Part of the modern mythology of the United States is the unalienable right to vote.
But it's not that simple. Throughout American history, voting rights have not been available to all. At first, only white male landowners could vote. Since then, civil rights activists, suffragists, and lawmakers have worked to amend the constitution and ensure that most American citizens over the age of eighteen are eligible to vote.
For many people, multiple roadblocks still line the path to the polls. According to the ACLU, in 2008 the United States had the most diverse electorate ever. Since then, many politicians have worked to dismantle the diversity of our electorate by passing measures that make it harder to vote — particularly for low-income and working class people, BIPOC, and people for whom english is a second language.
Often, voter suppression is masked as fear of voter fraud. Using strict voter id laws, closing polling places, and purging voter registrations are just a few of the ways Americans are denied their constitutional right to vote.
As we approach this year’s presidential election, please join us in working to make voting accessible and possible for all American voters.
Register to vote
Visit vote.gov to register today.
You can also help other folks get registered, too:
Swing Left helps connect you with like-minded members of your community to host events, participate in canvasses, plan fundraisers, and more.
Help Rock the Vote register, educate and turn out young people to vote.
More ways to learn & get involved:
Movement Voter Project (MVP)
Works to strengthen progressive power at all levels of government by helping donors – big and small – support the best and most promising local community-based organizations in key states, with a focus on youth and communities of color.
Fair Fight
Promotes fair elections in Georgia and around the country, encourages voter participation in elections, and educates voters about elections and their voting rights.