FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : May 14, 2019
CONTACT Jeralyn Cave, Advancement Project National Office
jcave@advancementproject.org, (412) 682-0798
Erin Williams, Faith in Action
ewilliams@faithinaction.org, (202) 544-8411, ext. 108
Statewide Hearings to Focus on Challenges Faced by Voters During 2016 & 2018 Elections
MIAMI —In the month of May, Advancement Project National Office and Faith in Florida, a federation of Faith in Action, will host a series of “People’s Hearing on Florida Voting Rights.” The series of statewide convenings aims to uplift challenges faced by Florida voters in casting a ballot during the 2016 and 2018 elections, complimenting Congressional hearings hosted by the U.S. Committee on House Administration. The hearings will also shed light on unfair and racially discriminatory practices in Florida that make it harder for communities of color to exercise their fundamental right to vote.
The People’s Hearing on Florida Voting Rights comes as part of a national effort to spark wider voter protection policies and practices after the weakening of the federal Voting Rights Act in 2013. Reports of malfunctioning equipment, long lines and language access challenges plagued Florida elections during the 2018 election, especially in Black and Brown communities. During the hearings, Florida voters will share their experiences and discuss why federal oversight is still needed. Stories shared at the hearings will be showcased on the digital platform WeVoteWeCount.org and in the upcoming report produced by the W.K. Kellogg Racial Equity Anchor Collaborative, a collaborative of national organizations working to work to promote racial equity and advance racial healing. Both Advancement Project National Office and Faith in Action are members of the Collaborative.
All hearings will be livestreamed. Media should RSVP to Jeralyn Cave via email at jcave@advancementproject.org.
What: People’s Hearing on Florida Voting Rights
Who: Advancement Project National Office
Faith in Florida (Faith in Action Federation)
New Florida Majority
International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1526
When: Various Dates (see below).
May 17, 6:30 p.m. – Iglesia Jesus de Nazareth – 26 Willow Dr, Orlando, FL 32807
May 23, 6:30 p.m. – Longshoremen’s Union Hall – 440 NW 6th St, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311
*Additional dates in May will be announced at a later date.
Webcast link: Advancement Project National Office Facebook Page
RSVP: jcave@advancementproject.org
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The Advancement Project, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Demos, Faith In Action, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Congress of American Indians, National Urban League, Race Forward, and UnidosUS are a collaborative of nine leading national racial equity anchor organizations supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Together, we work to promote racial equity, advance racial healing, and ensure that all children, families, and communities — no matter the color of their skin — have genuine opportunities to reach their full potential.
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Faith in Action, formerly known as PICO National Network, is the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States. The nonpartisan organization works with 1,000 religious congregations in more than 200 cities and towns through its 46 local and state federations. For more information, visit www.faithinaction.org.
Faith in Action is a 501c(3). Faith in Action and its affiliates are non-partisan and are not aligned explicitly or implicitly with any candidate or party. We do not endorse or support candidates for office.
