This July 4th weekend, I want to celebrate this country that I hold dear: the United States of America; the land of the free and the home of the brave. Yet, given recent events, I pause to consider: how united are we? Are we truly free? And are we brave enough?
This is a day off for me, so I have a little time to think about these questions. I do so through the lens of voting rights. I believe with all my heart that our representative democracy can only survive if we continue to have free and fair elections; if all eligible voters can easily cast their ballot; and if our elected representatives adopt laws that support these pillars of our democracy.
In Texas, we are facing serious threats to our voting rights. During the regular legislative session, legislation was proposed that aimed to make voting more complicated, especially for older and disabled voters, to criminalize actions by committed election workers, to limit election times and the number of polling places, and to make it easier for a losing candidate to overturn an election. I’m the president of the League of Women Voters of Texas, a 101-year-old volunteer nonpartisan political organization whose mission is “Empowering voters, Defending democracy!” I witnessed these legislative attacks on voting, often brought to a vote with very little public input or deliberation.
It is clear that our legislators are not united on how to support our right to vote. However, as voters, we deserve to see our legislators do their job: consider the law, examine the evidence, deliberate on needed action, and make an informed decision. As voters, we may not be united on what the outcome ought to be, but we should be united in holding our legislators accountable.
All of us should also be free to vote as we choose. Freedom to vote means: easy access to a ballot whether at the polling place or by mail; voting without fear of discrimination or intimidation; respect for our privacy and special needs. Voting is our civic responsibility, and we should celebrate our participation in that process. We cannot let politicians take that fundamental right away from us or make it so burdensome that many won’t vote. If we allow people to be disenfranchised, we are giving up on our model of democracy. Our freedom to vote is an essential part of who we are as Americans - I’m not giving up that freedom, and I will hold any legislator accountable who attempts to take it away.
Are we brave enough? I think of the brave election officials and workers who ensure safe and secure elections. During and between election cycles, they work tirelessly to manage voter registration, design ballots, set up polling places, attend and give training, and answer all our questions, among other things. They are truly the unsung heroes who are scrutinized for how elections run. As voters, are we brave enough to show up and cast our ballot? I know that for many of us, it’s not just about bravery: it’s about accessibility; it’s about safety; it’s about power.
As individual voters, we face our special challenges separately, and they can seem overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be that way - as voters, we can unite with our family, our friends, our communities, and our organizations to support our freedom to vote, to hold our legislators accountable, and to hold on tight to our country as the land of the free and the home of the brave! Happy 4th of July!
Grace Chimene, President, League of Women Voters of Texas