As GOP restricts voting, Democrats move to expand access

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Last year, for the first time in more than a quarter-century, Democrats in Virginia took control of the statehouse and the governor's mansion. Since then, one priority has become clear: expanding voting rights.

Once home to the capital of the Confederacy, Virginia has made Election Day a state holiday, repealed a voter identification law and allowed no-excuse absentee voting. Earlier this year, Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam approved a sweeping voting rights act, reinstating election rules once required by federal law to prevent racial discrimination.

Other Democratic states also are acting to remove restrictions to the ballot — in marked contrast to many Republican-controlled states that are moving in the opposite direction. Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Iowa have already passed restrictive voting laws; Ohio and Texas are considering their own.

“It was kind of surreal to know that we had the power to change something in 2021 that we had been working on for my entire lifetime,” said Del. Marcia Price, a Virginia Democrat who sponsored the Voting Rights Act of Virginia. “I think the contrast is becoming so clear of what democracy looks like and what impeding democracy looks like.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/as-gop-restricts-voting-democrats-move-to-expand-access/ar-BB1gNdpI

[jimfields33]

1. About time democratic state house majority make laws to help voters

What’s the point in having a state majority if you don’t pass helpful laws for voting. Republicans do this in their majority statehouses although unhelpful. They are using their majority. Democratic statehouses should as well. Glad to hear this.