UNTIL [VOTER] JUSTICE…JUST IS.
YWCA Greater Cleveland is proud to be a part of the Until Justice…Just Is campaign. Join us as we cover a different topic each month to explore some of the many areas in which true justice is needed, and what we can do to achieve equity in our community and our country until justice…just is.
This month, as we mark the passing the of 56th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, we are reminded of the work left to be done to truly protect voting rights. We believe that accessible voting free of unjust barriers is a right. Keep reading to take a deeper dive into how we can work to make this a reality until voting justice…just is. #UntilJusticeJustIs
WE ADVOCATE FOR VOTING RIGHTS
The Problem
- Disenfranchisement is a practice that effectively prevents a person from exercising their right to vote.
- For decades, racist literacy tests, poll taxes, voter intimidation, and violence, excluded Black voters from participating in the American political system.
- Today, legislation continues to prevent voters of color from fully exercising their right to vote.
- Voters with disabilities are often disenfranchised due to inaccessible polling locations, wait times, lack of poll workers trained to assist a disabled voter, and more.
- In Ohio, any person incarcerated for a felony crime is disenfranchised and must re-register after incarceration.
- Voter ID laws often disenfranchise transgender and gender-expansive people and people experiencing homelessness and/or financial instability due to the cost and time required to complete all of the necessary steps to receive a valid form of ID.
- Limited polling places (especially in urban and rural areas) make voting inaccessible to those who lack transportation and/or the time required by long waits.
The Solution
- Federally mandated practices that expand make exercising one’s right to vote accessible for all. This may include:
- decreasing distances between polling places,
- expanding accessibility training for poll workers,
- expanding voting rights for incarcerated individuals,
- alternatives to restrictive voter ID laws,
- expanding voting rights acts to prevent and reverse suppressive legislation,
- and more.
Where We Stand
YWCA Greater Cleveland believes that voting is a right. Our mission to eliminate racism and empower women is dependent upon dismantling racist voter restrictions and expanding voting to be inclusive and accessible to all citizens.
YWCA Greater Cleveland dedicates programming and advocacy efforts to helping Cleveland community members exercise their right to vote through educational campaigns and collaboration with community partners.
As we continue to respond to community need, we stand in solidarity with those actively working to ensure voting rights for all.
WE ADVOCATE FOR VOTING RIGHTS LEGISLATION
The Problem
- After the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibited racial discrimination in voting, voting became safer and more accessible than ever and rates of Black and Brown voters dramatically increased.
- In the 5 years after the VRA was passed, almost as many Black people registered to vote in southern states as had registered in the 100 years before 1965.
- In 2013, Shelby County v. Holder reversed a section of the VRA that prevented states from adopting voting changes that could disenfranchise voters of color.
- Without this legislation, states have rampantly increased measures that effectively suppress voting access.
- Legislators have attempted to pass Voting Rights Advancement Acts to reverse this precedent repeatedly since 2015, without success.
- This year, over 400 bills with provisions that restrict voting access have been introduced in 49 states.
The Solution
- Federal legislation to expand protection of voting rights and prevent future restrictive state legislation.
- This year, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act will be introduced to Congress again.
- Urge your representatives to support this important piece of legislation.
- Elimination of all suppressive voting tactics including: inaccessible polling places, voter roll purges, overly strict ID laws, limiting absentee and early access voting, and more.
- Expansion of measures that make voting accessible for those historically disenfranchised, such as people of color, people with disabilities, non-English speakers, and more.
Where We Stand
YWCA Greater Cleveland believes that voting is a right. Our mission to eliminate racism and empower women is dependent upon dismantling racist voter restrictions and expanding voting to be inclusive and accessible to all citizens.
YWCA Greater Cleveland dedicates programming and advocacy efforts to helping Cleveland community members exercise their right to vote through educational campaigns and collaboration with community partners.
As we continue to respond to community need, we stand in solidarity with those actively working to ensure voting rights for all.
WE ADVOCATE FOR THE ELIMINATION OF THE VOTER FRAUD MYTH
The Problem
- Suppressive voting laws are being proposed and introduced across the country under the pretense of upholding honest elections and eliminating rampant voter fraud.
- Extensive research proves that while voter fraud does exist, it is extremely rare.
- It is estimated that between 0.0003 and 0.0025 percent of ballots cast are done so fraudulently in any given election.
- It is estimated that over 5.8 million Ohioans participated in last November’s election. Of these, 13 have been identified as potential cases of voter fraud.
- Upholding the integrity of American elections is extremely important, part of which includes eliminating and preventing voter fraud.
- Introducing legislation that effectively disenfranchises many voters of color, voters experiencing homelessness, transgender voters, voters experiencing financial instability, disabled voters, and more is NOT a viable solution to rare cases of voter fraud.
The Solution
- Eliminate legislation that restricts voting rights under the guise of eliminating voter fraud.
- Specifically, extremely restrictive voter ID laws that disenfranchise many voters.
- Expand education around the reality of voter fraud.
- Expand current voting rights legislation to protect all voters.
Where We Stand
YWCA Greater Cleveland believes that voting is a right. Our mission to eliminate racism and empower women is dependent upon dismantling racist voter restrictions and expanding voting to be inclusive and accessible to all citizens.
YWCA Greater Cleveland dedicates programming and advocacy efforts to helping Cleveland community members exercise their right to vote through educational campaigns and collaboration with community partners.
As we continue to respond to community need, we stand in solidarity with those actively working to ensure voting rights for all.
WE ADVOCATE FOR VOTER JUSTICE IN OHIO
The Problem
- Restrictive legislation and inaccessibility cause many Ohioans to be unable or struggle to exercise their right to vote.
- Voting options and information can be confusing and inaccessible to many, making voting a non-option.
- The proposed Ohio House Bill 294 would intensely limit absentee and early voting, making voting even more inaccessible to many Ohioans.
The Solution
- Opposing Ohio House Bill 294 will allow more Ohioans access to voting by maintaining convenient absentee and early voting practices.
- Widespread education to provide information about how and when to vote, as well as expanded public information about ballot issues.
- Expanding the number of polling places and ensure all polling places are accessible.
Where We Stand
Exercising our right to vote is an important piece of creating an equitable country on our journey to eliminate racism and empower women.
Accessible information about Ohio elections is an integral part of expanding voting rights:
- This year, Election Day is November 2, 2021.
- In Ohio, voters have until October 4, 2021, to register to vote in the 2021 election.
- Ohioans can register to vote at https://olvr.ohiosos.gov/.
- Ohioans can check their registration, find their polling place, and access information about early and absentee voting at https://olvr.ohiosos.gov/.