conference. People could debate the existence (or not) as well as the
nature, scope, consequences, etc. of any suppression under a panel
with that name. But even if the workshop is to train or educate people
about the possibility of voter suppression, are you really telling me
that you don't think there has been ANY in recent years?

Sorry if there is some history to AALS that I don't "get" that makes
Mark and Rick skeptical or put-off by this title. It seems straight
forward: voter suppression happens, lawyers should discuss it.

Can you explain why this is an inappropriate title? It may be a great
workshop or a horrible one, but the title alone does not seemt to
indicate anything other than a general category of law...one that is
in the press alot and that will come up in 2012.

-Doug

As background, a snippet from Mark's original post:

"I wonder whether it is appropriate for the AALS to use the phrase
“Voter Suppression” in the description of the program. That seems to
presuppose that proponents of voter id laws and perhaps other voting
regulations (such as active review of voter rolls to eliminate dead or
ineligible persons) are engaged in voter suppression. it also makes me
wonder whether the program will be at all balanced. You would hardly
want to balance a program by including people who want to engage in
voter suppression, would you? I’d think inclusion of the phrase
“voting integrity”  would have signaled a more balanced approach. I’m
also not sure that this topic is ordinarily one that a “Professional
Development” committee would deal with. Perhaps the scope of that
committee’s responsibilities is broader than the name suggests.

MarkS. Scarberry