The Election Protection coalition is a non-profit, non-partisan group that works year-round to ensure that voters have a voice by making sure their vote counts. Attorney Harold Franklin joins us to speak about their work with the 2024 election.
I’ve heard the words Election Protection for so long that I forgot it was an actual organization with people doing the real work in our communities around the country. I asked Franklin about the organization and shared how it was an outgrowth of a Lawyers Committee that began during the Kennedy administration in 1963.
Our state is known as the Voter Suppression State, and SB202 passed after the “Big Lie” was adopted. Franklin speaks about the changes in procedure regulating voting, the limitations on absentee ballots, and drop boxes, which impact access by seniors and those with mobility challenges. Franklin speaks about the volunteers they will have in the field and encourages any voter who experiences a challenge to reach out to them at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.
I asked Franklin about people with disabilities having the ability to vote, often with assistance from family or poll workers. He shares that every polling location should have a machine for those who are visually and or hearing impaired. He says that the Georgia Advocacy Office can assist disabled citizens to ensure they can vote.
Franklin speaks about the prior generations that paid with blood, sweat, and tears so that we have the opportunity to vote. Historically our country has attempted to prevent certain populations from voting and for democracy to work everyone’s voice must be heard at the ballot box. The organization works year-round behind the scenes ”wide range of tools and activities to protect, advance and defend the right to vote.”
The lawyers who assist the coalition are all volunteers and interested attorneys can reach out to the coalition to volunteer.
To check the status of your ballot after voting go to mvp.sos.ga.gov
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