The Importance of Voting
Voting is crucial for a healthy democracy, but unfortunately, not enough people participate. This leads to gaps in representation and widening wealth disparities. Imagine how different our world would be if everyone participated in the democratic process. One major reason for low voter turnout is lack of information and outreach, especially in communities served by nonprofits. However, we can make a difference by encouraging civic participation and educating families about the importance of voting.
Threats to Voting
At the National Level:
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ID Requirements: States such as GA, IN, KS, MS, TN, VA, and WI mandate photo identification for voting. Meanwhile, AZ, ND, and OH have strict ID requirements that may not necessitate a photo.
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ID Requirements (Broader): In AK, AL, FL, HI, ID, LA, MI, RI, SD, TX, CO, CT, DE, IA, KY, MO, MT, NH, NC, OK, SC, UT, WA, and WV, voters are required to present some form of ID at the polls.
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Election Day Registration: While 21 states and D.C. offer same-day registration, states like MA impose early registration cutoffs, disenfranchising many potential voters.
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Voter Purges: Significant voter list purges have occurred, with over 10% of registrations removed in Georgia and North Carolina between 2016 and 2018, and more than 7% in Florida. Alabama saw 658,000 voters purged since 2015, a substantial number given its 3.3 million registered voters in 2016.
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Impact on Students: In states like New Hampshire, Texas, Florida, and Michigan, election policies have made it particularly challenging for young voters, including students, to participate in elections.
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Find out more about voting protections and issues at the national level at Brennan Center for Justice.
Voting Resources for Massachusetts Residents
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Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth - Elections Division: The official website of the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth offers comprehensive information on elections, voter registration, polling places, and more.
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Massachusetts Voter Information: This website provides information on voter registration, absentee voting, early voting, polling place locations, and election results.
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Massachusetts Voter Registration Information: This site allows you to check your voter registration status, update your registration, and find information on absentee and early voting.
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VoteSmart Massachusetts: VoteSmart offers a range of voter resources including candidate profiles, voting records, election information, and more.
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Ballotpedia - Massachusetts: Ballotpedia provides information on elections, candidates, ballot measures, and more at the state and local levels in Massachusetts
Stay up to date on Massachusetts voting and election news and updates.