It's very good question for voters in an increasing number of states: Can they take for granted their right to vote? The ACLU wants to
help spread the word about voter suppression.
Many eligible voters may be surprised that when they go to the polls this year and in 2012, that they will not have, or be able to obtain, the documentation they need to vote—even if they have voted for decades. These laws take a particularly heavy toll on the elderly, people with disabilities, low-income families, students and voters of color.
And there could be more of these laws coming soon. Today, voters in Mississippi will decide the fate of a ballot initiative which would require government-issued photo ID to vote in all future elections. [...]
There is no legitimate justification for reducing access to the ballot for so many eligible Americans. While some proponents of these laws assert they stop voter fraud, there is no evidence to support the claim that such fraud exists in any meaningful way. What we do have, however, are the stories of real people who are being cut out of the political process as a result of them.
On this Election Day, let’s work to make sure that the next Election Day shouldn’t be made harder for voters. You can tell Attorney General Holder that you believe in protecting every citizen’s right to vote by asking the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate these laws and fully enforce the Voting Rights Act to stop their implementation where necessary.
At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing today, Holder said:
"This Department of Justice will be aggressive at looking at this jurisdictions that have attempted for whatever reason to restrict the ability of people to get to the polls. [...]
"I think a fundamental question is raised: who are we as a nation?" Holder said. "Shouldn’t we be coming up with ways to encourage more people to get to the polls to express their views?" he continued.
"I am not talking about any one particular state effort, but more generally I think for those who would consider trying to use methods, techniques to discourage people from coming to the polls—that's inconsistent with what we say we are as a nation," Holder said.
His job in doing that can be made easier by ongoing, strong support of Americans petitioning him to open investigations into the laws and to intervene where necessary. Raise a ruckus to protect the vote.