Texas Republicans want to ban Souls To The Polls. Why?
This StoryMap analyzes the facts to reveal where churches are located in key Texas counties. The racial composition of their congregations. Who are the elected officials in the districts where they are located. And the motivation behind this Republican voter suppression scheme.
Share this StoryMap: https://arcg.is/1jWHSm
Embed this StoryMap: < iframe src="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9f013c00718f4c209bd21808e1d2abcc" width="100%" height="500px" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen allow="geolocation">
Understand and fight voter suppression
The first step to fighting voter suppression is to understand how it is being done? How does the scheme work? Who benefits? Maps can help with this.
DemLabs created this map using the free StoryMaps app and data from Living Atlas. The map can be freely shared with this link https://arcg.is/1jWHSm
The StoryMap reinforces the urgent need to pass the For The People Act to prevent these kinds of voter suppression schemes from denying people their right to vote. It also helps to understand Republican voter suppression tactics by looking at where predominantly Black churches are located, the local community and the political district.
Just the facts: map without the narrative
Voting rights advocates may also want to use this map, but without the storytelling portion of the StoryMap. This free app provides that option and can be freely shared.
Share this app: https://arcg.is/0u9DKT0
Embed this app: < iframe width="300" height="200" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen src="https://arcg.is/0u9DKT0">
For the People Act (H.R. 1)
"Congress must pass the For The People Act (H.R. 1) — a bold, comprehensive package of democracy reforms including independent redistricting commissions, citizen-funded elections, closing the revolving door between government and corporate interests, and protecting voters against discrimination. H.R. 1 — is the boldest democracy reform since Watergate. It’s a massive overhaul of money-in-politics, voting, and ethics laws — all to make our democracy more inclusive." - Common Cause
Common Cause
Common Cause is a watchdog group based in Washington, D.C., with chapters in 35 states. It was founded in 1970 by John W. Gardner, a Republican, who was the former Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in the administration of President Lyndon Johnson as well as chair of the National Urban Coalition, an advocacy group for minorities and the working poor in urban areas.
Common Cause knows the ultimate power in a democracy is the people. To be truly of, by, and for the people, government must reflect everyone it serves. We’re all better off when people from all walks of life participate in self-governance. Every American wants and deserves a voice in shaping the future for our families and communities. We believe democracy is how a free society resolves its differences. And in order to do that well, we must all agree the process is fair, produces equitable outcomes, and reflects our communities, our values, and our priorities. Nobody wins all the time, but if the process is fair, at least we can trust it.