The midterm elections are drawing ever closer, and with them, threats to voter rights in the United States have become more present, worrying communities because restrictive laws threaten democracy.
Various communities of color have fought for years to have better representation on the maps of their states and in the framework of this fight, experts met at a press conference organized by Ethnic Media Services They spoke about maps that restrict voting, problems with security, access for people with disabilities, and the danger posed by partisan poll workers who seek to interfere with elections.
“We have seen many election laws to restrict voter access passed in many states across the country,” said Sean Morales-Doyle, acting director of the Democracy Program.
Morales-Doyle noted that the 2020 elections had a major impact on the fight for voter rights and stressed her concern about the upcoming midterm elections to be held on November 8.
"It is really worrying that there are people who are attacking the democracy and institutions on which our country has been built," he said.
Communities fight for greater representation on maps
Evan Milligan, executive director of Alabama Forward, which seeks to advance democracy in Alabama, said political districts affect turnout in communities based on race, leaving candidates uncommitted.
"These communities deserve more representation at the congressional level," Milligan said, adding that concerns about the unfair distribution of maps have become present among communities and activists, which will also lead to unfair elections.
She also noted that the lawsuits against the state of Alabama will seek maps that better represent African-American communities, which have been forgotten and excluded from civic participation.
“If we don’t have representation that is sensitive to the needs of those communities, we tend to rely too much on philanthropy and service models that will never have the resources to really address what’s happening in our community,” Milligan said.
He also stressed that due to the obstacles that exist on the part of the states in relation to elections, it has been difficult to encourage communities to exercise their vote.
Laws affect voter rights in the United States
For Kira Romero-Craft, director of Legal Strategies at Demos, although the growth of communities of color in Florida has been accelerated, "the districts of color were cut in half in Ron DeSantis' redistricting, and unfortunately those cases are still being fought in the courts."
She also noted that efforts in Florida have been hampered by the passing of laws targeting organizations seeking to register voters in communities of color.
"The legislature was going after anyone who challenged the state," he said, noting the importance of talking about the democratic system and the disadvantages of it being used as a weapon.
"These systems in the wrong hands can do terrible things," he warned.
They call to take into account the population with disabilities
Michelle Bishop, director of Voter Access and Engagement for the National Disability Rights Network, noted that one in five Americans has a disability, representing at least 20 percent of the population.
"There are 40 million voters with disabilities, at least one sixth of the total electorate," he said, noting that six percent of these people participate in democratic processes, which are sometimes difficult for them to access.
Bishop noted the importance of making the voting process more accessible for people with disabilities, as there are a number of factors that hinder their participation.
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