
NCBL WEBINAR: 2020 JUNETEENTH FORUM *
VOTING RIGHTS:
Fighting For Democracy, Protecting The Vote
While local and national elections have long been a source of struggle for black, indigenous and other people of color (BIPOC), the 2020 election season involves unique challenges to voter participation.
Already the primaries have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis with voters in some states denied an opportunity to vote. Some advocates highlight that new voter registration has been nearly eliminated with the closing of DMVs, libraries, and other traditional registration locations.
JOIN US! ORGANIZE! STRATEGIZE!
We must not let the opposition forces use this pandemic to steal the 2020 elections. With its many challenges, the crisis requires expanded advocacy and collaboration and more impactful strategies to address voter suppression and the long-term issues regarding access to the ballot.
Advocates have called for expanding options for voting, including mail-in, virtual, and even telephone-based voting. NCBL will bring together experts who will evaluate the pros and cons of these options and use this current crisis as an important opportunity for change and to expand ballot access for incarcerated and returning citizens.
* Juneteenth commemorates the announcement of the abolition of U.S. slavery for enslaved Africans on June 19, 1865.
OUR PRESENTERS
Our distinguished panelists have a long and brilliant history of fighting the discriminatory and suppressive voting attacks and will discuss the importance of why we all must exercise our most fundamental right to vote. Our panelists will also look at the critical issues for voters in this 2020 election and what we will need to do to prepare. We will discuss the following:
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Historical information on the Voting Rights Act and contemporary efforts to protect the vote of Black people and other people of color;
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The use of the COVID-19 pandemic to justify ongoing strategies to deny access to the ballot for black, indigenous, and other people of color;
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Current legal and organizational strategies regarding protecting the vote; and
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The necessary role of activists and lawyers in protecting the vote and maintaining voter turnout.

Victor
Goode
Former National Director of NCBL

Barbara R.
Arnwine
Former National Director of NCBL

Chynna A.
Baldwin
Senior National Coordinator, Protection Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Irving L.
Joyner
Former National Director of NCBL

Esmeralda
Simmons
Founding Executive Director, Center for Law & Social Justice