On May 6, 1960 the Civil Rights Act of 1960 was signed into law. The Act was intended to strengthen voting rights across the country. It specifically included provisions calling for the federal government to inspect local voter registration rolls and authorized court-appointed referees to help African Americans register and vote. This act also provided criminal penalties for any and all parties attempting to prevent people from voting. See the the original Act virtually here.
Civil Rights
Voting by mail during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) leads to a constitutional question being raised in the state of Georgia.
A lawsuit was filed this past Wednesday asserting that the price of postage for “voting by mail” in Georgia is unconstitutional. Black Voters Matter filed a federal claim arguing that the price of postage constitutes a poll tax because it essentially requires that voters pay to cast a ballot. Read more about it here. #votingrights #coronavirus #votingbymail
A New Hampshire voting law was struck down by the Superior Court as Unconstitutional.
Last week the Superior Court found that a new law, recently added by New Hampshire’s state legislators, is unconstitutional. The law recognized as “SB3” placed multiple obstacles on the voter registration process. The new law required voters to prove their place of residence based on the exact location where they are planning to casts their vote. Additionally, the law established new repercussions on individuals who failed to comply. The Judge ultimately found these new requirements to be overly burdensome on the electoral process. It is predicted that this decision will be appealed to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Read more about the Superior Court’s holding here.
Supreme Court allows Wisconsin to throw away absentee ballots in gift to Republicans.
This is voter suppression. WI has made a number of last-minute changes in response to the coronavirus, such as drastically reducing polling places. Now, the Supreme Court told the state that it can’t make the changes that allow tens of thousands of its eligible persons to cast a ballot. Read about it here. #VoterSuppression
Complaint for Emergency Injunctive Relief in Florida Presidential Primary
Filed a complaint in Florida seeking accommodations for the many Floridians who are displaced and/or unable to cast ballots in the presidential primary. Read the full complaint here:
www.pscp.tv/w/cQDmjzFYSmprZHF5ZHFaRUx8MWRSS1pRakFvZ2J4Qr_aEM4fmWFcO3viUNrj7YtCyBJrSb8DrA9zLmu5FFYs
Here’s a livestream from today’s book launch. #Uncounted
Queens Council Members Split Over Granting Non Citizens NYC Voting Rights | Jackson Heights Post
Considering expanding the vote to all residents of a locality regardless of citizenship status, read here.
Jan. 27, 2020 By Kristen Torres “The Queens delegation is split over a city bill that would grant green card holders and many other legal immigrants.”
Source: Queens Council Members Split Over Granting Non Citizens NYC Voting Rights | Jackson Heights Post
Federal Appeals Court Wades Into Felons’ Voting Rights Battle | Daily Business Review
Here, timing is everything. The closer we get to an election, the less likely that the courts will interfere.
“Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration said the appellate ruling will ‘have far-reaching effects, as it will determine whether the state must comply with the court’s injunction in upcoming elections of national, state, and local significance in 2020.’”
Source: Federal Appeals Court Wades Into Felons’ Voting Rights Battle | Daily Business Review
Florida Supreme Court Rules on Restoration of Rights Case
The fight over the restoration of voting rights continues in Florida. The state supreme court ruled that Amendment 4, which potentially returned the right to vote to more than1 million people in Florida, required the completion of fines and fees before voting rights could be restored. Read the story here.
Federal judge lets North Dakota Republicans block Native Americans from voting.
Here’s an example of modern day voter suppression.
Republicans’ voter ID law is designed to disenfranchise Native Americans. It’s working.
— Read on slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/federal-judge-lets-north-dakota-republicans-block-native-americans-from-voting.html
Advocacy group urges reforms to felon voting restoration process | KGAN
Iowa is the latest state to initiate efforts to eliminate barriers to restore the right to vote to previously incarcerated persons. “Governor Kim Reynolds is again pitching the years-long process of amending the Iowa Constitution to automatically restore felons’ voting rights at the end of their sentence, but in the meantime, advocates are calling for changes to make the process easier and faster.” Source: Advocacy group urges reforms to felon voting restoration process | KGAN
100 years later, voting and women’s rights still need protection | Research Shows
Synergy exists between women’s rights and the right to vote. The women’s suffrage movement ignored women and men of color. 2020 offers an opportunity to work together to ensure that the right to vote is afforded to all people. #2020 #freedom #vote
This article, by Ann Luther and Sheila Kirby of the League of Women Voters of Maine, was originally published on the Bangor Daily News opinion page on December 31, 2019. By Ann Luther and Sheila Ki…
Source: 100 years later, voting and women’s rights still need protection | Research Shows
Think the Constitution guarantees your right to vote? Think again – The Boston Globe
This article argues for a constitutional amendment that would guarantee the right to vote. It highlights the recent gains in rights of restoration work as examples for the need for uniform standards.
Federal Judge Blocks NC’s Voter ID Law, Citing State’s ‘Sordid History’ of Racist Voter Suppression | Common Dreams News
A federal judge in North Carolina blocked it’s voter ID law finding, among other things, troubling racial disparities. “The evidence suggests that minority voters are not just less likely to have an acceptable form of ID, but that the legislature excluded photographic ID that could have greatly reduced that discrepancy,” the judge wrote.
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