Last week we shared the names of several organizations that are working to ensure that every eligible American can register to vote and vote. Why do these organizations have to exist at all? Will the candidates you vote for preserve and protect the fundamental right to vote guaranteed to every American citizen?

Voting:  Federal Perspective.
Many US citizens have been denied the right to vote, either expressly or by discriminatory procedures. Women were first allowed to vote only 100 years ago, with the ratification of the 19th Amendment on August 18, 1920. The critical civil rights law known as the Voting Rights Act was signed into law just 55 years ago, by President Lyndon B. Johnson, on August 6, 1965. This law allowed the Federal government to dismantle discriminatory voting practices imposed by states, such as literacy tests and poll taxes, that made it difficult or impossible for African Americans to vote. But this law was significantly weakened In 2013 by the Supreme Court in Shelby County v Holder, which has led to more restrictive voting laws in at least 7 states. Georgetown Law.

A few weeks ago, the nation mourned the passing of a civil rights icon, Congressman John Lewis. Mr. Lewis marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr., was beaten in Selma, Alabama in the first march for voting rights and fought to expand voting access throughout his Congressional career. In a New York Times Op-Ed published posthumously, Mr. Lewis renewed his call for activism. nytimes.com/2020/07/30/opinion/john-lewis-civil-rights-america

In December 2019, Congress passed legislation to restore the Voting Rights Act. CD-2 Representative Neguse voted for its passage, CD-3 Representative Tipton voted against its passage. clerk.house.gov/Votes/2019654. The Senate did not take up the bill. To honor Mr. Lewis, 48 Senators (including Sen. Bennet but not including Sen. Gardner) introduced in July a bipartisan bill to restore the Voting Rights Act and to name it after Mr. Lewis.
motherjones.com/politics/2020/07/senators-just-introduced-a-bill-to-restore-the-voting-rights-act-its-named-after-john-lewis
And at Mr. Lewis’s funeral, President Obama called on Congress to restore the Voting Rights Act and to take additional steps to expand access to the ballot for all Americans.
nytimes.com/2020/07/30/us/obama-eulogy-john-lewis-full-transcript
Last Thursday, Sen. Mitch McConnell adjourned the Senate until September 8th without considering this important Federal voting rights legislation.

Voting:  Colorado’s Vote-By-Mail 
In 2013 Colorado adopted a vote-by-mail system for its elections. While Covid-19 continues to cause other state’s to rethink their election procedures, Coloradans have a system that promotes safety and participation and is viewed by election officials as a leader in election security.
washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-cybersecurity-202/2018/05/10/the-cybersecurity-202-how-colorado-became-the-safest-state-to-cast-a-vote This was all proven in the most recent Colorado Primary, which was, according to Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, “an overwhelming success”. sos.state.co.us/pubs/newsRoom/pressReleases/2020/PR20200701VoteByMail

In upcoming emails, we will share many of the details and upcoming deadlines for voting by mail in Eagle County. As soon as possible, take five minutes at GoVoteColorado.Gov and check the accuracy of your residential and mailing addresses. Ballots cannot be forwarded by law, so it is critical that your mailing address is current. 

Are your friends and relatives registered Colorado voters?  Please encourage all of your friends and relatives to check the accuracy of their residential and mailing addresses as soon as possible.   

Voting Questions? Contact the Eagle County Clerk and Recorder’s office at 970-328-8715 or email at elections@eaglecounty.us.

We always welcome your questions or thoughts – email us at vailvalleyvotes@gmail.com.

Vail Valley Votes