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| Consider sending a few dollars to a voters' rights organization. |
We have to support voters' rights! Too many in the United States over time have been distanced from their right to vote because of systematic racism, sexism, classism, and oppression.
In my own life, I have not voted a number of times because my work and parenting expectations hindered my ability to vote. At those times, I didn't have an extra minute or ounce of energy to get to the voting booth. I chastised myself for this, but looking back, it was clearly a case of inaccessible voting parameters because it was almost impossible for me to vote, do my job, and care for my family all at the same time. This year I voted by mail for the first time. It was awesome. My husband and I sat down at the table, discussed the voting decisions, researched questions and candidates we knew little about, and made choices we were proud of. We could do this because we could make time for this on a weekend. After we filled out our ballots, we drove to the local ballot box and dropped the ballots off. This was so much better than voting at a local polling booth in the past--I had the time, resources, and place to carefully complete my ballot.
Those who are tricking the public right now by rolling back accessible voting options are working solely for their White, wealthy privilege rather than the rights for all Americans to vote. How can we counter this?
First, find out what your state and federal Representatives and Senators are doing right now with regard to voters' rights? If they are working against making voting accessible, write to them and tell them to start working to make voting accessible to all. Also alert your friends, family members, and neighbors of this threat to their right to vote.
Next, look at the districts in your state--are those districts fair or are the districts created to optimize the power of White supremacists and the wealthy alone? If you feel that your state's districts are unfairly created, speak up.
And, join groups that are working for accessible voting and voters' rights. The people working against voters' rights are led by wealthy, self-serving individuals and organizations who have more power of time and wealth than most Americans. The only way we can counter groups like this is to work together.
Educate yourself about the voting laws in your district. Think ahead, research, and make plans to vote.
Our individual vote in the USA is a great power we have related to how our country develops and works day to day. We have to work to make sure that right is accessible to all of us, and that we do exercise with good care, knowledge, and thought each time there is an election.