Atlanta President Biden
Joe BidenHouse Democratic Campaign Arm Outraises GOP Rival in Final Quarter of 2021 Putin’s “Brezhnev Doctrine” involving Ukraine could backfire Rising Inflation Could Lead to Student Loan Debt MoreRecently Alarm raisedConcerned about the proliferation in dangerous state laws throughout the country that aim to further suppress and subvert the right of vote, the report called for federal-level voter protection interventions. Georgia is currently the ground zero in this fight since last year’s dramatic changes made to the states election laws. Suit casesFor focusing on voters of color’s rights. Bidens speech was made at the beginning Georgias 2022 legislative session. ProposalsTo expand on laws from last year, including banning absentee voter ballot drop boxes and investigating election complaints that were not authorized by local election authorities.
New bills Georgia, New Hampshire, Florida, Tennessee, OklahomaAnd South CarolinaRepublicans continue to try to restrict voting rights. In 19 states, 33 laws were passedThis will make it harder to vote.
National legislation that protects voting rights must be passed. The bills currently being considered in states across the country will make it difficult for Black voters and other marginalized groups to cast their ballots if they are not. This would be a major blow to American democracy and a setback for environmental justice, climate action, and other rights.
Congress has two options to pass legislation national to protect voting rights. The Freedom to Vote ActThe national standards would be established to increase access to vote, prevent voter suppression, and election sabotage, and modernize voter registration. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement ActIt would fully restore the 1965 Voting Right Act, which has been eroded by recent Supreme Court actions.
These restrictions are supposed to be in the name of preventing voter fraud. Let’s be clear: Research extensiveThe evidence has shown that fraud is rare. no evidenceThe state bills proposed will actually address the fraud that exists. These bills will stop people from casting ballots. Subversive tactics, such as interfering with local elections administration, undermine local control and public trust. Drop boxes for absentee voters can be removed or reduced to make it more convenient to vote. Voters will have to wait for hours in line to cast their ballots if polling stations are closed or consolidated in densely populated areas.
And when a person’s vote is taken away, their voice and influence are diminished on a variety of issues. Biden Atlanta’s fundamental right to vote is the foundation of all other rights.
The ongoing struggle for climate change and environmental justice is directly tied to the fight to protect and restore voting rights in the U.S. Communities of color People with disabilitiesOther historically marginalized communities, disenfranchised by election injustice, are the ones most affected by climate and environmental injustices. It is well-known that communities of color, low-income and marginalized communities contribute less to climate change, but suffer the most from its effects. Already, climate-driven natural catastrophes are a reality. Deepening the wealth inequalitiesThere is a difference between people of color and white people. Communities of color also exist Living near major polluting sources is more likelyThey are more at risk from other environmental hazards than they are from Flint, Michigan drinking water pollutionThe devastating effects of February last year Texas winter storm.
Voter suppression practices like gerrymandering Unfairly affect Black, Latino, and Asian voters. Voters of color are a result of their lived experience. Get more informationMore than white voters are concerned about climate change. According to the Yale Program on Climate Change CommunicationLatino voters are more likely, than white Americans, to contact government officials about climate changes. Black Americans are also more concerned by the climate change than white Americans. Voter protection laws ensure that everyone has the right to vote. This includes supporting policies and practices that help protect their communities from the worst impacts of climate change.
A recent environmental justice analysisRedrawn Ohios (andRecently, struck downThis point is further supported by the ) congressional districts. The analysis was based on data from the state’s demographic, economic, and health hazards data. It found that the most dangerous communities, which are overwhelmingly communities of color, were split in a way that was not beneficial to their health. They are less influential in politicsBecause they are combined, they can be found in larger areas with rural and suburban areas that don’t face the same health risks.
These Jim Crow-esque electoral laws are being opposed by environmental and climate justice activists. According to a 2020 surveyLatino Decisions shows that Latino voters support federal policies to protect water and air quality. More than half (55%) of U.S. Latinos live in one or more of the three states that suffered the most recent catastrophic climate disasters: California wildfires; Texas heatwaves; and Florida sea-level rise. The Latino community in each state is fighting to expand voter accessAnd correct election disinformation.
The right to vote is a fundamental pillar of any democracy. It is something that American politicians love defending in their campaign speeches. The American people owe Congress the duty to protect it. It is crucial that Congress acts to ensure that all voters have the opportunity to voice their opinions through elections. Disenfranchisement only will increase existing inequalities in this country at a moment when we need all voices to be heard and all hands on deck to help build a better future.
Carla Walker directs Environmental Justice and Equity. United States, World Resources Institute. Follow her on Twitter: @globalsistah