This week marks the 55th anniversary of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965. To say that people died to end racial discrimination in voting is an understatement. Every life loss, every beating, every imprisonment, every loss of dignity was a step towards leveling the political playing field.
Fifty-five years later however, voter suppression continues to be a hot topic and closely watched issue. Let’s all do our part to make sure that all who can vote, do vote.
As Martin Luther King said, “The time is always right to do what is right. The right thing to do now is to honor those who sacrificed so that everyone can vote. Here are five ways to make it happen:
1. Check your voter registration status at https://www.vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote/.
2. If you are not registered, sign up online at https://vote.gov.
3. Once you confirm you are a registered voter, find out what kind of identification your state requires at https://www.usa.gov/voter-id.
4. Get informed. Keep up with current news reports and study the candidates who will be on your ballot. Know your options.
5. On Election Day, go vote. You may be one of millions, but every vote counts.
-Sojourner Justice
