[EL] State A.G. and action on voting rights

[Hess, Doug]

Reading the article in the link below (first paragraph also below) caused me to wonder again about the role of state Attorneys General in election reform and implementation. 

Do states have differences in the AG role that would explain why a state AG would "unveil" an act? Or is this largely a difference in strategy, careerism, etc. of an office holder?

On a related question, one of greater interest to me, I've always wondered why AG offices have (largely) played a role in implementation of the NVRA by defending their state against charges of noncompliance. Even when the issue of noncompliance has not reached litigation, I don't sense the state AG offices see state compliance with law as their job. Is that generally true of their approach to state compliance with federal civil rights? Do state AG offices have no tools for enforcement when it comes to state and local governments? I.e., if a state agency or county is not complying with state or federal disability laws, would the state AG ever sue or take other action to enforce compliance?


http://prospect.org/article/ag-action

"Last week on the steps of Federal Hall, the Wall Street building where George Washington was inaugurated and the Bill of Rights was introduced, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman unveiled the New York Votes Act, a package of election reforms he hopes can transform his state into a national leader on voting rights."


Douglas R Hess
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Grinnell College
1210 Park Street, Carnegie Hall #309
Grinnell, IA 50112 
phone: 641-269-4383

http://www.douglasrhess.com