The Right to Vote

People For the American Way Foundation joined other national civil rights and civic participation organizations to announce today that the nonpartisan Know Your Rights / Election Protection program will be on the ground across the country on November 5 to educate voters about their rights and offer same-day assistance to voters who run into trouble on Election Day.

Two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved Africans in Texas received word from Union soldiers on June 19, 1865, that they were free. Today that date, remembered and celebrated as Juneteenth, commemorates the celebration of freedom for African Americans. This year, it also represents the one-year anniversary of the launch of Election Protection, a 21st Century nonpartisan program designed to protect all Americans’ right to vote.

Congress must challenge moves by Attorney General Ashcroft to undermine civil liberties and evade constitutional system of checks and balances

PFAW Reiterates Endorsement of Dodd-Conyers Bill

Public fails to receive ample notice of hearings on new election standards; Neas blasts state officials for ‘business-as-usual approach’

The anti-terrorism bill passed by the House of Representatives includes some improvements in the draconian legislation initially proposed by Attorney General John Ashcroft, but still includes contains that create the potential for serious violations of Americans’ civil liberties, said People For the American Way President Ralph G. Neas.

PFAWF’s Neas calls on President Bush to reject right-wing push for ideological domination of the federal judiciary, urges Senate to resist politics of intimidation and fulfill its constitutional role

Local Press Reports Strong Turnout