Our Freedom is on the Ballot

This midterm election, help us demand the just democracy we deserve by voting for the policies and politicians that will protect and expand voter access in Black communities.

Pressing national and local issues remain at the forefront of our conversations – from the end of Roe v Wade to ongoing voter suppression tactics to major water crises – and we know these challenges have particular ramifications for Black voters and our families.

Knowing our power and our influence on these issues, right-wing leaders have created a racially charged environment of fear around the most fundamental right of voting. But we will not allow this culture of fear, intimidation and frustration hinder us from showing up and turning out.

White supremacy works hard to prevent our people from engaging and participating in the systems that shape this country’s future. They seek to exclude us and limit our power through disenfranchisement laws, purging voter rolls, shutting down polling places in our communities, intimidation, and more. It can feel overwhelming, dehumanizing, and exhausting.

But the truth is they would not work this hard to suppress our people’s voices unless they were sure that the power we hold when we come together would destroy their systems of oppression. And they’re right. The power that Black people and all oppressed people in this country have when we unite to fight for the freedom and future we deserve knows no bounds. We can accomplish anything together.

Young voters are heading to the polls because their votes will make a difference!

So many of our loved ones who have been systematically disenfranchised by the carceral state can’t vote to change the systems that harm them. This is why it’s essential for those who can vote to do so and advocate for incarcerated people’s voting rights to be restored.

We are fighting to expand voter access in Black communities by working for:

• Nationwide automatic voter registration: This would ensure that every citizen is added to the voter rolls without ever having to jump through hoops to register.
• Ending disenfranchisement of those charged with a felony: Due to the over-policing and over-sentencing of the Black community in the U.S., 1 in 16 Black people of voting age are disenfranchised. No one should ever be stripped of the right to vote.

Our people continue to fight every day for all Black people in the U.S. to have the right to vote. A just democracy that genuinely desires the participation of the people would expand access and make it as simple as possible to vote.

Text VOTE to 90975 to find out your polling location for Tuesday’s election! To check your registration status, learn what’s on your ballot, and more, check out the Voting Toolkit from Black Voters Matter.

Vote for those who will represent us and our needs. Refer to this sample ballot showing all Democrats running for office in Buncombe County, www.buncombedems.org/s/BCDP_SampleBallot.pdf.

Get out and vote!