According to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) [every ethinic, race, color, creed, etc.], the Voting Rights Act of 1965 protects and ensures each US citizen a voice in government. Having a voice in government determines jobs, education opportunities, and even justice in your community. Voters can take an active role in assisting the NAACP to protect minority voting rights.
Key things to know:
1) Each individual vote must be given equal weight in the electoral process. This is based on an equal number of citizens in an election district. The emphasis is on "equal number of citizens;"
2) The Voting Rights Act, Section 2 protects the Voter from ANY voting practice or procedure that denies or interferes with the right to vote based on the race, religion, national origin, color, etc. of the Voter;
3) The Voting Rights Act, Section 2 prohibits the "dilution" of voters. This is a scheme that is unconstitutional. Please see next post "Voting 102."
4) The Voting Rights Act does NOT require that there be discriminatory intent;
5) The Voting Rights Act, Section 5 FREEZES election practices or procedures until that practice or proceudre has been reviewed by the US Department of Justice or a US District Court; and
6) The Voting Rights Act, Section 5 protects the progress of racial minorities and not, NOT does not allow a set back of that progress for racial minorities.
It is important to understand how YOU can help protect Voters and uphold the Voting Rights Act, which is a Constitutional right under Amendments 14 and 15, for yourself, your children, your grandchildren, etc. Understand this will help advance "colored people" for generations to come!
STAY alert by monitoring redistricting meetings and activities in your community. These meetings ARE PUBLIC and most likely take place in your local government and school boards so please get to those meetings, document the activities, and then share with everyone in your family and neighborhood who was not able to attend (e-mails, twitter, facebook, phone calls, etc.);
KEEP your local chapter of the NAACP informed about these meetings as well. Contact the NAACP at redistricting@naacpnet.org or by calling (410) 580-5675;
Build strong networks with the media, legislators, other civic organizations, and the public at large who will be affected by redistricting efforts immediately and continuously!
Be especially attentive to look out for redistricting in remote areas where households may be behind in communication technology (internet), lack transportation to meetings, elderly, disabled, socially disadvantaged, etc. Stand in the gap for these remote residents to prevent the "dilution" from happening.
Be accountable, responsible, and active!
Please the other "Voter 102" post and each one, teach ONE!
Passing the peace,
Posted By: agnes levine
Sunday, June 19th 2011 at 3:55PM
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