I hope y’all are hungry because Virginia’s GOP is serving up a buffet of ridiculousness. We knew this session would be different – and difficult – without a trusted Democratic trifecta to lead the Commonwealth. So when it comes to the nonsense some GOP legislators are trying to push through the General Assembly, you can color us shocked, but NOT surprised.
Elections / Voting Rights
Virginia Absentee Voting Deadlines Approaching for Fall 2021 Election
Last year, absentee turnout in Virginia for the November 2020 General Election hit record numbers. In addition to no-excuse early voting, the General Assembly passed legislation to create drop boxes for absentee ballots at local election offices, fund prepaid return postage for people voting by mail, and remove the necessity of a witness signature.
We Define Our Communities, Not Politicians
Every 10 years, Americans participate in the U.S. Census. (You filled out your census form last year, right?) The information from the Census is then used in conjunction with input from communities to draw political maps. Those maps then determine what district we live in, who represents us, and how they will allocate resources for […]
You’re Going to Vote? What, Like, It’s Hard?
When a past situationship told me he didn’t vote, I couldn’t ignore it. I literally COULD NOT stop thinking about it. Like a true Capricorn, I pressed on to find out why. Then he uttered the words that I’ve heard dozens of people say but never fully understood. He said he didn’t believe in voting […]
First Read: Voting for More than Just Candidates in this Primary
With the Democratic primary this week, we’re all thinking about the importance of the right to vote. Regardless of which Democratic candidate is elected, they will stand up for voters, especially voters of color, who are most often targeted for disenfranchisement. No matter our race, background, or zip code, most of us believe that for […]
ICYMI: Virginia Leads the Way for Voting Rights Expansion
Richmond, Virginia—The enormous gains made around the expansion of voting rights in Virginia serve as an example for other states to follow as Republicans across the country push for new restrictions to disenfranchise voters, especially voters in Black and Brown communities. The Virginia Voting Rights Act enshrined voting rights into state law, requiring prior notification […]
Voting Rights Act of Virginia Passes House
Richmond, Virginia—Progress Virginia today celebrated house passage of the Voting Rights Act of Virginia. HB1890, sponsored by Delegate Marcia Price, would be the first state Voting Rights Act passed in the South to ensure everyone is able to make their voice heard in our democracy.. “We’re thrilled that members of the House of Delegates kicked […]
Laws That Make Voting Easier Benefit All of Virginia
In the November elections, we broke voting records in part because of temporary measures passed in response to the pandemic. Through the establishment of secure drop boxes and satellite locations, the provision of pre-paid postage to return absentee ballots, and the elimination of the witness signature requirement, we were free to choose the voting method […]
Take It from This Guy: Voting Can Make You Feel “Happy, Joyous and Free”
Although Bobby Lee was 60 years old when he cast his first votein 2016, his age didn’t keep him from feeling like a kid again. “The first time voting, I felt like I was 18,” he said about his visit to the polls. “Happy, joyous, and free.” “I think it’s very, very important to take […]