FIGHTING FOR OUR RIGHT TO VOTE
The Equal and inalienable right to vote is the bedrock of our democracy and it is one of the things that has made this country so great. We should want to ensure the inclusion of all Americans in our political system and secure their right to vote; however, there are unfortunately those in the capitol who disagree and seek to only disenfranchise and deny millions their just rights. Ever since the Supreme Court allowed for the removal of key provisions of the Voting Rights Act in 2013, radical politicians across the country have succeeded in gutting our democracy by passing laws making it harder for those who disagree with them to vote, systemically disenfranchising millions of voters—particularly people of color, poor people, and young people. In Austin, career politicians like my opponent have worked to stay in power and used their positions to help ensure that they win easier elections. The undemocratic principle of representatives choosing their voters has replaced the democratic one of voters choosing their representatives vis-à-vis gerrymandering, voter ID laws, and other harmful legislation like HB 1888. HB 1888 denies college students and rural voters the right to access the voting booth.
During a time of intense crises like climate change, gun violence, mass migration, and crumbling infrastructure the last thing that we should be doing is closing silencing people’s voices and limiting the conversations from which we can solve them. We must fight back against harmful restrictions on voting rights, so that minority voters, young voters, low-income voters, seniors, and women are equally capable as others at expressing their voices and their votes in our democracy. I believe we need to restore the Voting Rights Act and do everything we can to make it easier—not harder—for Texas to vote. I also believe in restoring the voting rights to formerly incarcerated persons that are still “on-paper”, meaning parole or probation. This is why I am making the defense of democracy and voting rights a vital part of my campaign.
If elected, I will fight to strengthen the integrity of our elections from outside interference and fraud. Having grown up in the Coastal Bend, I know I have planted my roots in the most beautiful and important part of Texas. I am going to fight for our communities, tooth and nail, making sure each and every Texan can hold elected officials accountable for their actions and have the right to vote. Texas shouldn't be placing barriers on voting. I have a plan to propose legislation that will register every citizen automatically to vote when they turn 18, unless they chose not to be. Furthermore, I suggest we progress our democracy into the 21st century and fully integrate technology into it; allowing for online voter registration and accurate voter rolls.
In my heart, I know despite the rhetoric, punditry, and lies coming from some in Austin we all love this great state and believe that all Texans, no matter where they reside, should have the right to vote. No matter if they’re in the valley or in the panhandle, along the gulf or in the hill country, we are all Texans, and should all be able to vote like it—in Texas size numbers.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/01/19/us/ap-us-election-2020-voting.html
https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/texas-back-in-voting-rights-hot-water-11839532