Wednesday, September 12, 2012

An Update On Our Fight for Voting Rights

The Brennan Center for Justice issued an August 31st  report entitled 2012 Summary of Voting Law Changes states “at least 180 restrictive bills introduced since the beginning of 2011 in 41 states” (shortly after Tea Party Republicans took control in the 2010 Midterm Elections).  The Brennan Center also reported that  “14 laws and executive actions are currently in effect in  10 states” but


…thanks to the steadfast efforts of  U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder - despite continuous battering from the congressional GOP - along with the backbreaking efforts of voting rights organizations and individual citizens who  wrote letters, made phone calls, forwarded emails, social networked, or pounded the pavement to insure that every single eligible American has the right to vote,  WE are making progress:


TEXAS: A federal court “rejected a Texas voter identification law on Thursday. The three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court decided that the law would unduly prevent minorities from being able to vote.” (msmagazine.com)


OHIO: A U.S. District Judge handed down a decision that “restored early voting in Ohio.”  Now individuals may vote in person three days before November 6th. (politic365.com)
  

FLORIDA: A federal judge “blocked Republican Governor Rick Scott’s efforts to “impose harsh new restrictions on third-party voter registration groups” by first, blocking the law in late May and permanently killing its provisions this week. (thinkprogress.org)


WISCONSIN: A state circuit court judge “blocked a voter ID law” signed by Republican Governor Scott Walker stating in his ruling that “the law addressed a problem that was “very limited, if indeed it exist” and “would create a needless and significant impairment of the right to vote” (thinkprogress.org. )


Here's the deal...


There are still a number of states with some form of voter suppression tactics (including Florida's 10 page ballot!?!?).  We'll just have to roll up our sleeves and take that extra step to make sure our voting records are current and, in some instances, prepare for long lines at the polls. No matter what – don't get discouraged because.…


No amount of voter suppression can  top  record-breaking turnout!


Sign the on-line petitions below. Join voter registration drives. Help those who need transportation and/or ‘ID records’ fee assistance. Exercise your right to vote early or on November 6th! Either way you...




GOTTA VOTE
Get Registered > Check Status > Report Abuse > Vote!



Sources:

ON LINE PETITIONS
 Stand Against Voter Suppression Tactics

Defend Your Right to Vote



VOTER SUPPRESSION TRICKS
2012 Summary of Voting Law Changes (Brennan Center for Justice)

Florida GOP Takes Voter Suppression

Voter Suppression Series: Pennsylvania

Republican Voter Suppression Campaign Rolls Back Early Voting

Masters of Voter Suppression: Republicans employ many techniques to keep low-income voters away form the polls



COURT REJECTIONS OF VOTER SUPPRESSION
Courts Reject Voter Suppression in Four States

Texas Voter Suppression Law Rejected by Federal Court

Courts Reject Voter Suppression Overreach in Four States

Federal Courts Roll Back Florida and Ohio Voter Suppression Laws


Spread the Word!

No comments:

Post a Comment