As 2012 comes to a close, our sincere thanks go out to those who have given so generously to Project Vote this year: your time, your interest and energy, your financial support.
This year, from 30 states across the nation, Project Vote’s donors made gifts to support increased voter participation and fair voting rights—in your home states, and for your fellow Americans across state lines. We are humbled, knowing we cannot achieve our goals without you—and we are grateful for your continued support.
In 2012, we witnessed the rights of the American voter volleyed about on the partisan playing field. The ideals of our democracy were hamstrung by waves of prohibitive voter ID requirements, restrictions on voter registration drives, and shrunken early voting periods.
Thankfully, we also witnessed an American voter who refused to sit idly by on the sidelines. Despite suppressive and confusing laws, Americans registered, waited in line, and did what they needed to do to exercise their right to vote.
But we cannot rest on our laurels.
We must remember the long lines, the prohibitive voter ID measures, the curtailed early voting, and egregious voter purges. Because they will happen again.
We played a good defense in 2011-2012, but now is it’s time for offense. In 2013, progressives across the country will pursue a pro-voter agenda to achieve fair voting rights and increase civic participation in 2013 and the years ahead. You can help.
In Florida, lawmakers are pursuing legislation that would extend early voting periods and ease restrictions on voter registration groups; early voting is being proposed in New Jersey; and lawmakers in Virginia are seeking to expand access to absentee voting and restore voting rights for ex-felons.
Project Vote is pleased to see state leaders move toward better access for all American voters. In 2013 and the years ahead, Project Vote will join this move toward increased voter access by:
- Supporting efforts to pass same day registration; vote by mail; early voting; permanent, portable registration; and online voter registration to empower and protect more American voters;
- Filing suit to achieve fairer access to our election systems, stop illegal and discriminatory voter roll purges, and protect the right to run voter registration campaigns;
- Pushing an affirmative, pro-voter media campaign around voting rights issues and the potential to reform our state and federal election laws;
- Evaluating and improving upon our voter participation programs;
- Pursuing full compliance with the National Voter Registration Act; and
- Working to empower politically marginalized communities.
With five words President Obama set a new goal for American democracy: “We have to fix that.”
With your support, we have an opportunity to “fix that” and achieve real justice for all American voters.
Please, help us build better election systems. Help us make democracy work for everyone.
Thank you, again, for all you did in 2012. We are grateful for your support, and we look forward to work ahead.
Happy holidays to you and yours. We wish you all the best in 2013.