President of the League of Women Voters of the Cape Cod Area weighs in on voting rights

Suzanne Brock

Guest Columnist

Published Feb. 13, 2022 

The headline of the letter by William Skinner from Venice, Florida, “Voting rights bill a radical piece of legislation” (Feb. 7) certainly got our attention. Mr. Skinner refers to information he got from Imprimis, Hillsdale College newsletter (Oct. 2021, Vol. 50 No. 10). Unfortunately, Mr. Skinner only chose to use some of the information presented, which is what has been happening a lot lately when presenting arguments.

Sometimes what is left out is just as important as what is presented. For instance, Mr. Skinner underpins his argument in favor of Voter IDs with the findings of the 2005 Commission on Federal Election Reform. This commission came out with its recommendations after only two limited hearings and no call for public comment. Last year, members of this commission, Jimmy Carter among them, came out to disavow that commission’s work.

The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to the protection of voting rights. For democracy to work for all, access to fair, unrestricted voting for all citizens is imperative. Imposing burdensome and unnecessary voter identification requirements is a significant assault on voting rights, which disproportionately affect voters of color, young voters, voters with disabilities, as well as veterans serving outside of the US.

The LWV of the Cape Cod Area is especially appreciative that the state of Massachusetts is forward-thinking in its voter laws. Massachusetts only requires voter identification when you vote for the first time or have been an inactive voter.

The discussion encouraging increased voter identification has become more vociferous due to the excessive misinformation about voter fraud that surrounded the 2020 presidential election. Multiple studies and investigations have indicated that there was no significant fraud. The flagrant attempts to limit voting rights for huge segments of the national population suggest that legislation such as the VOTES Act is more necessary than ever.

The League celebrates that the Massachusetts State Legislature is now in the process of hammering out in conference committee the VOTES Act. The final bill will bring strong voting reforms to Massachusetts, including unrestricted voting by mail and expanded early voting. As recommended by our Secretary of the Commonwealth, the LWV is in favor of same-day voter registration, which passed the state Senate but not the House of Representatives. We urge citizens to contact their state representatives and ask them to support same-day voter registration in the conference committee version.

Suzanne Brock is the president of the League of Women Voters of the Cape Cod Area.

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YOUR TURN: Right to vote a cornerstone of democracy

Suzanne Brock, guest columnist

Published Jan 8, 2022

Around the Cape, the state and the country, people stood out in silent vigil or hosted online vigils in order to recall the horrific event that took place at our nation’s Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. 

What happened then was tragic; however, what is more tragic is that there has been little meaningful action by our elected officials both at the state and especially at the national level to collectively and adamantly assert that violence will not be tolerated and to secure equal, safe and unrestricted voting for all American citizens. 

It appears that many of our legislators are quick with a sound bite, but when it comes to actually putting themselves on the line to stand up for the principles that our Democracy stands for, they are missing in action. Massachusetts legislators have yet to pass the VOTES Act. This is pretty amazing — and disappointing — given that Massachusetts appears to be progressive in so many other ways. 

The larger failure is evident at the national level ,as some legislators stood silent and others voiced their denial that the actions that took place on Jan. 6, 2021 posed a threat. Additionally, if our collective Congressional body was acting to “support and defend” the Constitution of the United States,” there would be a more unified voice with little argument about passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. 

If these potential laws need adjusting, then our legislators should be working around the clock to come to a compromise agreement, bring them to a vote and get the job done.  This is the way Congress is supposed to work. Instead, nothing is moving. 

Some think that our legislators are no longer working for the good of the people, but only for the good of their re-election or their political influence. When keeping the job becomes more important than doing the job, American democracy becomes imperiled.  It is incredible that some Congressional legislators, both in the House and Senate, regard themselves as so important that they need to control the process. It has become “my way or no way.” This behavior is unacceptable and unsustainable.

We all need to take some responsibility for the changes that have taken place within our country. Voters often choose candidates based on single issues that align with what they want. In order for a society to move forward, it may be important for voters to consider what is good for the majority. We all have needs and sometimes compromise is the way forward. 

The ultimate responsibility for a competent government lies with the voters. If we do not exercise our vote and eliminate those who cannot or will not do their job, the status quo will remain. Voting is the ultimate way to indicate approval or displeasure of the job being done. This is why the right to vote is so crucial for all citizens. 

For those of you who wish to remember Jan. 6, 2021, please do so by reaching out to those in office. Let them hear once more that the right to vote for all is a cornerstone of democracy. Ask your state legislators to support Massachusetts’ VOTES Act and your Congressional representatives to push for the two national voting rights bills.

Let them also know that if they are not willing to work for voting rights and open, fair and just elections, then they are not doing their jobs and we will hold them accountable.  After all that, I think I will add to my vigil a re-reading of the U.S. Constitution and a Prayer for Peace.

Suzanne Brock is president of the League of Women Voters of the Cape Cod Area.

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Our voting rights are under attack

 

Friends – This year we've seen relentless efforts to undermine the integrity of our elections and our fundamental right to vote: From the January 6 attack on the Capitol to draconian laws in Georgia and Texas to new efforts to erect barriers to ballot access here in Massachusetts. We can't let this happen. Tell lawmakers to support the VOTES Act, which will remove barriers to poll access, strengthen security and trust in our elections, and protect the right to vote. It's time for Massachusetts to push back. The VOTES Act would make permanent some of the best changes we made to elections during the pandemic, including expanded mail-in voting, and go further by implementing much-needed reforms like same-day registration. As we approach the next round of local elections, and as lawmakers return to business this September, we need to ensure that voting rights don't take a back seat. At a time when our democracy is being dragged backward, Massachusetts should take a bold step forward. Your support for civil liberties bills has been crucial to our past success. Will you join us once again to get the VOTES Act passed? In solidarity, ACLU of Massachusetts We respect your right to privacy – view our policy. This email was sent by: ACLU of Massachusetts 11 Congress Street Boston, MA 02110