For Immediate Release: March 17, 2021
Contact: media@colorofchange.org
COLOR OF CHANGE: RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS IN VIRGINIA A WIN FOR DEMOCRACY
Erika Maye, Deputy Senior Director of Criminal Justice and Democracy Campaigns at Color Of Change, issued this statement following Gov. Northam’s executive order restoring voting rights to formerly incarcerated Virginians.
”Yesterday’s decision to restore voting and civil rights to 69,000 formerly incarcerated Virginians is an important step forward to ensure everyone can participate in our country’s democratic process. Governor Northam’s announcement comes at a time when many elected officials have committed themselves to a sustained campaign to disenfranchise Black people — part of an enduring assault on voting rights. We are calling on every Governor and state legislature to restore voting rights to all incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people.
“Since the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in 2013, dozens of states have introduced bills to restrict access to the ballot box for communities of color. In 2021 alone, Republican-led legislatures in more than 43 states have proposed hundreds of bills to restrict voting through gerrymandering, curbing absentee voting access and dismantling early voting. Many of these efforts are being led in states that went blue in 2020, further revealing Republicans’ transparent tactics to disrupt the formidable political power of Black voters.
“This continuous attack on voting rights at the state level highlights the urgency of enacting comprehensive federal democracy reform. H.R.1, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last month, is critical legislation that will expand access to free and fair elections and empower voters. Yet, an amendment that would have restored voting rights to all formerly incarcerated people across the nation was voted down. It is clear that we have a long way to go before all of our laws recognize the humanity and dignity of formerly incarcerated people. Until then, the true promise of American democracy remains a myth and many states will continue to dilute the electoral impact of Black communities through disenfranchisement. It is only when the voting rights of all are protected that this country will truly be of, by and for the people.”
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Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over 7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and governments to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit www.colorofchange.org
For Immediate Release: March 17, 2021
Contact: media@colorofchange.org