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Grassroots Group Launched in Atlanta Continues Fight

October 7th, 2013

A grassroots group launched a national campaign in Atlanta in August. The organization, called American Values First, wants to overturn Voter ID laws in several states. The group says such laws restrict voting access for minorities, students, and senior citizens.

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The group is comprised of state lawmakers around the country, including Georgia’s Democratic House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams. She says the group is developing a tool kit to help guide members.

“It’ll be a combination of sample legislation, things to look for and look out for, things to be aware of, messaging opportunities, talking points, and really giving a robust communications strategy,” she says.

Abrams says the idea is to prepare for upcoming legislative sessions, which start in January for most states.

“If I’m in a state that has progressive legislation, let’s see if we can make it better,” Abrams says. “If I’m in a state that has restrictive legislation, let’s see if we can mitigate it and if I’m in a state that’s starting this conversation, let me impact the conversation and really steer it toward expanding access to the right to vote rather than restricting it.”

Abrams says those differences in legislation mean the group’s strategy will vary by state. Georgia’s law, for example, allows student IDs. But laws recently passed in Texas and North Carolina don’t. The U.S. Justice Department sued Texas in August and this week filed suit against North Carolina. American Values First president Michael Sargeant wouldn’t say whether the group is involved in the lawsuit, but said it’s a step in the right direction.

“We’re very heartened and excited about the actions of the Department of Justice regarding the North Carolina legislation,” he said. “We’re very excited about the fact that it’s being recognized how suppressive that legislation is.”

According to the National Council of State Legislatures, 34 states have passed Voter ID laws so far.