Voting
Rights & Participation
What are
voting rights issues?
"Voter suppression is any attempt to prevent or discourage certain Americans from registering to vote or casting their ballot. These measures often target specific groups based on race, ethnicity, political affiliation, age, or other aspects of voters’ identities. The most widely used forms of voter suppression include discriminatory voter ID and proof-of-citizenship restrictions, reduced polling place hours in communities of color, the elimination of early voting opportunities, and illegal purges of voters from the rolls. "
-League of Women Voters
Related NASW Code of Ethics Ethical Standards
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6. Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society
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6.01 - Social Welfare
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Social workers should promote the general welfare of society, from local to global levels, and the development of people, their communities, and their environments. Social workers should advocate for living conditions conducive to the fulfillment of basic human needs and should promote social, economic, political, and cultural values and institutions that are compatible with the realization of social justice.
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6.02 - Public Participation
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Social workers should facilitate informed participation by the public in shaping social policies and institutions.
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6.04 - Social and Political Action
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(a) Social workers should engage in social and political action that seeks to ensure that all people have equal access to the resources, employment, services, and opportunities they require to meet their basic human needs and to develop fully. Social workers should be aware of the impact of the political arena on practice and should advocate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social conditions to meet basic human needs and promote social justice.
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(b) Social workers should act to expand choice and opportunity for all people, with special regard for vulnerable, disadvantaged, oppressed, and exploited people and groups.
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(c) Social workers should promote conditions that encourage respect for cultural and social diversity within the United States and globally. Social workers should promote policies and practices that demonstrate respect for difference, support the expansion of cultural knowledge and resources, advocate for programs and institutions that demonstrate cultural competence, and promote policies that safeguard the rights of and confirm equity and social justice for all people.
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(d) Social workers should act to prevent and eliminate domination of, exploitation of, and discrimination against any person, group, or class on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, or mental or physical ability.
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Voting Right Advocacy Organizations
Voting Rights Alliance
The Voting Rights Alliance is a growing non-partisan network of organizations, activists, and legislators working to restore and protect voting rights from concerted attacks that undermine our access to the polls, and to have our votes fairly counted.
American Civil Liberties Union
The ACLU works to protect and
expand Americansʼ freedom to vote.
Ballot Ready
BallotReady is a non-partisan organization with the goal of helping voters request a ballot via state portal, email, or mail voters a paper copy of their completed application, along with a stamped and addressed envelope to send it on..
FairVote
FairVote is the national driving force behind advancing ranked choice voting (RCV) and proportional RCV in legislative districts to give voters more choices, fairer representation and better government.
Fair Fight Action
Fair Fight promotes fair elections in Georgia and across the nation by encouraging voter participation in elections, educating citizens about their voting rights, and helping them to register and vote. Fair Fight advocates for election reform at all levels. It engages in voter mobilization and education activities.
League of Women Voters
The LWV empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels.
When We
All Vote
When We All Vote is a key initiative within Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and works with Civic Nation Action, a 501(c)(4). These organizations are homes for changemakers who inspire, educate, and activate people around the issues that will define this generation.
Rock The Vote
Rock the Vote is the largest nonprofit and nonpartisan organization in the United States devoted to the youth vote to the polls. The organization has pioneered ways to make voting easier for young adults by simplifying and demystifying voter registration and elections.
NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund (LDF)
Using the power of law, narrative, research, and people, The LDF defend and advance the full dignity and citizenship of Black people in America.
The Native American Voting Rights Coalition is a non-partisan alliance of national and grassroots organizations, scholars, and activists advocating for equal access for Native Americans to the political process.
Democracy Docket
Democracy Docket is committed to helping people everywhere better understand the greatest challenges facing our democracy and what can be done to solve them.
Black Voters Matter
Black Voters Matter uses grassroots, “get out and talk to people” efforts to increase engagement and voting power in marginalized, predominantly Black communities that are most likely to be targeted for excessive barriers to voting
Brennan Center
For Justice
The Brennan Center for Justice is a nonprofit law and policy institute "that seeks to improve our systems of democracy and justice" by focusing on voting rights, campaign finance reform and other topics.
Campaign Legal Center
Campaign Legal Center (CLC) is a nonpartisan organization that advocates for every eligible voter to meaningfully participate in the democratic process. We use tactics such as litigation, policy advocacy and communications to make systemic impact at all levels of government.
Voting is Social Work
The National Social Work Voter Mobilization Campaign works to integrate nonpartisan voter engagement into social work education and practice
Voto Latino is a grassroots political organization focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latinx voters, as well as creating a more robust and inclusive democracy
Civic Nation
Civic Nation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington D.C. The group focuses on a range of initiatives that generally seek to increase democratic participation or advocate for social justice
"The vote is the most powerful, non-violent tool we have in a democratic society."
John R. Lewis
Please note: AdvanceSocialJustice.net recognizes that as society progresses, what is defined as inclusive, anti-biased terminology and vocabulary continually evolves. Due to this, specific terms and definitions that are used within the resources posted on this website may be outdated. While this website will continuously be updated with resources that will help you be prepared with up-to-date information, it is encouraged that you engage in ongoing dialogue and learning to remain informed on inclusive and anti-biased terminology to use in your practice.
Voting Rights Resources
Articles
Voting is Social Work: What Field Educators Need to Know
Andrea Munn et al.
Citation:
Munn, A., Fisher, A., Lewis, B.M., Okuda, K., Sander, R. L. (2019). Voting is social work: What field educators need to know. Practice Digest, 9(2),
Voting is social work: Voices from the national social work voter mobilization campaign
Mimi Abramovitz et al.
Citation:
Abramovitz, M., Sherraden, M. S., Rhodes Smith, T., & Hill, K. (2019). Voting is social work: Voices from the national social work voter mobilization campaign. Journal of Social Work Education, 55(1), 1-19.
Creating a Culture of Voting in Direct and Generalist Practice: Training Field Instructors
Shannon Lane et al.
Citation:
Lane, S., Hill, K., Ostrander, J., Powers, J., Rhodes Smith, T., & Hylton, M. E. (2020). Creating a culture of voting in direct and generalist practice: Training Field Instructors. Advances in Social Work, 19(1), 1-20.
From the Editor—’Tis the Season for Voting
Danielle E. Parrish
Citation:
Parrish, D. E. (2020) From the Editor—’Tis the Season for Voting, Journal of Social Work Education, 56(4), 623-625
What social workers need to know about the right to vote
Donna Hardina
Citation:
Hardina, D. (2003) What social workers need to know about the right to vote, The Social Policy Journal, 2(4), 53-70
Topic: Voting Rights and political participation
Donald E. Klingner & Charles S. Bullock III
Citation:
Klingner, D. E., & Bullock III, C. S. (2019). Topic: Voting rights and political participation. Public Integrity, 21(3), 358-363.
Challenging Voting Rights and Political Participation in State Courts
Irving Joyner
Citation:
Joyner, I. (2019). Challenging Voting Rights and Political Participation in State Courts. Scholar, 21, 231.
Other Types of Articles
Voting Is Social Work: Voter Empowerment and the National Social Work Voter Mobilization Campaign
Link:
Voting as a social work intervention
Link:
https://socialwork.wayne.edu/bsw/events/voting_as_a_social_work_intervention_wayne_state_2020.pdf