Virginia Organizing Calls on Governor and General Assembly to Support Voting Rights and Oppose Voter ID Laws

MARTINSVILLE– On Tuesday, February 21 from 12:00 noon-1:00 p.m., Martinsville residents will speak out against bills moving through General Assembly that threaten voting rights and waste tax dollars.

What:Protect Virginia’s Vote Demonstration

Who:Virginia Organizing

When:Tuesday, February 21, 12:00 noon-1:00 p.m.

Where:(In front of) Municipal Building, 55 West Church St., Martinsville, VA

The House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate have each passed differing versions of a bill that would require a voter to present identification or cast a provisional ballot, reducing the likelihood of their vote counting.  According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, in 2010 nearly 60 percent of provisional ballots cast were not counted. While either chamber will tweak the bills in the coming weeks, it’s clear Governor Bob McDonnell will have a voter suppression bill on his desk to sign.

Virginia Organizing will stand in protest of the voter suppression bills on Tuesday and call on the General Assembly and the Governor to oppose the bills.  It is estimated that 500,000 Virginians lack the proper voter ID and could be kept from voting if these laws are passed. These bills will disproportionately affect cities like Martinsville with a high percentage of seniors, minorities and low-income Virginians who may not have the required identification.