“The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.”
—John Lewis
After historic voter turnout in 2020, 18 states enacted 30 laws that restrict access to the vote (between January 1 and July 14, 2021) while at the same time at least 25 states enacted 54 laws with provisions to expand voting access. This deepens a national divide where the right to vote appears to depend on where in the USA you live.
This is why National NCJW is focused on supporting the For the People Act (S1) and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which would protect voters by preventing new discriminatory laws from being implemented by states. The Supreme Court won’t protect voting rights, so Congress must!
As a section we can help to provide information and stop the rampant spread of misinformation. Informed citizens are democracy’s best defense. Together with the League of Women Voters, we must prepare for National Voter Education Week, October 4–8.
It involves five days with five actions.
-
Day 1: Monday, Oct. 4, #voteready
-
Register to vote or check your registration status and information.
-
Let’s help register new voters. Grandmothers, call your eighteen-plus-year-old grandchildren and make sure they are registered to vote.
-
-
Day 2: Tuesday, Oct. 5, #mailready
-
Request your mail-in ballot or verify that you are on the list to receive your mail-in ballot
-
-
Day 3: Wednesday, Oct. 6, #voteplanready
-
Mail in or drop off your ballot on time
-
Know where to vote and if you can vote early
-
-
Day 4: Thursday, Oct. 7, # ballotready
-
Know what’s on your ballot and which congressional district you are in
-
-
Day 5: Friday, Oct. 8, #weready
-
Bring your sample ballot with you to the polls
-
Assist others who need help getting to the polls or dropping their ballot in a dropbox
-
Join me in making this a reality! Call or email me (carriegot@yahoo.com, 908-229-0134) to be part of this initiative. Let’s each do what we can to preserve our democracy!
—Carrie Goteiner, Voter Education Chair