By: Susan E. Oser, NFBPWC Rapid Response Committee Chair 

Issues that will need your attention and need to be addressed. – Focus on Voting Rights  

As Rapid Response chair, it is my job to keep my ear to the ground and eyes to the screen or otherwise on issues that I feel should not only be an issue for us personally but also for your locals to discuss or have a special educational presentation on.   

Last month I mentioned three big issues that will be big political footballs this year to keep your eye out for.  This month, I’d like to focus on voting rights and why they matter for ALL of us. 

Voting as we all know is our fundamental civil right.  However, there are some states and some communities that don’t really think so.  Because of this, organizations like the ACLU have helped with lawsuits that have taken governments to court. 

Here is a Michigan situation related to redistricting and drawing maps: 

A three-judge federal court panel agreed on new boundaries to be drawn by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) for some state House seats.  In December, a federal court determined that the redrawn map affected the black voting power that is strong within the city of Detroit (which is 77% African American).  Thus MICRC was ordered to literally go back to the “drawing board.” 

Source: https://tinyurl.com/yr55fafc  

Nationally, at the capital, the Freedom to Vote Act (S.1) and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S.4) are in a holding pattern. If passed, these bills would protect voting rights, stop voter suppression and gerrymandering, reform our campaign finance system, and safeguard our election security from a federal level. The Senate has voted a few times to move these bills forward but have been blocked by the minority party. 

The League of Women Voters has more information on Voting Rights at the National Level here: 

Support the Expansion of Voting Rights -https://tinyurl.com/56azjcfd 

Tell Democrats and Republicans to Work Together on Voting Rights -https://tinyurl.com/ye2xe8fv 

Urge Your Members of Congress to Support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act - https://tinyurl.com/mshh2sbr 

So, what can you do to make sure you have voting rights in your state while supporting others? 

1. Get involved and sit in on meetings or webinars as time allows. 

2. Volunteer for organizations that fight for voting rights. 

3. Write to your representative and senator (state and nationally) 

4. Write a letter to the editor. 

5. Post and share any information you come across on your social media platforms. 

6. Host presentations and webinars in your local/affiliate BPW clubs. 

Please connect with Sue Oser at rapidresponse@nfbpwc.org if you have any ideas on topics that should be focused on and discussed as we get into the big election cycle or you feel have not been addressed in this article.  In future articles, I’ll be focusing on each of these (and any others suggested by you) for a better understanding and education of the issues.