NEO Philanthropy’s Post

This is a rigorous report that confirms what one might suspect about the impact of the Shelby decision. The conclusion/recommendation - pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act - makes sense, but is hardly enough. If you want to carry on the legacy of John Lewis, make all sorts of good trouble. * Support folks who are organizing like SNCC did with the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party by donating whatever resources you can (people power, financial support, any special talents you can offer); * Get yourself trained up to be a voter protection volunteer during the next election; * Get involved in the nitty gritty of elections, like pressuring your county board of elections to set the locations of polling places and the hours and dates for early voting in ways that lower barriers to voting. Hardly an exhaustive list, but hopefully an illustrative one that drives home my point - there's lots we can do in addition to pressuring Congress, which is also good trouble to get into.

GOP consider voter suppression of black voters legal ! The next time Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) stands in front of a microphone to talk about election integrity, I want you to remember this: Nearly a third of voters in Louisiana are Black, and yet Black voters had control over less than 20% of the state’s congressional districts. White voters make up less than 60% of the electorate yet had control over more than 80% of the power. https://lnkd.in/eesVXVu9

RFK Jr. Pulls Support From These Key Biden Groups—And Could Sway Election Outcome, New Poll Shows. Latinos and young people—two key Democratic voting blocs that have strayed from President Joe Biden—are among Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s biggest supporters, according to a new poll of battleground states that comes as both Biden’s and former President Donald Trump’s campaigns have shown signs they’re unnerved by Kennedy’s influence in the race. Kennedy has the support of just 10% of voters in six battleground states in a six-way contest, but support grows to 18% for voters between the ages of... https://lnkd.in/dfWCuVmP

In her latest article for The Conversation, Ash Center's Tova Wang points to some significant advancements in election and voting reform in states like Minnesota and New Mexico, and she highlights that grassroots organization is key to success. "In these states [Minnesota, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico], organizers were key to passage of new laws to expand the vote that can make elections more inclusive. Organizers are now central to making the potential of those reforms live up to their promise." Learn more about these efforts in her article here ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eHRHbMrP

VOTE TODAY!!!!!!!! Pennsylvania’s Primary Elections take place TODAY, April 23rd and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women - Pennsylvania Chapter has all the resources you need to Get Vote Ready! Polls are open from 7 AM - 8 PM. If you received a mail-in ballot and reside in Philadelphia or Delaware counties, you can still drop it off in person at a secure drop-box location near you. Click the attached links for a list of drop-off locations in Philadelphia and  Delaware County.  Completed ballots must be received by your election office before 8 p.m. on Election Day. The Committee of Seventy provides a voter guide which is available here. This guide can be used to find out more about candidates and questions that will appear on the ballot. If voting in person remember that you are entitled to the following rights: If the polls close while you're in line, STAY IN LINE. You have the right to cast your vote. If the machines are down, ask for a paper ballot. If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one. Under Federal law, all polling places for federal elections must be fully accessible to older adults and voters with disabilities. You have the right to be free from intimidation, harassment, or coercion while casting your ballot. You have the right to cast your ballot in private. For more election information, resources and updates visit vote.pa.gov. See you at the polls! #GetOutTheVote #NC100BW-PA #YOURVOICECOUNTS

We believe that democracy works best when every possible eligible voter votes and when as many communities as possible are represented in public office. Two things have been shown to help reach those goals: 1) even-year voting and 2) ranked-choice voting. Check out this op-ed by our voting justice partners and WCA's Tony Ivey on why we're in favor of these pro-democracy measures: https://lnkd.in/gy_7uuUm

As the PA political season heats up, it's abundantly clear that the votes of PA's 1.3 million independent voters will make or break elections up and down the ballot, including the one at the top of the ticket. So what do independents want?? Well, one thing we know is that about 80% of them are more likely to support a candidate who supports their right to vote in primary elections. More and more, they're delivering that basic message to PA legislators: if you want my vote, give me yours. Pass the bill! https://lnkd.in/eAmD4hfx Here's a letter to the editor from Jenn Bullock, President of Independent Voters of PA that drives the point home: Dear Editor:   I’m a longtime independent voter and director of Independent Pennsylvanians, an organization that works to expand voting rights for unaffiliated voters in our commonwealth. There are more than 1.3 million of us – and this election is our moment. In perhaps the most prized state in the Nov. 5 election, where independent voters could decide who wins and who loses the presidential election and other close races up and down the ballot, everyone wants us, and everyone wants to know what we want so they can win our vote.   I was supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr., even going door to door to get signatures to put him on the ballot here. Now that he has left the field, the question about what people like me and other independent voters want becomes even more prominent (“Will Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Pennsylvania voters follow him to Trump?” Aug. 27).   I can’t speak for every independent voter in Pennsylvania, because they’re exactly that – independent. They make their own decisions. But what I can tell you is that among independent voters there is almost universal consensus – we want the right to vote in every election, and we are watching for the candidate willing to take up our cause. Pennsylvania remains one of only seven states to prohibit independents from voting in primaries.   According to the most recent Franklin & Marshall College poll, Kennedy claimed 14% of the independent vote in Pennsylvania in this presidential race. Another 5% supported the libertarian candidate. That means one in five independent voters were attracted to another candidate. Politicians know that independent voters swing elections. Now, with Kennedy out of the race, where do those independents fall?   If these candidates want our vote, then it’s time for them to give us their vote by repealing closed primaries. Fortunately, they have a chance to prove they care about independent voters. The state House is poised to pass H.B. 979, which has strong bipartisan support, to end the 87-year-old ban and allow independent voters to vote for candidates in primary elections. My 1.3 million independent colleagues and I are waiting and watching closely to see which candidates stand up for our rights.     Jenn Bullock, Director Independent Pennsylvanians Doylestown, Bucks County

By 2022, the turnout gap between white and nonwhite voters has increased nationwide and has grown twice as quickly in regions that would have been covered if the Voting Rights Act were still in full force. This national gap represents millions of uncast ballots.  

How can Virginians benefit from ranked choice voting? ✅ More representative government ✅ Rewards candidates that build consensus ✅ Diminishes negative campaigning ✅ More choices for voters Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e3KuXQeG #RCV #RankedChoiceVoting #Virginia #VirginiaGeneralAssembly

The Michigan Voting Rights Act (MIVRA) will institute a number of key protections for Michigan voters, with the first being to prohibit voter denial, dilution, and suppression. Voter dilution occurs when an election system or other policies deny voters of color an equal opportunity to elect candidates the community supports. Voter denial occurs when an eligible voter is prevented from voting altogether or can only vote after overcoming unfair barriers. To learn more about how the MIVRA will protect against voter dilution and voter denial and to urge your elected official to sign on, head to bit.ly/CountMENAIn!