Rock The Vote Says Gov. Abbott is a “Democracy-Hater” Whose Actions “Choke Voter’s Ability to Participate” After Executive Action Closing Ballot Drop Off Sites
WASHINGTON — Rock the Vote, issued the following statement by its president, Carolyn DeWitt, in response to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s order to close ballot drop-off sites and limit counties to one drop-off location.
“Texas Governor Greg Abbot’s actions demonstrate that he is a democracy-hater, someone who resents that power is held by the people and abuses their power to deny democracy from working as it should.
With this action, Governor Abbott is actively choking voter’s ability to participate in our democracy — in an attempt to determine the outcome of the election. That is not democracy. That is authoritarianism. That is not patriotism. That is treason to our country’s founding principles.
The youth generation is the most diverse generation in our country’s history and Texas is one of the fastest diversifying states in the country fueled in large part to the growth of Latinx youth who are turning 18 and becoming eligible to vote. There’s a pathetic and disgusting correlation between demographic shifts and voter suppression efforts in states like Texas where those in power do not want to let people of color have a voice in our democracy.
This underscores the need to restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. And, if this Senate won’t do their job to restore the VRA then we must ensure the next Senate does.
This is the exact reason why we need to overcome and overwhelm the system this election and overcome all the barriers. This is why we need to show up and elect and swear in leaders who believe in the integrity of democracy — who aren’t going to manipulate and cheat this system, but rather leaders who are going to honor the will of the people. To do so otherwise is unpatriotic.
Everything is bigger in Texas, even Governor Abbott’s gross abuse of power and perverse and blatant disrespect for our country.
Go vote and make your voice heard.
