By Wendi Taylor, PA Chapter Chair
Why should the Sierra Club care about Pennsylvania’s Voter ID law?
The Sierra Club relies
on a fair political system in order to protect the environment. Suppressing
the votes of young people, Latinos and African Americans directly affects our
ability to protect the environment because these are the same people who are
most likely to vote for candidates who support efforts to combat pollution and
climate disruption… and candidates that support clean, renewable energy sources
and the good jobs they create.
Further, the rash of
Voter ID laws can be traced directly to the American Legislative Exchange
Council (ALEC), and the many business interests that supports them, including
some of the most polluting industries in the world. They know that shrinking
the vote will expand their ability to run our state legislature. Our elections
should not be based on who can give the most money
Some people ask: Why is
the voter ID law a big deal?” After all, we have to show our ID all the time
--to apply for a library card, to cash a check or to get a driver’s license.
However, those aren’t rights, they’re privileges. Voting is a right – a
constitutionally guaranteed right.
When our state
legislature deliberately -- and without cause -- throws obstacles in the way of
a person’s right to vote, that’s wrong. And any law that is enacted which
discriminates against certain people, that’s wrong.
The
Sierra Club should always protect access to the ballot box.
The labor
movement and the civil rights movement has taught us that if all stand
together, we can win! Together, we must make sure that every citizen has the
ability to vote. One person, one vote; That’s the American way!
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