Let America Vote
Formation | February 6, 2017 |
---|---|
Type | Political action organization |
Legal status | 527 organization |
Location |
|
President | Jason Kander |
Treasurer | Abe Rakov[1] |
Website | www |
Let America Vote is a political action organization founded by former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander in February 2017.[2] Its mission is to end voter suppression across the country.[3]
Overview[]
Kander first became concerned about voter suppression during his tenure as Missouri Secretary of State, when the Republican-dominated state legislature proposed photo identification laws that could prevent as many as 200,000 eligible voters from voting.[3] Kander founded Let America Vote three months after he had narrowly lost to Roy Blunt in the 2016 Senate race. Responding to the actions taken by the Trump administration (such as the Voter Fraud Commission), Let America Vote aims to create political consequences for politicians intent on denying certain Americans the right to vote, especially those that target low-income and minority voters.[4][5] The group raised approximately $2.4 million in its first year, and has now established office branches in Iowa, New Hampshire, Georgia, Tennessee, and Nevada.[6][7][8]
Board of Advisors[]
Let America Vote is governed by a board of advisors consisting of voting rights activists, non-profit leaders, former Obama Administration officials, and Democratic politicians.[9] Notable members include:
- Stacey Abrams
- Eli Attie
- Andy Berke
- Janet Cruz
- Crisanta Duran
- Josh Earnest
- Marc Elias
- Jon Favreau
- Lucy Flores
- Christine Greig
- Alison Lundergan Grimes
- Eric Johnson
- Martin Luther King III
- Linda McCulloch
- William McCurdy II
- Susana Mendoza
- Denise Merrill
- Dan Pfeiffer
- Samantha Power
- Cecile Richards
- Rebecca Rios
- Stephanie Schriock
- Bakari Sellers
- Zephyr Teachout
- Bradley Whitford
Other activities[]
In his capacity as president of Let America Vote, Kander also serves as chairman of the Democratic National Committee's Commission on Protecting American Democracy from the Trump Administration. Congresswoman Terri Sewell serves as vice chair.[10]
References[]
- ^ "Committee details". Federal Election Committee. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ Wilder, Will (February 7, 2017). "Jason Kander Launches Let America Vote To Fight Voter Suppression Laws Across The Country". Let America Vote. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ a b Murphy, Doyle (February 7, 2017). "Jason Kander Launches Let America Vote to Fight Voter Suppression". Riverfront Times.
- ^ Kamisar, Ben (February 7, 2017). "Former Dem Senate candidate launches voting rights group". The Hill. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ^ "Jason Kander Statement on Trump Voting Commission's Apparent Pause Due to Lawsuits". Let America Vote. 25 October 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ^ Raasch, Chuck. "Kander raises $2.4 million for his voter-rights group so far", St. Louis Post Dispatch, November 30, 2017.
- ^ Nitcher, Emily. Not giving up on voter ID push, State Sen. Murante plans to introduce new legislation, Omaha World Herald, December 20, 2017.
- ^ Nijhawan, Rishabh. Former Senate candidate Jason Kander condemns voter suppression at UC Berkeley event, Daily Californian, December 11, 2017.
- ^ "Advisors". Let America Vote. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
- ^ "DNC Launches Commission on Protecting American Democracy from the Trump Administration". Democratic National Committee. May 25, 2017. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
External links[]
- Let America Vote official website
- American democracy activists
- Election and voting-related organizations based in the United States
- Jason Kander
- Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C.
- Political organizations established in 2017
- Political advocacy groups in the United States
- Progressive organizations in the United States
- Voter registration
- Voter turnout organizations