Voter Suppression: A Cancer in our body politic
Dear WSD reader,
Voter suppression is a huge threat to our democracy, as state legislatures pass waves of restrictive voting laws. These insidious measures target minority voters, in particular, but also younger voters and Democrats living in urban areas. I have been writing about this topic for ClassAct, an organization of college classmates that focuses on political and social justice issues.
As you know, I have been keenly interested in voting issues for a long time. Last year, I co-authored a primer on gerrymandering for ClassAct and moderated a forum on that critical topic, in June 2021.
I am sending you ClassAct's latest newsletter, which contains several materials on voting suppression--and offers suggestions on how you can help to combat this scourge:
A five-minute video, in which my classmate Jim Harbison and I discuss the key issues and threats related to voter suppression
Our two-page summary of the recent trends in state laws and the Supreme Court's rulings
Our spreadsheet listing volunteer organizations that are deeply involved, and effective, in motivating potential new voters and registering them
You can easily access these materials by clicking on the buttons in the newsletter below.
Please consider donating to one of these groups or volunteering to take part in its initiatives. The midterm elections will be very important, and we can all take steps to help protect every American’s right to vote.
Best regards,
Ryan O'Connell
