Last year, we witnessed a monumental victory for democracy: in the middle of a pandemic, over 159 million people voted in the presidential election. That means that over 159 million people had their voice heard, more than in any other presidential election in U.S. history.
This accomplishment is something that should be celebrated. Instead, some Republican-led states are doing the exact opposite by enacting voter suppression laws. One example can be found in Texas, where Republicans are seeking to prohibit a variety of practices that make voting easier for minorities, lower income workers and senior citizens, such as drop boxes and the collection of ballots using mobile structures.
Another example is Georgia, where a special election resulted in Democrats narrowly winning the Senate. In April of 2021, the governor of Georgia signed a bill into law that can be characterized as an assault on democracy. The law cuts by more than half the amount of time that voters have to request an absentee ballot, reduces the number of ballot boxes available for voting, and makes it illegal for absentee ballots to be mailed to all voters, and instead requires that these be requested online, effectively making it a privilege for those who have the education and access to technology.
These types of legislative changes are frightening. A large portion of minority voters, black, Asian, and Latin American, work hourly wage jobs that make it difficult to vote in person. They historically have had to sacrifice hours of their work time, at a huge financial cost, just to vote. Mail-in voting revolutionized their ability to participate in their democracy. Each restriction on absentee voting simply takes votes away from American minorities. We know that not everyone who reads this email has attained the right to vote yet, but that makes it even more important for those who can vote, to vote. Every vote by a U.S. Citizen is not only a vote for themselves; it is also a vote for their loved ones who cannot vote. Making sure every voice is heard is the touchstone of democracy.
If you are a Lawful Permanent Resident [1] and are interested in becoming a U.S. Citizen [2], now is the time to explore that option. Midterm congress elections will be here in no time and we want to make sure we elect those who can best represent our multi-cultural and multi-racial society. If you are not yet a Lawful Permanent Resident but want get on a pathway to become one, and a U.S. Citizen in the future, it is never too soon to evaluate your options and get started on this journey. The experienced immigration lawyers [3] of FitzGerald Law Company are here to help you identify the options you have to legalize your immigrant status in the U.S. Call at (617) 303-2600 and schedule your appointment today or fill out our online appointment request [4].