Why Is Your Right to Vote Important?
The right to vote gives us the power to hold our elected leaders accountable — to remove those who don’t represent our values and replace them with leaders who will fight for our vision for the future.
Sometimes leaders who don’t share our values get scared of this power, and they try to take away our right to vote. They create barriers, like poll taxes and restrictive identification requirements, to try to silence our resistance. But each time they do so, Americans have marched, fought, and even died to protect our rights.
This fight is far from over. I’m going to help simplify what’s going on, but America need your help defeating bad policies that threaten our freedoms, and fighting for policies that protect everyone’s right to vote.
On this podcast we discuss the No-ID voter and the fact that some voters have no form of ID exclusions can apply if they have previously voted. Some states allow utility bills with current address. Federal law requires all first-time voters who do not supply information that can be verified against other state or federal databases at the time they register to show some form of ID when they vote.
The Procrastinating voter and the fact that very few states allow late or in-person same-day voter registration. The fact is most deadlines range from two weeks to 30 days before Election day and voters who fail to register by the specified date cannot cast a ballot.
The Eager Student Voter may face complications since there is a smaller proportion of students that have a driver’s license than in the 1980’s. There are a few ways for students to vote even if they don’t have a license, so parent’s LISTEN UP and help your kid exercise their right to vote.
The Working Parent Voter has difficulties in voting because they are likely not to be able to take a day off work to go vote. Plus it can go against some of our attendance records. Some states allow absentee ballots and early voting. Some do not. Learn about what some states allow and check the link below if your state participates in paid time off to cast your vote.
Lastly I discuss Felony Voters. This is the one I was completely in the dark about until about a week ago. Times are changing and those who have previously had felony charges are likely to be able to vote. While the ability between states vary (some require if convicted of a previous felony charge, one must be off probation and nothing outstanding.) Regardless, check the link below for tools to help get registered to vote if you have a previous felony conviction.
2020 Presidential election calender:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/us/elections/2020-presidential-election-calendar.html
Lookup to insure you are actively registered to vote:
https://www.vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote
Check voting rights in your state:
Do you get time off to vote?:
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/paid-time-off-to-vote-where-your-state-falls
Tools to help restore your right to vote post felony conviction:
https://campaignlegal.org/cases-actions/restore-your-vote-felony-rights-restoration
Donate to Make-A-Wish Foundation through Stephanie Harrison’s team:
Do you need additional help or information? Feel free to send me a DM through social media.
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