By: Nancy Metayer
Today marks Florida’s Primary Elections — and 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment giving all women the right to vote.
Voting rights in America have always been borne of struggle. The battles women fought 100 years ago for a constitutional right and against segregationist and discriminatory Jim Crow laws in the South echo in 2020 as we continue to work against voter suppression and for full access to the polls. The stakes have never been higher, and your vote counts more than ever.
The freedom to vote is your most important political power. At the start of our Republic, only white landowners could vote. Gradually, that opportunity was expanded to incorporate white male laborers, and women then gained full or partial suffrage in most states before winning the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution in 1920, which authorized full and equal voting rights for women.
This Primary Election, Broward County has the ability to create real change. That change can happen with your vote.
In order to have a truly vibrant democracy, we need to take steps to ensure inclusive voting. These steps include both reducing barriers to voting, affirmative plans to mobilize potential voters, and implementing stronger protections of the right to vote.
While America has made significant progress in protecting and expanding voting, millions of eligible voters still do not cast a ballot. There are also far too many who face explicit or implicit barriers that prevent them from participating in our elections.
One clear example is the overwhelmingly approved Florida’s constitutional amendment to give returning citizens the right to vote, resulting in our state legislature passing a law requiring those individuals to pay the entirety of fines owed before they could register to vote – a modern-day poll tax.
In the midst of COVID-19, when individuals want to ensure health precautions and exercise their right to vote by mail – our postal service is under attack; leading to lingering fears that ballots will not arrive in time to be counted.
To be a truly representative democracy, we must strive for universal, fully inclusive voting. If we achieve this goal, our elected bodies will better reflect the diversity of our communities, including the viewpoints of many who do not currently have an equal voice in our democracy – which we all deserve.
Our diverse communities will be better served by the resulting policy outcomes that are so consequential in everyday life. So don’t take your vote for granted today. Pay it forward to the women and our ancestors who ensured we can exercise our rights.
We have a chance to make history in Broward County. Our primary elections have a huge impact on our daily lives, by casting your vote for the Sheriff, Public Defender, State Attorney, School Board Members, Clerk of Courts, Supervisor of Elections, State Representatives and Federal Representative you ensure your voice is heard. It all starts locally and with you.
Author Louis L’Amour said: “To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.”
This is the perfect opportunity to prove democracy works.
Nancy Metayer is an environmental scientist, a former member of the Broward County Soil and Water Conservation District. She graduated from Coral Springs Charter School, earned a bachelor of science in environmental science from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and a master’s of health science from Johns Hopkins University. She is a candidate for the City of Coral Springs Commission Seat 3.
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3 comments
“To be a truly representative democracy, we must strive for universal, fully inclusive voting. If we achieve this goal, our elected bodies will better reflect the diversity of our communities, including the viewpoints of many who do not currently have an equal voice in our democracy – which we all deserve.”
I agree with the premise, but this piece is skewed by a portrayal that voting is being impeded.
By saying that ‘millions’ still don’t vote, the author forgets to mention that it is primarily by choice. The only example given is on the Florida Amendment 4, the Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative
Why was the actual title skirted? The complaint is on the inability of released felons to pay taxes and therefore not be able to vote. I personally voted for this Amendment. I still believe voting is a privilege and if paying taxes is one of the qualifiers for felons, then let’s focus on their employment and being a successful citizen of society.
“our postal service is under attack; leading to lingering fears that ballots will not arrive in time to be counted.” We are supposed to take this statement at face value? How exactly is our postal service under attack? The Cares Act that recently passed gave USPS billions and there is a potential for it to receive billions more.
Again, I fully agree that voting is important. It’s difficult to read yet another doom and gloom article that portrays an America where we’re victimized and full of struggle and strife. This article, if read quickly would give the reader the impression that our votes are ‘being impeded’. I don’t see this at all. Even with Covid, Early Voting for my husband was a breeze. Voting on Tuesday for my daughter and I was also a walk in, walk out situation. Our lives are stressed enough. When writing an article please frame it realistically and keep the panic buzz words to a minimum.
Voting is not only a privilege but it is also a right. The Constitution mentions “the right to vote” multiple times.
You stated that felons need to pay taxes is not the issue. Those who want to suppress their vote are demanding that they pay court fines and fees. These payments are viewed as Poll Taxes. The 24th Amendment ended the Poll Tax.
Finally, did not our president state that many mail in votes will be delayed? Earlier this years,Trump says he opposes mail-in voting for November after saying it would hurt GOP chances. Motivation for Impediment?
Or is it reining in voter fraud? I’ll ask again: what kolor is the sky in your stilted world view?