FEATURES

Renewal of the Voting Rights Act: Time to Pop the Champagne?

By Alaina Beverly

The Voting Rights Act (VRA) was renewed and signed into law on July 27, 2006. What preceded the signing was a long and difficult battle against groups who claimed that the expiring provisions of the VRA were outdated and unfair in this day and age. To learn more about the effort to protect and renew the VRA and what its success means to all voters, click here.

LOCK UP A MAN, LOCK OUT HIS VOTE: A Frank Conversation on Felony Disenfranchisement 

By Wayne Jacobs

In this candid interview, Wayne Jacobs, co-founder and executive director of X-Offenders for Community Empowerment (XCE), makes a strong case as to why incarcerated individuals and those with felony convictions should have the right to vote.  He also discusses the importance of civic engagement among this marginalized population. Click here to read the full interview.

New School Activists Say They Want Less Talk and More Action from Elected Officials

BYV!, the youth initiative of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), was lauded for having a major impact on the record increase in young voters during the 2004 presidential election. In 2006, they are focusing on the mid-term election. Now in its 10th program year, BYV! is dedicated to motivating the “hip hop” generation to effect change in their communities by active involvement in the civic process. To read more, click here.

My Choice

By Edwin Desamour

In Pennsylvania, far too many people do not know that they can vote even though they have a felony on their record. Misinformation about the voting rights of individuals in this situation is a significant barrier to voting. Nevertheless, more and more individuals who have served time for a felony conviction are getting involved in the democratic process. Click here to read about one man’s commitment to getting involved.

NEWSMAKERS

Florida Third-Party Voter Registration Case Ends in Victory
Court Ruling Having Domino Effect in Other States

Advancement Project helped to attain a tremendous court victory in August when the federal court in Miami enjoined Florida's most recent voter suppression scheme—chilling registration by imposing crippling fines on voter registration groups. To read the complete summary, click here.

Georgia Attempt to Stifle Third Party Voter Registration—DEFEATED!
Court Rules Law Violates First Amendment

In a favorable outcome for this critical Georgia voter registration case, plaintiffs emerged victorious in a legal battle opposing a growing nationwide trend targeting third party voter registration groups’ ability to continue engaging in highly successful voter registration and civic engagement efforts in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. To read the press release, click here. 

POINTS OF INTEREST

New Americans Vote! Advancing Social Change and Strengthening Democracy, An Action Brief for Funders (April 2006)

This action report opens by introducing the concept of integrated voter engagement and why it represents a good investment opportunity for grant makers, it then focuses on best practices for immigrant electoral engagement and highlights the work of immigrant organizations working to engage newcomers in civic and political life. Lastly, the report offers funders a concrete set of grant-making recommendations to promote, support, and expand immigrant civic engagement. To access the full report, click here.

NCLR Voter Guide by National Council of La Raza (March 2006)

This voter guide seeks to promote a common understanding of the Latino legislative agenda in addition to providing a yard stick by which the Latino community can measure the effectiveness of their congressional representatives, senators, and potential candidates. To access the full report, click here.

You Don’t Need a Home to Vote! By National Coalition for the Homeless (2006)

This manual seeks to promote voting access for low-income and homeless persons to ensure that the economically disadvantaged maintain an active role and voice in shaping their future. To read the entire manual, click here.

“American Blackout”

By Ian Inaba

This movie critically examines contemporary tactics used to control the democratic process and silence voices of political dissent by chronicling the recurring patterns of voter disenfranchisement from the 2000 Florida election to the 2004 Ohio election. To find a movie screening near you, visit: http://blackout.bravenewtheaters.com/screenings?zip.

FUNDING RESOURCES/EMPLOYMENT

This updated list provides information about a few of the funding resources and job opportunities are available to community justice practitioners. We plan to update this resource periodically as we learn of new opportunities. Please contact us with any opportunities of which you know and we will add them to this new resource. This list includes programs with upcoming deadlines as well as a few opportunities with rolling deadlines.

Click here to view Funding Resources/Employment >

CALENDAR

Check out our updated calendar with information on voter registration deadlines and primary and caucus dates! Please email us at cjrc@advancementproject.org with information on events of interest.

Click here to view the Calendar >

MAPPING THE LITERATURE

We encourage you to visit our updated bibliography (partially annotated) of recent publications and articles of interest to racial justice advocates. This bibliography features a dynamic array of publications spanning several exciting topics.

Click here to view the bibliography >

Advancement Project | 1730 M Street, NW #910, Washington, DC 20036 | Phone: (202) 728-9557 | Fax: (202) 728-9558
http://www.advancementproject.org