To the editor:

In Nevada, the former Republican state chair recently tried to remove 17,000 Democrats from the voting rolls (Associated Press, Oct. 13). In the same state, a Republican-funded voter registration company is under investigation for shredding registration documents of Democrats — Oregon, too (Nevada Appeal, Oct. 13).

In Milwaukee, the state co-chair of the Bush campaign (also the county executive) has denied a request to make more ballots available, despite fewer being printed than the last two elections, and an increase in voter registration (AP, Oct. 13). In Ohio, the Republican secretary of state has refused to accept voter registration cards because they are not on 80-pound paper (Dayton Daily News, Sept. 24). A Republican state representative in Michigan said the GOP would have a “tough time” if they “do not suppress the Detroit vote,” (AP, July 21). New York Rep. Peter King: “It is all over but the counting, and we’ll do the counting,” (HBO documentary, “Diary of a Political Tourist”).

If you are an undecided voter, I hope you consider voting for candidates that at least want you to vote, and do not ask for loyalty oaths from people that want to attend one of their rallies. Send a message that a strong democracy will not tolerate these abuses.

Paul Atchley,

Lawrence