Protecting Our Fundamental Right to Vote -- August 31, 2012
September 4, 2012
Dear Friend:
Thank you for reading another edition of my e-newsletter, the Carson Courier. For additional information on these and other topics, please visit my website at https://www.carson.house.gov.
In this week's Carson Courier:
- Protecting Our Fundamental Right to Vote
- Now Accepting Applications for U.S. Service Academy Nominations
Protecting Our Fundamental Right to Vote
A federal court this week struck down a controversial Texas voter ID law, citing the bill's "strict, unforgiving burdens on the poor" and its expected impact on minority voters. While the court's decision is welcome news, similar laws have already been enacted all over the country, disproportionately affecting not only minorities, but elderly voters as well.
The right to vote is one of America's most honored protections, and it has been codified since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act in 1965. While the tactics used to disenfranchise Americans have changed, our country unfortunately continues to witness attempts to curtail voter participation. Masked under the veil of preventing "voter fraud," many election law experts believe that these state voter identification laws could effectively prevent hundreds of thousands of Americans, particularly the elderly and less fortunate, from voting.
The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy, and that right must be protected. That is why I joined with my fellow House Democrats in introducing the Voter Empowerment Act this summer, which would modernize voter registration, ensure equal access to the ballot box for all Americans, and prohibit deceptive practices that keep people from exercising their constitutional right to vote. I encourage House Republicans to work with us, and bring the Voter Empowerment Act to the House Floor for a vote.
To learn more about how to register to vote, click here.
Now Accepting Applications for U.S. Service Academy Nominations
Each year, I have the privilege to nominate exceptional young men and women to our nation's prestigious service academies – the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. For those young men and women who feel called to serve, the United States service academies provide an unparalleled opportunity to develop as leaders and give back to our country. I encourage all interested students to visit my website and learn about the academy nomination process.
Thank you for reading theCarson Courier. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. For more information, visit my website at https://www.carson.house.gov, my Congressional Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CongressmanAndreCarson and follow me on Twitter@RepAndreCarson. I value your views and your input, which help me better represent the people of Indiana's 7th District.
Sincerely,
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André Carson
Member of Congress