LWV Of Alabama

Voting is a fundamental right. Yet voters with disabilities face persistent barriers to casting a ballot.

Fortunately, these barriers can be challenged under Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), which requires that states allow people with disabilities to receive assistance in the voting process. 

A coalition of civil rights, voting rights, and disability rights organizations filed a motion for a preliminary injunction asking the court to pause the state of Alabama from criminalizing the assistance of voters with their absentee ballot applications, which now may result in felony penalties of up to 20 years in prison.  

Bloody Sunday refers to the day in 1965 when hundreds of civil rights activists were attacked by law enforcement while marching for Black American's right to vote. Now, Bloody Sunday is an observance where civil and voting rights advocates congregate to honor the legacy of the original foot soldiers who risked their lives for equal rights. Jubilee attendees build on the original activists’ legacies by continuing to fight for equal representation.    

A coalition of civil rights, voting rights and disability rights organizations suedto block Alabama’s recently enacted Senate Bill 1 (SB1). This law directly targets, drastically restricts, and severely penalizes basic nonpartisan civic engagement efforts that enable all Alabamians to access their right to vote.

This story was originally published by the Selma Sun.

About 500 students from high schools, middle schools and six colleges came to the 59^th Jubilee to learn about civic engagement.