F
or a free society to prosper, its people
must have a voice. In a democracy, the
right to vote is fundamental.
Voter rights are under attack now as
right-wing state legislators work to pass
voter suppression legislation, drafted most
often by the American Legislative Exchange
Council (ALEC), a well-funded corporate
lobby.
“I don’t want everybody to vote.
Elections are not won by a majority
of people. ... As a matter of fact, our
leverage in the elections quite
candidly goes up as the voting
populace goes down.”
Paul Weyrich, founder of ALEC
While voting is guaranteed under the
U.S. Constitution, determination of how that
right is implemented is left up to each state.
Right now, legislators across the country
have introduced voter ID and balloting laws
that could disenfranchise more than 21 million eligible voters.
That is contrary to our belief that in the
democratic process, as many Americans as
possible should register and vote. Every
citizen has that right and we are determined
to work together to make sure that right is
not denied.
Stand Up and Join
the USW Fight Back Campaign!
Contact:
USW Voter Suppression 2012 Fight Back Program
USW Civil and Human Rights Department
Five Gateway Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412-562-2398
Email: [email protected]
Be sure to check our website for updates!
http://www.usw.org/resources/civil_rights
V
oting rights in the United States have
a long, hotly contested history. The
country’s founders only guaranteed
voting rights to white, male property owners.
The history of the fight for voter rights largely
defines our democratic society.
W
hy the concentrated effort NOW to
pass voter suppression legislation?
The richest 1% and their right-wing
allies understand that they cannot control our
government if the majority of citizens vote.
When President Barack Obama was elected in
2008, 15.1 percent more African Americans cast
ballots than in 2004. The increase for Latinos
was 28.4 percent.
These same communities, along with senior
citizens, recent high school graduates and the
poor are targeted in voter suppression legislation. Quite simply, Voter ID bills aim to further
silence the voices of communities that historically are left out of the process.
There is ample evidence of widespread voter
suppression in the 2000 presidential elections in
Florida and Ohio. The tactics employed by antidemocratic forces in both states tipped the vote
to favor the corporate-backed candidates.
Voter suppression leads to lower citizen participation in government and takes our democracy backwards in time. We cannot allow the rich
1% and their right-wing allies to deny ordinary
Americans their fundamental right.
1868 — The 14th Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution defines Citizenship by birth or
naturalization.
Photo ID Laws:
Some 34 states introduced legislation
that would require voters to show
photo identification in order to vote.
More than 21 million citizens, 11 percent of all Americans, do not possess
a government-issued photo ID.
Proof of Citizenship Laws:
At least 12 states introduced legislation that would require a birth
certificate or a passport as proof of
citizenship to register or vote. Most
current state laws only require proving residency by presenting a utility
bill or bank statement.
Making it More Difficult to Register:
At least 13 states have introduced bills that would end Election Day and
same-day voter registration.
Reducing Early and Absentee Days:
At least nine states introduced bills to reduce early voting periods and four
tried to reduce absentee voting opportunities, measures that would seriously
impact the rights of seniors and armed service personnel.
Impeding Restoration of Voting Rights:
Florida and Iowa reversed prior executive actions that made it easier for
citizens with past felony convictions to restore their voting rights.
1870 — The 15th Amendment prohibits denying a citizen the right to vote based on race,
color or previous condition of servitude.
1920 — The 19th Amendment gave women
the right to vote.
1924 — The Indian Citizenship Act gave Native Americans the right to vote.
1961 — The 23rd Amendment gave residents
of the District of Columbia the right to vote in
U.S. Presidential Elections
1964 — The 24th Amendment prohibited the
imposition of poll taxes in Federal elections.