Voting is a cornerstone of democracy and is key to shaping the laws and policies that govern our communities. It is a way to have your voice heard on issues like education, health, and public transportation at the local, state, and national levels. In addition, voting is one of the most effective ways to fight back against social injustices and inequalities in our society by electing officials who reflect our values and interests.
The right to vote in the United States is protected by federal law. The Voting Rights Act of 1965, which reaffirmed the 15th Amendment, outlawed literacy tests and poll taxes and required covered jurisdictions with a history of voter suppression to get preclearance from either the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia or the Attorney General before making changes to their election laws. These laws were designed to make sure people who had historically been denied access to the ballot could vote freely.
After the Civil Rights Movement, more Americans gained access to voting through further reforms such as the 24th Amendment, which ended property restrictions for men, and the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. However, the struggle for voting rights continues.
As a result, we are seeing more states adopting new laws that would make it harder for some voters to participate in elections, particularly people of color. Some of these new laws include restricting early voting, eliminating same-day registration, and allowing states to purge their voter rolls, all of which disproportionately affect communities of color.