Voting is a Civic Sacrament

As a civil libertarian and American of African descent, I naturally recoil from any attempt to limit the right to vote for any citizen, anywhere and at anytime. As a former combat medic who spent 18 months in a war-zone, for me, defending the U.S. Constitution is not an abstract concept.

I, like the vast majority of Americans, truly believe we can become a great and democratic nation if more, not fewer, Americans voted. In my opinion, the Rev. Theodore Hesburgh had it right when he said, "Voting is a civic sacrament."

Well my friends our civic sacrament is in trouble!

Yesterday, the Republican-dominated U.S. House of Representatives voted and approved their latest tactic to put "barriers between eligible voters and the ballot box" by authorizing a policy commonly known as "voter suppression." The legislation now goes to the Republican-dominated U.S. Senate where supporters of voter suppression policies are grinning like Cheshire cats because they believe this proposed law will help maintain a one-party dynasty for many years to come.

Voter suppression laws are aimed at poor, minority, disabled, and elderly citizens who are less likely than other citizens to have official photo identification. On average, they are less likely to own cars or drive and therefore are less than likely to have drivers' licenses. By requiring them to seek out and pay for (in some cases nearly $100 or more) something that will look like a passport, many of those individuals will simply not vote. Most reasonable people know if this "extra" hurdle is enacted in 2010, it will be a voting deterrent rather than an incentive to increase the number and diversity of likely voters.

Voter suppression laws have already been enacted in nearly a dozen states. However, recent court decisions in Georgia and Missouri have struck down "voter suppression" laws as unconstitutional.

Shortly before he recently retired, our dear friend, the Rev. Thomas Mickelson of First Parish Cambridge invited famed author Taylor Branch to speak from the pulpit about the legacy of the civil rights movement. Like UUSC President Charlie Clements, Branch called voter suppression laws a "21st century poll tax" and encouraged us all to continue the struggle for civil rights and civil liberties. We agree, we're committed, and hope you will join us in defense of this important civil liberty.

Indeed, "Voting is a civic sacrament."