Wednesday on Capitol Hill: ‘Blocked From Voting’ Action
Organizations Protest Lack of Federal Funding for Election Safety in Senate Coronavirus Relief Bill as Anniversary of Voting Rights Act Nears
WHAT: As the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act approaches, local artists along with Declaration for American Democracy, Center for Popular Democracy Action and Public Citizen will install several life-sized, interactive mock voting booths around Washington, D.C. to draw attention to the U.S. Senate’s failure to allocate funding for safe elections in its current coronavirus relief bill.
The mock voting booths have a “CLOSED” sign in the front, and instead of an “I Voted” sticker, participants will receive a sticker that says, “Senate Republicans Suppressed My Vote.” Booths will be set up at other locations throughout D.C., and participants will be asked to post photos using the hashtag #ProtectOurVote. Please follow @DFADCoalition, @CPDAction and @Public_Citizen on Twitter for updates Wednesday morning.
Join Jana Morgan, director of Declaration for American Democracy, at the U.S. House Triangle at 9 a.m. EST. In numerous primaries this year, voters have been disenfranchised because of long lines, broken voting machines and polling place closures – making clear the need for additional resources from Congress.
WHO: Declaration for American Democracy
Center for Popular Democracy Action
Public Citizen
WHEN: 9-10 a.m. EST, Wednesday, Aug. 5
WHERE: U.S. House Triangle, New Jersey Ave. SE & Southeast Dr.
QUOTES:
“In May, the U.S. House passed the Heroes Act, which provided $3.6 billion in funding to expand mail-in and early voting and provided resources to make in-person voting safe during the pandemic. We need the same sort of commitment to democracy from the Senate. The disastrous primaries in Wisconsin and Georgia serve as a stark warning. Failure to secure our elections risks disenfranchising America’s voters. No one should have to choose between their health and their vote.”
- Jana Morgan, director, Declaration for American Democracy
“The health of our democracy is essential for the health of our nation. Senate Republicans should not continue to stand in the way of the funding that experts have deemed necessary to ensure our elections proceed smoothly this year. This small investment for the well-being of our nation is worth it.”
- Jonah Minkoff-Zern, co-director, Public Citizen’s Democracy Is For People Campaign
“Black and Latinx communities have historically faced barriers to cast their ballot, and they have also been hit the hardest during this pandemic. When Mitch McConnel and Republicans in the Senate refuse to allocate money for elections, it is pretty clear what they intend. We need safe, accessible voting options, not a headline of unprecedented levels of voter suppression across the country. The government has a responsibility to make sure every person can exercise their constitutional right come November.”
- Jennifer Epps Addison, co-executive director, Center for Popular Democracy