The Faces of Voter Suppression Become the Voices of Voter Empowerment at “Let Me Vote”
The Faces of Voter Suppression Become the Voices of Voter Empowerment at “Let Me Vote” ACLU of Florida to launch new campaign for empowering voters with stories from impacted Floridians
CONTACT: ACLU of Florida Media Office, (786) 363 – 2737 media@aclufl.org
MIAMI – On September 12, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida and partner organizations will host a coalition of individuals impacted by restrictive voting regulations in Florida sharing their stories about combating disenfranchisement and informing voters about their rights at “Let Me Vote: The Faces of Voter Suppression Become the Voices of Voter Empowerment.”
The event marks the launch of the ACLU of Florida’s “Let Me Vote” campaign, part of a nationwide ACLU program of the same name aiming to get accessible, accurate information on registration and voting into the hands of America’s most vulnerable voters.
In 2011, Florida made significant changes to its voting laws. These changes address how civic groups register people to vote, who is eligible to vote, and when people can vote.
Additional voting barriers in Florida include a law requiring photo ID for voters and the state’s lifetime disenfranchisement upon conviction of a felony.
Every Floridian needs to understand how these changes may impact them, particularly African Americans, Hispanics, and young voters, all of whom are disproportionately impacted by the voting rule changes and restrictions.
At the event, individuals impacted by voting restrictions in Florida will tell personal stories of how they were empowered to overcome these barriers and help themselves or others exercise their most fundamental right in our democracy, the right to vote. This will also be the public debut “Let Me Vote” resources developed by the ACLU for Florida voters.
Let Me Vote: The Faces of Voter Suppression Become the Voices of Voter Empowerment Wednesday, September 12, 2012 11:00AM – 12:00PM Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus 415 NE 2nd Avenue, Room 6100 Miami, FL 33132 Scheduled speakers at the event include:
* An individual who successfully worked to restore their voting and civil rights and now assists others.
* Members of civic groups who successfully challenged restrictions on third-party voter registrations.
* A new American citizen who is registering to vote for the first time.
Groups expected to participate include Florida Immigrant Coalition, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, the League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade County, National Council of La Raza, and SAVE Dade. Biographical information about the speakers will be provided, along with other voting rights materials from coalition partners. Speakers and representatives from partner groups will have press availability for one-on-one interviews after the presentation. Refreshments will be served. # # #
About the ACLU of Florida The ACLU of Florida is freedom’s watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For additional information, visit our web site at: www.aclufl.org
