Take Action, Get Involved
Voter suppression remains a critical obstacle in a free and just United States of America. Thousands of protestors, including myself, have taken to the streets this summer because we don’t believe our voices are truly being heard. A typical response to our grief has been, “so take your issues to the polls.” Under normal circumstances, our democratic system should provide justice and allow us to express our concerns. However, history continues to repeat itself by allowing voting suppression practices to still exist. Learn more about voter suppression examples here.
“But today, voting itself is broken. Our system has buckled under the weight of repressive voter ID laws, toxic partisan and racial gerrymandering, voter roll purges and precinct closures that disproportionately target minority voters. The intentional elimination of Sunday early voting days when black voters are most likely to head to the polls even efforts nationwide to criminalize voter registration drives.” – TIME
A major problem contributing to a broken system is that we allow state-by-state laws that still enforce unequal access to voting. One solution would be creating a federal constitutional amendment that protects voting rights for all. We are long overdue for reform but it requires broader awareness and organized effort.
Below I’ve highlighted 5 need-to-know organizations that are actively fighting voter suppression. Browse their sites, follow on social and familiarize yourself with current events. Take some time to think about how you can help, whether that’s donating your time, money or even just spreading the word. Getting involved at a local level is also encouraged. Smaller grassroots organizations might already be working in your community and could use the extra help.
American Civil Liberties Union
The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party, or side. Their mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.
For more than one hundred years, ACLU lawyers have been at the center of one history-making court case after another, participating in more Supreme Court cases than any other private organization. With attorneys nationwide, we handle thousands of cases each year on behalf of clients whose rights have been violated.
From signing petitions to organizing on the ground, millions of ACLU activists are helping defend our rights.
Visit Website
Fair Fight
Fair Fight promotes fair elections in Georgia and around the country, encourages voter participation in elections, and educates voters about elections and their voting rights. They bring awareness to the public on election reform, advocate for election reform at all levels, and engage in other voter education programs and communications.
Fair Fight Action engages in voter mobilization and education activities and advocates for progressive issues; in addition Fair Fight Action has mounted significant programs to combat voter suppression in Georgia and nationally.
Visit Website
National Democratic Redistricting
The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, chaired by the 82nd Attorney General of the United States Eric H. Holder, Jr., is the first-ever strategic hub for a comprehensive redistricting strategy. With the support of former President Barack Obama, as well as key leaders around the country, the NDRC is attacking this problem from every angle to ensure the next round of redistricting is fair and that maps reflect the will of the voters. Together, we will rebuild a democracy where voters pick their politicians—not the other way around.
With a four-part strategy focused on advancing legal action, mobilizing grassroots energy, supporting reforms, and winning targeted elections, NDRC is tackling the problem from every side. As each piece comes together, their comprehensive approach to redistricting will ensure that they can achieve a fairer process and fairer maps.
Visit Website
Protect Democracy
Our democracy is facing threats we haven’t seen in generations. Protect Democracy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting efforts, at home and abroad, to undermine our right to free, fair, and fully informed self-government.
Together, armed with our Constitution and the rule of law, we can renew our democracy and protect it from those who would do it harm.
Visit Website
Let America Vote
Through online and grassroots organizing, an aggressive earned media strategy, and advertising campaigns, Let America Vote plays a crucial role among the existing network of organizations fighting for voting rights. Since they launched in February 2017, they have contacted over 1 million voters and more 700,000 people have signed up to join the cause. Let America Vote helped 110 voting rights champions win elections – from state legislators to statewide elected officials – beating anti-voter politicians across the country.
Those of us that believe in preserving the right to vote must start winning the political argument. When politicians make it hard to vote, we make it hard for them to get re-elected. That is the mission of Let America Vote.
Visit Website
