Thoughts on the John Lewis New York State Voting Rights Act
This evening, I joined a zoom about the John Lewis New York State Voting Rights Act (NYVRA).
I believe a strong, inclusive, growing democracy is our foundation and as someone said this evening,
“every issue we care about starts with voting — it’s not the end-all but it’s the start.”
The NYVRA will take on longstanding and future voting suppression, enfranchise New York voters especially those oppressed, and protect + expand our voting rights + access. The NYVRA is a landmark law that should inspire and push other states and our federal government to act.
The NYVRA does many things, but on a basic level it says,
“every decision made about voting must favor enfranchisement.”
As we head into a second primary in late August after a fraught redistricting process, the importance of a law that says every decision made about voting must favor enfranchisement is clear.
The NYVRA goes into effect in July 2023. Ahead of that we must work to make sure every part of the law is funded. The NYVRA cannot become another of NY State’s unfunded mandates. All of us must demand our state lawmakers and candidates running to commit to funding the NYVRA.
This evening, one of the panelists said we must work to make sure people understand that,
“voting is hiring an employee.”
I say we start doing that for the August Primary — If you want to work for me, show me your plans to protect and expand voting and our democracy.
