June 28 – Last week, the Safeguarding Fair Elections Act (SB 916) was introduced in Raleigh. LWVNC Vice President Marian Lewin spoke at a coalition press conference on Thursday.
 
Her remarks: 

“For over 102 years, the League of Women Voters has fought for the vote. All people should be able to vote in our elections – free from attempts to intimidate voters when registering to vote or accessing their ballot, free from efforts to intimidate election officials when they administer the election or when they determine the results.

Voting is the cornerstone of a democratic system of government. Citizen participation in elections by voting ensures the legitimacy of a democratic government and protects our way of life and our communities. Those who work to intimidate voters or election officials seek to attack and destroy our democracy.

It is time to acknowledge that this threat exists in North Carolina. We have seen it. We need to act now to protect free and fair elections. The League of Women Voters asks all legislators to support SB 916, Safeguarding Fair Elections. The provisions contained in this bill will reinforce the commitment of North Carolina to the protection of democracy and to encourage all citizens to vote.”

You can read more about the Safeguarding Fair Elections Act via this WRAL article by Melissa Price Kromm, director of North Carolina Voters for Clean Elections. This bill would make it a crime to intimidate, threaten or engage in violence against election officials, and it would help protect voters from coercion before or on Election Day. It would also hold state officials accountable to ensure they respect the will of the people.
 
Please contact your representatives in the NC House and NC Senate – ask them to support the Safeguarding Fair Elections Act. Let them know – protecting free and fair elections in our state is of utmost importance! This is urgent, as their session ends this week. Don't delay. 
 
Enter your address on this Find Your Legislator page and then click through to view contact information for your representatives in Raleigh.