Historic Opportunity to Advance DC Voting Rights Act

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After historic advances for voting representation for the District of Columbia this past year, advocates are pushing to pass the DC Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act (H.R. 5388) before the close of the year's legislative session. The plan would grant the District voting representation, while adding an additional congressional seat for Utah under a to-be-determined redistricting scheme. Utah lawmakers have sprung into action to create the new map,  while President Bush has recently pledged to review the legislation. Meanwhile, the incoming city administration and Democratic House leadership have pledged to support the bill, creating a perfect storm for advancing voting rights this year.

[Get Involved in D.C. Voting Rights Act Action]

Rhode Island Voters Grant Right to Vote to Formerly Incarcerated Citizens

Historic Move is First in the Nation

This November, Rhode Island voters approved Question 2 in a referendum, thereby which allowing formerly incarcerated citizens who are now on probation or parole to vote. This historic vote grants the right to vote to 15,000 Rhode Islanders and makes this the first instance in U.S. history that voters have opted to expand the franchise to formerly incarcerated residents.

[Coverage of Question 2]
[More on full voting rights]

FairVote Calls on U.S. Senate to Scuttle Photo ID Legislation

Civil Rights Organizations Decry Measure That Would Likely Disenfranchise Millions of Americans

Statement of Wade Henderson, Executive Director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights:“Congress and President Bush earlier this year reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to providing access to the ballot box for all Americans.  What the House did today with its Voter ID proposal flies in the face of that recommitment.
 
The American electoral system is far from perfect but voter impersonation isn’t the problem that proponents of this bill would have the public believe. If passed, this bill won’t combat voter fraud. Instead it will stifle the franchise, eliminating the votes of millions of American citizens. We’re confident that the Senate’s measured consideration of this bill will put an end to attempts like this to disenfranchise American voters.”

[More on the Photo ID Legislation]