The midterm elections are over, but the fight for election protection continues. We cannot stay silent as groups of individuals continue to be targeted for voter suppression and disenfranchisement. Women fought for years for the right to vote, and we must continue to fight for those who are being denied the franchise or discouraged in their right to take part in our elections. The League of Women Voters has always made fighting for voter’s rights one of its primary missions, and we will continue that fight.

The need to fight is clearer than ever as some of our elected officials seem open to constricting rather than expanding access to the ballot. Just one example was voiced by Arizona State Representative John Kavanagh, who has defended proposals to restrict Arizona’s vote-by-mail system: “Everybody shouldn’t be voting . . . quantity is important, but we have to look at the quality of votes, as well.” The idea that some people are more qualified to vote is not a new idea. We can simply look back at the history of our elections. Roadblocks have consistently been set up to discourage or disqualify individuals from trying to cast a ballot, from the founding of our nation through Jim Crow to the present day. Most of these laws were meant to make it harder for individuals of color and other minorities to take part in elections.

The roadblocks to voting differ in many states, but all are effective in guaranteeing that some individuals have more access to the polls than others. Polling places have been located in hard-to-reach locations and have had limited voting hours to discourage those without transportation. We all need flexible hours, time off from work to get to the polls, and access to mail in voting.

Voting rights for individuals awaiting trial and the formerly incarcerated vary greatly from state to state. Some states help and encourage citizens, both in jail and on probation or parole, to register and fill out a ballot. Other states ban such individuals from voting or force people to pay large fines before their rights are reinstated.

Transgender people face many hurdles to voting due to name or gender identification. Many states require an identification card stating a name and sex no longer recognized by that individual. Standardized identification documents should no longer require gender identification.

These are only a few examples of the ways voter access can be restricted and suppressed. Every citizen must be guaranteed a right to cast a ballot. There will always be individuals who are trying to repress the vote, and the League must always fight for our foundational goal: guaranteeing free and fair elections. Take action by encouraging our representatives to ensure voting rights—or get involved by sitting in on one of your League’s Voter Services Committee meetings!

—Susan Sosin, Chair, Voter Services Committee