Our show on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, 12:00-1:00 PM, EDT, will be all about voting — taking down obstacles to voting, and lifting up candidates who are worth voting for! Terry O’Neill, President of the National Organization for Women will serve as the guest host of this show.Terry O’Neill
President
National Organization of WomenThe Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) represented the culmination of years of work, marches, demonstrations and advocacy by the Civil Rights Movement to end widespread voter suppression in the segregated South and other states. The law prohibited racial discrimination in voting policies. In particular, Section 4(b) required certain jurisdictions– those with a particularly sordid history of race-based voter suppression–to obtain “pre-clearance” from the U.S. Department of Justice before changing their voting rules. Voter turnout in communities of color soared after the VRA was enacted. But all that changed in 2013 when the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the VRA in Shelby County v. Holder. This ruling opened the floodgates for discriminatory voting laws across the country. Most of these laws target communities of color, young voters, the elderly, low-income voters, immigrants, and people with disabilities. And many of them disproportionately impact women in those communities.
Today, four years after Shelby County, 17 states have passed voter identification laws that require photo ID. It is estimated that 20 million voting-age citizens do not have the type of photo ID required by these laws. In addition, in 2011 alone, 10 states introduced bills that would reduce early or absentee voting periods, 3 states passed laws slashing early voting by 50%, and 16 states introduced bills to end voter registration drives. Yet, in the past three elections, increasing numbers of voters, especially African Americans and women, have utilized early voting.
Progressives around the country are mobilizing to set our democracy back on the right track. We know that taking down the barriers to voting is just one-half of the battle. The other half is lifting up and supporting progressive candidates who can inspire more people to turn out and vote.
Our guests are two women who are on the front lines of guaranteeing the right to vote, and promoting candidates that we would want to vote for.
Nicole Austin-Hillery is Director and Counsel at the Washington, D.C. office of the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan law and policy institute dedicated to improving our systems of democracy and justice. Among other things, the Center’s Democracy Program brings national perspective and expertise in the fight to protect and promote voting rights. Glynda Carr is co-founder and political strategist at Higher Heights for America, whose mission is to build a long-term strategy to analyze, expand, and support a Black women’s leadership pipeline and strengthen their civic participation beyond just Election Day. See guest bios and pictures at www.BarbaraArnwine.com.
Join us for a lively conversation about what it will take to restore access to the voting booth, and to ignite voter enthusiasm for progressive candidates.
Be sure to listen live to the show on Tuesday, 12:00-1:00 PM, EDT, in the DC Metro Region, at WOL 1450 AM and worldwide on the Internet at www.BarbaraArnwine.com.
Spread the Word! You may call and make comments or ask questions during the show at 800-450-7876.
Blessings!
Glynda C. Carr
Co-Founder, Higher Heights for America. Advocate and political strategist Glynda C. Carr is recognized for her innovative leadership style, commitment to expanding the civic participation […]
Nicole Austin-Hillery
Nicole Austin-Hillery is the first Director and Counsel of The Brennan Center’s Washington, D.C. office which she opened in March 2008. In her role, Ms. […]
Terry O’Neill
Terry O’Neill, a feminist attorney, professor and activist for social justice, was elected president of NOW in June 2009. She is also president of the […]
