The struggle for full suffrage is fundamental to the African-American struggle in this country and to this country’s claim to functioning democracy. As an African-American, and as a citizen, I am against all attempts, explicitly and otherwise, to downsize the electorate and reduce access to the ballot. I say this when I return to Georgia, a state that has a special place in my heart. I lived in Atlanta for eight months while filming my last movie. I have long looked forward to returning. When I was informed of the course of SB202 in the state and its consequences for the voters of the state, I was deeply disappointed.
While I wanted to turn my concern into action, I could not do so without first taking note of the details of Georgia. After talking to voting rights activists in the state now, I realized that many people in my film, including all the local vendors and businesses we involve, are the same people who will carry the bulk of SB202. For these reasons, I will not boycott Georgia. What I’m going to do is use my voice to highlight the effects of SB202, its shameful roots in Jim Crow, and to do everything in my power to support organizations that fight oppression of voters here in the state.
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Senate Bill 202 will:
- Shorten the period for requesting the reconciliation of the absentee
- Shorten the deadline for the absence of the absence
- Prohibit provisional voting outside the area except 17:00 to 19:00 on election day
- Add additional ID requirements to vote by mail (photocopy of ID for those without state ID / driver licenses)
- Ban mobile voices
- Shorten the expiration period
- Prohibit private funding for election administration
- Set a date of birth on the ballot papers
- Criminalize the distribution of water / snacks to voters in line
- Add new restrictions on voting booth extensions
- Limit the number of subjects and hours available for their use
- Transfer massive electoral authorities to the Republicans of the state, including control of the state electoral council and the ability to remove provincial election officials who do not make their bid.
The US House passed HR 1, the For the People Act. This key legislation will make critical reforms to voting rights. The Senate must now do its job by passing S. 1.
HR 1 will expand voting access by:
- Aim for obstacles, such as cumbersome registration systems and limited voting walls
- Creating automatic voter registration across the country
- To ensure that individuals who have completed criminal convictions restore their full rights
- Expansion of votes by post and early voting
HR 1 fights back against Republican assault on voting rights by:
- Congress Commits to Restoring Voting Rights Act
- Prohibition of voter cleansing as in Georgia and elsewhere and
- To ensure that discriminatory voter ID laws do not prevent Americans from exercising their rights.
HR 1 also ends partisan driving to stop politicians from electing their voters.
The People’s Act is extensively supported for its provisions to:
- Reduce the role of big money in politics
- Strengthen ethical laws
- Empower voters and expand access to the franchise
- Illegal voters pure,
- Restores the Voting Rights Act and
- Protect our right to free, fair and secure elections.
The Promotion of Voting Rights Act on John Lewis will bring back pre-approval that is needed more than ever before.
Our film stays in Georgia. In addition, I have made a personal commitment to raise awareness about ways to stop this harmful bill, and to continue educating people in the field. I would encourage everyone to work with the local community that is directly affected by Senate Bill 202 and harness their influence and resources to help fight this specific and essential pillar of democracy.
I will also donate to Fair Fight Action. You can do the same at http://www.stopjimcrow2.com