Ally Action Project Week 13: Racism in Voting

Last week, we examined some of the specific upcoming candidates and their platforms, pressing the need to vote in the upcoming election as one of our most powerful tools to directly influence a system of racism This week, we continue to explore the importance of voting, and some of the laws that prevented over one million citizens from voting in the 2016 election.

We found that while 25% of Blacks in America are without an ID, only 7% of Whites are missing an ID. The ACLU has been pressuring the 30 states that have considered or passed voter ID laws to vote for candiates that want to repeal the local laws overwhelmingly effecting minorites.

Our main action of the week is to review candidates up for election on the local and federal level, in order to vote for officials that will work to protect the right of citizens to vote.

Our secondary action was to sign up for membership to "Let America Vote", an organization dedicated to eliminating voter discrimination. They also dislike the voter ID requirements, citing that Texas will allow a gun license to prove identity at the ballot, but not allow a student ID or other alternative ID that minorities might have. ID paperwork requires on average between $75 and $175 in expenses and travel, which especially now does exclude many people from being able to easily obtain their ID.

The most integral part to a democracy is the right to vote. Vote in the upcoming general election for anti-racist candidates that are willing to put a stop to some of the methods used to discriminate against minority right to vote.