In a
letter to the New York Times Magazine Editor published yesterday,
President Obama called on Congress, yet again, to restore the
Voting Rights Act to make it easier – not harder – for Americans to vote. He mentions and praises 94-year-old North Carolina resident
Rosanell Eaton, currently a plaintiff in a case challenging
House Bill 589 which significantly alters voting procedures:
"...this 'monster' law...shortens the early voting period by a full week, eliminates same-day registration, requires strict forms of voter ID, prevents out-of-precinct ballots from being counted, expands the ability to challenge voters at the polls, and ends a successful pre-registration program for 16- and 17-year olds." - advancementproject.org
Who is affected by this? Well, anyone eligible or trying to become eligible to vote in NC – but it seems specifically aimed at restricting students, the elderly, middle and low-income people, the disabled, and minorities. Who would want to prevent these folks from voting? And why?
Think about it, and if it makes you angry, do something about it.
You can start by supporting
Democracy North Carolina, an organization helping to protect and promote voting and fair government in our state through researching political funding and voting rights, educating and organizing citizens, and training young people and communities to speak up and be active on issues of democracy.
Local advocates have organized a fundraiser for Democracy North Carolina called
Dance for Democracy taking place tomorrow night, August 14, at
The Orange Peel who has generously donated the venue for the event.
DJ Marley Carroll will be playing Motown to Rock ‘n Roll, to Swing to Hip Hop – all in the name of protecting the voting rights of all North Carolinians.
In addition to raising funds for
Democracy NC (100% of all ticket sale proceeds and donations will go to the organization), the event will present party-goers the opportunity to volunteer for voter registration and outreach with various non-partisan nonprofit groups that are working to expand voter participation in Western NC:
Children First,
Green Opportunities,
League of Women Voters,
Mountain Voices Alliance,
Mountain People's Assembly, and
YWCA of Asheville.
Dance for Democracy is from 8pm to midnight and tickets are just $10! A $50 Patron ticket includes a pre-party with free appetizers and drinks. Table seating will be available if you don't wanna boogie.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit their
Facebook event page here.
All ticket income and donations go to Democracy NC, a 501c3 tax exempt organization.
For more information about Democracy NC, go to
www.democracy-nc.org