Social Justice Committee

Protecting Voting Rights

Voting is the most basic right in our democracy. The right to vote freely for a candidate or issue of one’s choice is the essence of a democratic society, and any restrictions are contrary to representative government. The right to vote in a free and unimpaired manner is basic to preserving other basic civil and political rights. It is foundational to the ability to participate in civic life by having a voice in making decisions and in choosing the elected officials whose decisions impact our lives, families, communities, state and nation. The issue of voting rights in the United States has been contested throughout our history. In the absence of a specific federal law or constitutional provision, each state is given considerable discretion to establish qualifications for voting and candidacy within its own state. In addition, lower level jurisdictions within a state establish their own election systems. Beyond qualifications for who can vote, rules and regulations concerning voting have been contested since the advent of Jim Crow laws and related provisions that disenfranchised racial minorities. Gerrymandering and voter suppression are currently used to reduce the voting rights of people who would otherwise be eligible to vote. Protecting voting rights by supporting and advocating for policies and practices for equitable, accessible and representative participation ensures that voting is free, fair, and easy for all to participate and does not exclude any eligible Americans.

Call to Action: Prevent Voter Intimidation

A private security company is recruiting former U.S. military Special Operations personnel to guard polling sites in Minnesota on Election Day, an effort the chairman of the company said is intended to prevent left-wing activists from disrupting the election but that the state attorney general warned would amount to voter intimidation and violate the law. Private security contractors have no place in our elections. The mere presence of private armed security guards around polling places is voter intimidation of the most sinister kind. The buck stops with our state officials – they are responsible for maintaining the integrity of this process and the security of our polls. While there’s just 19 days to go until Election Day there is still time to make our voices heard and keep this process safe. Add your name to the attached letter urging voting officials to make it clear that there is no role for private security contractors in our elections:

http://act.winwithoutwar.org/sign/private-security-election

Social Justice Committee contact: 

Michael Cunningham:  mscunningham@sbcglobal.net