( – promoted by lowkell)
Today, Senate Democrats called on Governor Bob McDonnell to veto the voter suppression bill awaiting action on his desk, Senate Bill 1. A cornerstone of Republican’s overreaching agenda, SB1 requires Virginians to show additional documentation in order to vote, disproportionally preventing seniors and low-income Virginians from voting.
In recent days, Gov. McDonnell has called SB 1’s restrictions on voting “unreasonable,” and said that the legislation imposes an “unduly burden and barriers to your vote.” Senate Democrats agree: the Governor should veto this discriminatory bill immediately.
“Senate Bill 1 will systematically disenfranchise the poor, the elderly, the youth, and the disabled, and I call on Governor McDonnell to veto it right away,” said Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico). “The fact is that some of the most vulnerable members of our society will be disenfranchised by this bill, and Governor McDonnell should veto it.”
“This voter ID bill has the effect of undercounting the ballots certain constituencies – the young, the poor, the disabled, and minorities. Over the past decades, we have been building a more inclusive society in Virginia. Governor McDonnell should stand against this attempt to turn back the clock and veto this bill,” said Senator John Edwards (D-Roanoke City).
“The Governor should veto the bill right away. In 2012, it’s essential that we don’t turn back the clock. You can’t have democracy if some groups are systematically under-represented. This bill will make it more difficult for older folks to vote, for lower-income Virginians to vote, for those with disabilities, and for African-Americans to vote,” said Sen. Mamie Locke (D-Hampton).
“Governor McDonnell should veto Senate Bill 1 immediately. The right to vote is one of the most fundamental rights of our democracy. We should be encouraging people to vote-not making it harder. I hope Governor McDonnell takes the side of encouraging voter turnout, not suppressing it,” said Senator Mark Herring (D-Loudoun).
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