PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE:
SUPPORT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT

Click here to download a flyer from Democracy North Carolina with information on the Voting Rights Act.

BACKGROUND:

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is one of the most significant pieces of civil rights legislation ever passed in the U.S. Now, parts of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) are up for renewal or “reauthorization” by the U.S. Congress. For example, under Section 5 of the VRA, any change in election procedures affecting 40 counties in N.C. (including statewide changes) must be “pre-cleared” by the U.S. Justice Department or federal courts to make sure they do not discrimination against minorities or dilute their voting strength. This pre-clearance provision of the VRA is one of the key parts that must be renewed or it will expire in 2007.

By taking action, you can protect the Voting Rights Act and ensure all citizens’ right to vote now and in the future.

The UNC Center for Civil Rights, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, NAACP of N.C., and Democracy North Carolina are holding hearings across the state to investigate recent examples of discrimination against minority voters in North Carolina and what can be done to protect voting rights.

You Can Testify - Make the Case for a Strong Voting Rights Act:

The UNC Center for Civil Rights needs your testimony!

If you have any information regarding any attempt to discriminate against minority voting rights in North Carolina, since 1982, please contact Anita Earls, Attorney (earls@email.unc.edu, 919-843-7896) or Torrey Dixon, Fellow (tddixon@email.unc.edu, 919-843-8197).

Some examples of minority voting discrimination include the following:

• unnecessary difficulties or obstacles in registering to vote or voting
• illogical placement and reassignments of voting locations
• use of racial appeals in campaigns
• unusual threats of voter fraud prosecutions
• videotaping at polling places or other threats of retaliation for voting
• unjustified presence of law enforcement officers at voting sites
• arbitrary municipal annexations, candidate residency requirements, or
at-large elections that unfairly limit minority voters from electing
representatives

Resources & Links: There are many organizations working hard to defend and strengthen the Voting Rights Act during the reauthorization process. Here are just a few websites with good Voting Rights Act information:

Leadership Conference on Civil Rights: www.renewthevra.org
American Civil Liberties Union: www.votingrights.org
NAACP Legal Defense Fund: www.naacpldf.org/landing.aspx?sub=32
League of United Latin American Citizens: www.lulac.org/advocacy/policy/votingrightsact.html