FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2019
Contact: Elana Needle: eneedle@unidosus.org | 201-248-9724
WeVoteWeCount’s Racial Equity Anchor Collaborative Statement on the Sixth Anniversary of Shelby County V. Holder
Washington D.C. – On the sixth anniversary of the 5-4 Shelby County v. Holder Supreme Court decision that allowed states to institute restrictive voting policies that disproportionately affect communities of color, the Racial Equity Anchor Collaborative, released the following statement:
“Communities of color have faced a longstanding history of voter disenfranchisement and racially discriminatory laws that limit access to voting, and since the devastating Shelby County v. Holder decision six years ago, the situation has worsened dramatically. But we CAN fight back; our voices matter. On today’s anniversary, we encourage voters from all walks of life who have faced barriers to voting to visit WeVoteWeCount.org to share their story. WeVoteWeCount.org was designed to amplify our stories and shed a light on discriminatory voting practices across the country. Together, our voices will collectively spark change ahead of the 2020 election, so every voice – and every vote – is heard and counted.”
Restrictive voting measures established in states across the country after the Shelby County v. Holder decision unfairly target and affect communities of color, impeding their abilities to register, vote, and have an impact on national and local issues. WeVoteWeCount.org gives voters a chance to share those experiences in writing, by submitting an audio recording, or by uploading a photo or short video. Stories are published on the site, and will be compiled into a comprehensive report that will be released to the public.
To submit a story or learn more about this critical voting rights effort, please visit WeVoteWeCount.org.
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About WeVoteWeCount.org
WeVoteWeCount.org is a digital platform designed to give voters a place to share stories of interference at the polls, difficulties registering to vote, and other barriers to voting. Communities of color have faced a longstanding history of racially discriminatory laws that limit access to voting; WeVoteWeCount.org will shed light on these unfair practices and spark change ahead of the 2020 presidential election and 2020 census so that every voice is heard—and counted. WeVoteWeCount.org is an initiative launched by the Racial Equity Anchor Collaborative: Advancement Project, Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Demos, Faith In Action, NAACP, National Congress of American Indians, National Urban League, Race Forward and UnidosUS.
About Racial Equity Anchor Collaborative
Advancement Project National Office, 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 (the Anchors) 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 have opportunities to reach their full potential.
