The 2020 elections also saw record numbers of Americans forced to wait longer to vote, partly because of the increased number of voters and the difficulties of safely voting during a lethal pandemic. Tellingly, as in the past, if you waited over 30 minutes to cast a vote, you were more likely to be a low-income Black American… 

The Presidential Commission on Election Administration stated in 2014 that “No citizen should have to wait more than 30 minutes to vote.” 

Eight years later, that goal is further away than before. Where you are and who you are significantly affect how long it will take you to vote. As well as demanding more time and commitment – including arrangements for child care if needed – long waits can discourage future voting. 

Here is more: https://thefulcrum.us/how-long-does-it-take-to-vote

Most states allow private citizens to challenge someone else’s eligibility to vote, though the rules vary by state. In many instances, such challenges are related to claims that someone has moved from a county or state and so is no longer eligible to vote there. 

Until recently, these challenges had been relatively limited. Now there has been a surge in some pockets of the country, fueled by conspiracy theories about the 2020 election…

https://19thnews.org/2022/09/georgia-elections-voter-challenges/

North Carolina now has more than 56,000 newly eligible voters. The state has allowed people with prior felony convictions to become registered voters and cast their ballots. Read about the case that made it happen: https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2022/10/north-carolina-expanded-voter-eligibility-includes-north-carolinians-with-prior-felony-convictions-midterm-elections

Voter deception and misinformation are real. It is important to rely on trusted sources for election-related information.

The Good Brigade/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — Eleven civil rights and democracy groups have sent a new letter calling for social media CEOs to combat and curb the rampant problem of election disinformation ahead of the upcoming

Source: Civil rights, democracy groups call on social media companies to combat election disinformation | News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM

The 2022-2023 Supreme Court term started today.   After the recent Dobbs decision, overturning Roe v. Wade,  many Americans fear the fate of the Constitution and how the Supreme Court will interpret it. With pending cases in the Supreme Court that touch on voting rights, Merrill v. Milligan, and free speech, 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, many citizens fear what the majority conservative bench might hold in their opinions.   To stay up to date on all upcoming cases in the Supreme Court check out https://www.scotusblog.com/ 

I remember the first time I saw a book about and written by an African American. I was in high school, working in the school library, and saw a copy of “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” in a back room. I asked if I could check it out and was told that I could have it. They didn’t want the book in the library. As a professor, author, attorney, and African American woman, it’s important to stay vigilant.   #bannedbooks efforts are connected to elections and voting rights. We must pay attention to the erosion of rights and freedoms and use our #PeoplePower to educate, organize and elect representatives who will advocate for civil rights and civil liberties. #Vote #Uncounted