The Future of Our Democracy: The Crucial Role of Voter Participation in Preventing Authoritarianism
As we approach this month’s end, additional questions continue to appear about what influences are in play, regarding our voting processes, the impact of judicial decisions and what the future holds for our democracy.
The country we have come to know appears to be in the throes of change, division and uncertainty, while appearing to be headed towards a country some haven’t had any idea it would ever become. We’re referring to our democracy possibly becoming an authoritarian state, where democratic principles could be wiped away and replaced by a dictatorship.
Inaction and procrastination, on the part of misinformed or uninterested voters, could lead to fewer voters casting their ballots, making their voices heard, thus allowing the establishment of a dictatorship in these United States of America. The main hindrance to that occurring is for The People to get registered and Go Vote, in the general election, come November.
In our country’s history, We, the People, were able to rely on one of the three branches of government, that being the Judiciary, apart from the Executive and the Legislative branches. This branch generally was called upon to “protect the Constitution”, as well as the rights of the people, in it’s duty as the Supreme Court.
The court has now come under closer scrutiny, for decision established policy, vacating other policies and deciding what was previously precedent was now unconstitutional. We’re going to examine two issues where these past decisions are having a negative impact on elections and the voting populace.
In 2010, the Court ruled in the case of Citizen’s United vs. FEC, that “the freedom of speech clause, of the First Amendment, prohibits the government from restricting independent expenditures for political campaigns, by corporations, non-profit organizations, labor unions and other organizations.” This has since, ushered in an influx of “dark money”, reportedly as long as donations are not tied to a specific campaign.
Briefly, we are all aware of the June 2013 ruling, in Shelby County (Alabama) vs.Holder, which declared Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, as unconstitutional and which had required certain states with a history of voting violations, to obtain “pre-clearance” from the Department of Justice, before any changes could be made to voting processes.
We are also very aware of the 2021 decision, by the SCOTUS decision, to overturn Roe vs.Wade, which was in effect for fifty years.
More questions arise over the approval of State redistricting maps, which were challenged, voting rights advocates, on the grounds that those maps were gerrymandered, to dilute the voting power of black voters, thereby denying them of the opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice.
All of the foregoing must remind voters that we must be diligent, make plans and be organized, increase the scrutiny of candidates seeking to represent us and increase voter turnout, in ALL elections!
If We Want To Change Policies, We Must Change Policymakers!
If We Want To Change Laws, We Must Change Lawmakers!
