Here's How We Fight Against Voter Suppression

By Arkee Escalera


On Wednesday, October 10th, the Waller County Sheriff’s Department in Hempstead, Texas confirmed that Jacob Aronowitz, a campaign staffer for Democratic congressional hopeful Mike Siegel, had been arrested. Aronowitz was delivering a letter to the Waller County Elections Administrative office, one that demanded the county update the voter registration status of students who attend Prairie View A&M University, a historically black university.


The letter was written in response to Election Administrator Christy Eason’s sudden choice to require the university’s students to fill out “change of address” forms sort in attempt to vote on campus. Aronowitz was arrested soon after taking a phone photo of the clerk soon after she accepted the letter from him, which he wanted as proof that the office derived the letter. Right after being contained for two hours, he was released, however officials kept his phone.


Several of Prairie View A&M’s 9,000 students—82% of whom are black, according to statistics from Spring 2018—were confused as to why the validity of their registrations was being questioned in the initial place. Back in 2016, university officials agreed with the county and local political parties that the students would list either 100 University Drive or 700 University Drive as their address any time registering to vote; students at the school didn't have individual mailboxes, so this was a vital solve. And right now, without warning, thousands of potential voters who adhered to an agreement suddenly saw their rights in jeopardy.


What else is new?


The Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed literacy tests, poll taxes and other financial and educational barriers that had prevented black Residents of the United States in the South from voting. Nevertheless 53 years later, those rights are still being threatened. Whether it’s in Texas, Georgia, Florida, North Dakota, Ohio, Alabama, Iowa—throw a dart at the map, really—thinly-veiled laws and tactics across the nation (often in states and counties that have historically voted Republican) are sharply aimed at keeping younger voters and voters of color (who statistically lean Democrat) away from the polls.


“The biggest thing young people need to understand is that a lot of folks are working very very hard to stop them from voting, because they know how powerful young people are,” says Kat Calvin, founder of Spread the Vote, a nonpartisan, nonprofit nationwide business that combats legislation, primarily Voter ID laws, that prevent people from voting. “Young people have a longer future to think about than anyone, [and] each and every election would be determined by 18-year-olds.”


In 2013, Shelby County v. Holder was a landmark case in which the United States Supreme Court declared two provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 unconstitutional. One of these provisions required federal permission to change voting laws and practices; without it, states have been free to modify their voting practices as they visualize fit. Since the ruling, states like Alabama, Texas, North Carolina, Ohio and Arizona have taken action. The result has led to over 1,000 polling places being shut off over the last five years—largely in primarily black communities—among other strategies that hinder voters, including redrawing state voting districts, altering polling place hours, ending same-day voter registration and pre-registration before turning 18, and implementing Voter ID laws.


Fighting against lawmakers and policy can feel like a uphill battle, although Calvin is decided to do something about this. Spread The Vote’s local chapters in states like Georgia, Florida and Tennessee make sure potential voters have the genuine identification needed to register. “I can’t live comfortably in a nation where each person isn't free,” she says, “and voting is the opening step to exercising freedom. [There are] regular sense ways to prepare ensure that people could vote that no one was addressing, and I felt it was my responsibility to repair it.”


Below, six key ways to do your part in making sure your vote counts:


Make sure you know the genuine identification, documents and deadlines required in your state to vote. Every state operates differently in regards to voter registration (which can let voter suppression to thrive). How to Vote has everything you have to know about the how to register in your state, and if you're lacking documents or the resources to get them, contact Spread the Vote for help.


Verify your registration status, especially if you’ve recently had a change in address. Sites like +1 The Vote permit you to prepare ensure you’re flawlessly registered, and also you could even encourage your companions to check their registration status.


Check on companions member friends and relatives to create ensure they’re squared away, too. Once you're all set, pay it forward and ensure those close to you are also completely registered. That's what our campaign +1 the Vote is all about.


Know your polling place's location and hours to plan ahead on Election Day. You can't vote in case you don't know where to go, and How to Vote is an easy way to check your registration, location and the hours of operation for your polling place. Additionally, your employer can’t stop you from voting; most states actually have laws designed to aid you make it to the polls, even if your polling place’s voting window falls within work hours. Check your state’s laws here.


Do your statistics before you vote! Though there really are usually similar stances shared by members of a particular party, you must know the candidates and their viewpoints on policies and national issues that can affect you and your family.


Make a party out of it! Vote Together permits you to plan events in your area to prepare voting fun. If the promise of being an integral segment of our nation's democracy doesn't sound enticing enough, maybe free drinks and food will do the trick.