Truth or Fiction?
Today a friend told me that black voters don’t have automatic voting rights, and perhaps that will now be changed with a new president. I couldn’t help but wonder why the candidates weren’t talking about this if it were the truth. It just didn’t ring true, so I looked it up and now recall it was a hoax issued in email form on the Internet (a couple years ago). Here’s what I discovered on Truth or Fiction website.
African Americans Will Lose the Right To Vote in 2007 Fiction! Summary of eRumor:
The story says that blacks will be losing their right to vote in 2007. The reason is that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was not a law, it was just an act, but never passed into law. In 1982 according to the story, Ronald Reagan amended the Voting Rights Act for another 25 years...until 2007. At that time, congress will revisit the whole issue and in addition to congressional approval, there needs to be the approval of 38 states for the law to be extended.
The Truth: This is a hoax.
Voting rights for African Americans will not expire in 2007.
1. According to the United States Department of Justice, Both the 15th amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 guarantee that no person can be prohibited from voting because of race or color. That guarantee is without expiration. The Voting Rights Act does not expire. Lawmakers did add some provisions to the law, however, that are up for review in 2007. Those include things like a ban on poll taxes, allowing the government to register voters if local registrars of voters refuse to do it, and monitoring of elections where there may be concern over everybody getting a chance to vote.
2. Both acts and laws are actions of congress and are the law. There is no distinction in terms of how long they exist. It depends on how they're written.
3. These special provisions of the Voting Rights Act were to originally expire in 1970, but congress voted to extend them. They were extended again in 1970, 1975, and 1982. The chances are good that congress will extend them again.
4. An extension does not any approval by the states. Somebody's gotten that mixed up with an amendment to the Constitution, which does require the approval of at least 38 U.S. states
One of the real Examples of the story as it has been circulated on the Internet:
Subject: VOTE OR LOSE IN 2007
WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO!
BLACKS CAN LOSE VOTING RIGHTS IN 2007! PASS THIS ON TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN!
I am wondering if anyone out here knows what the significance of the year 2007 is to Black America? Did you know that the right to vote will expire in the year 2007? Seriously! The Voters Rights Act signed in 1965 by Lyndon B. Johnson was just an ACT. It was NOT made a LAW!!!! In 1982 Ronald Reagan amended the Voters Rights Act for only another 25years. Which means that in the year 2007 we could lose the right to vote! Does anyone realize that Blacks/African Americans are the only group of people who require PERMISSION under the United States Constitution to vote? In the year 2007 Congress will once again convene to decide whether or not Blacks should retain the right to vote (crazy, but true). In order for this to be passed, 38 states will have to approve an extension. In my opinion and many others, this is ludicrous! Not only should the extension be approved, but also the Act must be made a law. Our right to vote should no longer be up for discussion, review and/or evaluation. We must contact our Congresspersons, Senators, Alder persons, etc., to put a stop to this! We have come too far to let the government make such a huge step backward. As bona fide citizens of the United States, we cannot "drop the ball" on this one! So please, let us push forward to continue building the momentum towards gaining equality. I urge all of you that are able, to contact those in government that have your vote and will be voting on this issue.
Amendment Text Annotations of the Constitution:
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation
I was so relieved to learn this was a hoax. If you hear something that doesn't sound right, do a search and find out the Truth. It is important to protect yourself and take another look when something like this comes across your mailbox.
This is a good example of why I dislike forwards.
m_99
