Wednesday, May 29, 2013

African-American Roundtable Speaks Against Partisan Assault on Our Voting Rights

From the inbox:
The African-American Civic Engagement Roundtable released the following statement against LRB 1763, legislation being circulated by Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale) that puts historic barriers on Wisconsinites who wish to cast a ballot and jeopardizes Wisconsin's extraordinarily high voter turnout.

The African-American Roundtable strongly opposes LRB 1763. A democracy is only strong when it ensures that all of its citizens can participate and have a say in their government. For over 150 years, our great nation has worked to increase and expand access to democracy. Now, Rep. Stone seeks to reverse this progress with a legislative package that constitutes the greatest attack on voting rights in Wisconsin since the 1960s," said Mike Wilder the Co-Chair of the African-American Civic Engagement Roundtable.

Historically, we have made great strides towards empowering the poor, the elderly, students, and people with disabilities to vote. We should be proud of these expansions that endow all Wisconsinites the right to cast a ballot. LRB 1763 is yet another partisan attack our constitutionally protected right to vote, free from interference and unreasonable barriers. In fact, it includes "new" Voter ID legislation that is incredibly similar to the Voter ID legislation ruled unconstitutional last year. The Roundtable urges our state lawmakers to oppose this legislation, and to focus their attention on job creation. Wisconsin needs more people working, not less people voting," finished Rosalynn Wolfe, Co-Chair of the African-American Civic Engagement Roundtable.

Members of the African-American Civic Engagement Roundtable include Citizen Action of Wisconsin Education Fund, Wisconsin Voices, ATU Local 998, The Transit Riders Union, The Advancement Project, The League of Young Voters Education Fund, 9to5 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Jobs Now, Urban Underground, Reproductive Justice Collective, MICAH, Afro World Enterprises, and Center for Progressive Leadership.

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