If it looks like a POLL TAX, then it is a POLL TAX
Poll taxes existed not just in the Confederate South, but also in Northern states. They were used to collect tax revenue and to grant privileges to those who could afford to pay them: voter registration and issuance of driving licenses are examples. While blatant poll taxes (you pay $X and then you can vote) were abolished, they continue to this day in an effort to suppress the ability for those who are too poor to vote. People of color are disproportionately poor, and it is no coincidence that these disguised efforts to restrict voting ultimately significantly impact people of color.
The ongoing fight in Florida is perhaps the hottest battle waging in the country at the present time.
In November 2018, the voters in Florida overwhelmingly voted in favor of a constitutional amendment that restored convicted felons’ voting rights. By a vote of nearly 65% of the electorate (Democrat and Republican voters), voters said that convicted felons who complete “all terms of sentence” should have the right to vote. Republican Governor DeSantis signed a bill to state that “all terms of sentence” includes legal financial obligations such as fines, fees and restitution, and the battle continued. Multiple groups, including the ACLU, filed suit to contend that this was unconstitutional and amounted to a poll tax. These are people who have otherwise fulfilled all terms of their sentence with the exception of paying monetary fines and restitution. Anyone halfway knowledgeable about our criminal justice system knows that poor Defendants are more likely to be charged with and convicted of a crime. Further, the ability to obtain employment with a felony conviction is extremely limited. One way to prevent changes to that system are to keep people directly impacted by the system from voting.
On September 11, 2020, by a 6-4 ruling, the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court’s ruling and stated that it is not a poll tax to require these citizens to pay their fines in order to vote. This ruling comes less than 2 months before the General Election, and it will certainly be appealed but it is unclear if there will be victory for voters in time for the election.
How Does Rideshare2Vote Fit In?
Despite this ruling, there are many voters who are fully able to vote, who are marginalized, and who deserve the right to voice their opinions through their voting ballot. They may have no transportation. They may feel unsure about the voting process. They may need to be activated to vote. That’s where Rideshare2Vote comes into play. Most campaigns do not reach out to these voters. They are focused on turning out the faithful. We do direct outreach to the voters that are overlooked in life and during election time.
Help us reach these overlooked and ignored voters. Let them know that you care about them and their vote. We are already expanding outside of Texas, and there are many ways you can help with either your financial contributions or your volunteer time.
