The RaceWire Beat – 10.27.06 700 Miles Of New Fence OK’d For Mexico Border President Bush signed a bill Thursday authorizing 700 miles of new double-layer steel fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border — a move Republicans hope will give them a pre-election boost. Democrats Fear Disillusionment in Black Voters There are worries among Democratic strategists in some states that blacks may not turn up at the polls in big enough numbers because of disillusionment over past shenanigans. States Taking Closer Look at Ex-felon Voter Rights A larger number of Americans – 5.3 million – cannot legally vote because they are ex-convicts on probation, parole or have completed their sentences. Affirmative-Action Foes Twist the Facts Affirmative-action foes long have gained support by distorting the data to further their political agenda. The RaceWire Beat is a digest of the day’s top news stories on race and politics collected by the staff at ColorLines magazine.