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Give Us the Ballot
Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America | Ari Berman
On the fiftieth anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, a riveting and alarming account of the continuing battle over the right to vote The adoption of the landmark Voting Rights Act in 1965 enfranchised millions of Americans and is widely regarded as the crowning achievement of the civil rights movement. And yet fifty years later we are still fighting heated battles over race, representation, and political power--over the right to vote, the central pillar of our democracy. A groundbreaking narrative history of voting rights since 1965, Give Us the Ballottells the story of what happened after the act was passed. Through meticulous archival research, fresh interviews with the leading participants in the ongoing struggle, and incisive on-the-ground reporting, Ari Berman chronicles the transformative impact the act had on American democracy and investigates how the fight over the right to vote has continued in the decades since. From new strategies to keep minorities out of the voting booth, to cynical efforts to limit political representation by gerrymandering electoral districts, to the Supreme Court's recent stunning decision that declared a key part of the Voting Rights Act itself unconstitutional, to the efforts by the Justice Department and grassroots activists to counter these attacks, Berman tells the dramatic story of the pitched contest over the very heart of our democracy. At this important historical moment, Give Us the Ballot brings new insight to one of the most vital political and civil rights issues of our time.
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MallenNC
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Today is the last day to Early Vote here in North Carolina. I voted about 2 weeks ago when voting opened. I always vote not only because it‘s important but because people have fought so hard for this right.

Thanks for the idea to post about voting Alyisha!

(That‘s this year‘s voting sticker. I always stick them on this organizer.)

monalyisha Thanks for voting, & for sharing @MallenNC! 🥳 Don‘t forget to email: monalitsy@gmail.com (and include your Litsy handle for me, if you would). (edited) 1y
MallenNC @monalyisha Done! I just sent the email. 1y
monalyisha @MallenNC 👏 💯 Thank you! 1y
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kspenmoll 👏🏻👏🏻 1y
marleed I live early voting. It releases me the anxiety of the necessity of voting on Election Day because there is no way I‘d ever forgo my right and responsibility to vote. 1y
MallenNC @marleed I always worry I am going to be sick on Election Day! So early voting helps my anxiety too. 1y
31 likes6 comments
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bookishbitch
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I am so relieved. Now begins the job of fixing the damage the previous administration caused our country. I do not envy anyone that task.

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vivastory
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Chrissyreadit It‘s un-fucking real. 3y
Sace I really hope that in addition to a change in President we need a new senate too. The GOP failed the country. 3y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa It‘s crazy... and whatever we win back, one top priority (besides reuniting families at the border and COVID) has to be voting rights reform and voting reform....from gerrymandering to voting machines, to counting to election security, and definitely disenfranchisement! (edited) 3y
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BethM Oh we‘re quite a mess over here in WI currently. 3y
vivastory @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I couldn't agree more 3y
vivastory @Chrissyreadit It's a nightmare, for sure 3y
Lcsmcat This makes me so angry! 3y
vivastory @Sace Agreed 💯 3y
Skyrimir Yep! Over 100k votes being challenged in Texas. Drive thru voting was approved and now we are going to find out tomorrow if our votes count or not. It‘s a mess. 3y
vivastory @BethM I've heard. Things are pretty dismal in MO as well with how many loopholes you have to jump through for early voting. Have to get it notarized 🙄🙄 I'm going to vote in person but I know a lot of people couldn't 3y
vivastory @Lcsmcat Feels like they are attempting to steal the election in front of our eyes 3y
vivastory @Skyrimir The number of votes that have been tossed out is starting to make me really really nervous 3y
BethM I mean the republicans have challenged EVERY health order in court too- masks, lockdown, capacity restrictions, etc. Our state govt mirrors the feds just in reverse with a republican house and a democratic governor. 3y
KVanRead After reading One Person No Vote with @Riveted_Reader_Melissa this is all scaring, and infuriating me more than ever. It‘s like watching every voter suppression tactic discussed in the book play out in real time 😰 3y
vivastory @KVanRead I hate to say it, but I think there's a chance it could be a few days before there's a winner declared. Fingers crossed that I'm wrong 3y
KVanRead I think there‘s a very real chance and it has me very nervous. If at the end of the night Trump is ahead by even the thinnest of margins he will declare victory as will his media supporters and will do everything to stymy remaining vote counting. And if Biden isn‘t ahead by a sweeping margin Trump will do everything to invalidate the results. 3y
vivastory @KVanRead It's going to be a long few days ahead... 3y
Sace @vivastory @KVanRead I'm afraid you're both right. 3y
vivastory @Sace @kvanread Thankfully there's books (when I'll be able to focus on reading again) & bookish friends to keep us sane! Oh, & wine! (edited) 3y
Sace @vivastory I'm definitely stacking some books and adding shows to my watchlist! 3y
KVanRead @vivastory oh hell yes, thankful for books and Cardboardeaux😂 3y
vivastory @Sace That is very very wise! 3y
vivastory @KVanRead I'll be making a run tomorrow. 😂 3y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @KVanRead We read it at the right time, for sure. 3y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @vivastory Unfortunately I think you‘re right...and I‘m worried once it goes past Election Day they will try to invalidate anything counted after that. I‘m in PA.... and we are not going to know ours for awhile I‘m afraid, and the way everyone is visiting this area, they seem to believe PA will be important. 3y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @KVanRead Yes, I‘ll second all of that! 3y
MicheleinPhilly @Riveted_Reader_Melissa This is why I‘m going tomorrow. I don‘t trust the people in Harrisburg or the courts and I didn‘t need the added anxiety of wondering if my ballot was received/counted. 3y
51 likes30 comments
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vivastory
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vivastory
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🙄🙄🙄 A healthy dose of eye roll. That's right, 3 of the 9 Supreme Court Justices worked on the legal team for the most contested american election in recent memory. People are worried, & for good reason, about the ACA & Roe V Wade. With Barrett refusing to recuse herself if the election results were contested before the court, the fight begins now. VOTE
(Above quoted from Slate article We're Living in the Shadows of Bush v Gore 2.0)

DrexEdit Grrrrrrr..... 😡😡😡 3y
Hooked_on_books No, no Scott, she has NO AGENDA! Really. Honest. What a load of 💩💩💩 3y
KVanRead 🤯🤬😡 3y
56 likes3 comments
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readordierachel
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Thinking it's a good day to finally start this one.
Happy voting to all the U.S. littens. 🤞🏼🤞🏼

vivastory Happy voting, friend! 5y
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Chrissyreadit
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Some books to engage, encourage and educate about Voting: https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/voting-rights/
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/25617.Children_s_Books_About_Voting
I Voted!!! Cheers to civic engagement 🎉

alisiakae #IVotedEarly 💙💙💙💙 5y
Gaylagal2 WTG! I'm headed down there shortly🗳 5y
83 likes2 comments
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MallenNC
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Andrew65 I would have gone for Nelson Mandela. 6y
30 likes2 comments
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JoyBlue
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Pickpick

I read this for an upcoming League of Women Voters book discussion. I found the beginning to be a somewhat slow review of the civil rights era of King, Lewis, et al (which I've studied quite a bit recently, but others may appreciate more). I especially appreciated the more intermediate and recent content. [I‘m not sure “appreciated” is the right word. I certainly found it compelling.] I‘m glad I stuck with it.

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swishandflick
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Snagged a nonfiction audiobook deal ($4.95) from the Audible End-of-Summer Sale! Feels mighty timely 👊🏽 #audiobook

PS: if you can't tell by now, I have a serious book buying problem. Someone needs to save me from myself and take my wallet away 😂

DocBrown Great read! 7y
56 likes1 comment
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SuperPunkNinja
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Pickpick

This book was difficult to listen to because the subject is so infuriating. Our voting rights are being systematically taken away through suppression and disenfranchisement. It does make you want to fight though.

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SuperPunkNinja
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I'm about a third of the way through this book and I'm finding it extremely upsetting. Every time we make progress in this country the right pushes back so viciously it makes it harder to move forward the next time. 😡

melbeautyandbooks True and frustrating! 7y
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crhealey
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#junebookbugs #stripes All my books are packed for yet another move and I most definitely do not want to "celebrate all the adulting you do." I'd rather be reading this book!

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BookishFeminist
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Paid a trip to B&N tonight for some self care. I came back with these beauties! I'll read anything Rebecca Solnit writes, and this one seems especially prescient. Give Us the Ballot is about voting rights in the US, and he's been very outspoken against voter suppression ever since the Voting Rights Act was rolled back. The Hundred-Year Walk is about the Armenian Genocide in Turkey. I want to read up on it because...reasons. 📖

vivastory Surprised they had the Solnit. Amazon has been sold out for awhile now. Ended up buying it on Kindle 7y
BookishFeminist @vivastory My B&N is usually pretty well stocked. I was surprised they had it too though. It wasn't the only copy either! 7y
catiewithac Wonderful haul🇺🇸 7y
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kspenmoll Solnit is wonderful📚❤. 7y
ReadingEnvy Solnit has another one coming out that you will definitely want 7y
BookishFeminist @ReadingEnvy I have the ARC of it already :) 7y
158 likes7 stack adds7 comments
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PoetKoala

"Despite our many distinctions as a democracy, the enduring debate over who can and cannot participate in it remains a key feature of our national character." (11-12)
I have a feeling this book will be very quotable. #24in48 #ReadersResist

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PoetKoala

On the Voting Rights Act: "The Act gives a broad interpretation to the right to vote, recognizing that voting includes 'all action necessary to make a vote effective.'" (7) #24in48 #ReadersResist

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PoetKoala
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Tea and the books I'm starting during the #24in48 readathon. Once they're all started, the rotation continues! No baking today, just reading and munching on cinnamon rolls! #24in48readathon #ReadersResist

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WanderingBookaneer
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Post #MLK #24in48 reads

EllieDottie I am super excited to see what you have to say about it!!! 7y
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WanderingBookaneer
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Hers and hers #PossibleBookHaul

TrishB Fab 💟👍 7y
LeahBergen 😮😮😮😮 7y
Suzze Two great piles! 7y
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jpmcwisemorgan I can't imagine TWO readers in the house! How do you have room? Do you swap books? 7y
Pruzy Ooh, the Monopolists! I've been wanting to read that one! 7y
SaturnDoo Oh I am trying to decrease Mt TBR but I see some new adds 😁 7y
Bookworm83 I would love to live at your house! 📚📚📚 7y
JSW Teach me how to budget. 🤑 7y
145 likes9 comments
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PoetKoala
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Working on ideas for #24in48 Readathon next weekend, and thinking it will be high time for some #ReadersResist reading. It's a wee bit nonfiction heavy, so I'll need to see what I can find to give me some more variety.

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Jas16
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Pickpick

This is a depressing book made more so after our recent election. Covering the history of the Voting Rights Act and all of the ways we continue to wrestle with voter suppression, this book is informative and important.

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readordierachel
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Saw this over on Instagram from Powell's Books. Head over there and give them suggestions! #overthis

RanaElizabeth I got a hell of a suggestion for Trump but it ain't a book... 7y
CocoReads @RanaElizabeth your suggestion might be similar to mine... 7y
vivastory Ditto on every comment so far 7y
Julsmarshall Right there with you, @RanaElizabeth 7y
38 likes5 comments
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TheBookStacker
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This book along with "The New Jim Crow" are probably the most important books I've read this year.

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MallenNC
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On Election Day I am thinking about this book and how hard people have fought -- and still do -- for the right to vote. #NonfictionNovember

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vivastory

Be a HUMAN. VOTE!

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BookishFeminist
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💰💰 SALE ALERT $3.95 💰💰

Audible's Daily Deal is a great book on the ongoing struggles with disenfranchisement under the National Voting Rights Act of 1965, from racial gerrymandering (redrawing voting district lines), voter ID laws, etc. It's a thorough, timely look at voting rights in the United States & an important read for those who want to become more informed. 🗳🇺🇸

SuperPunkNinja Awesome! Thank you! 7y
literarymermaid I've been wanting to read this one too 7y
85 likes6 stack adds2 comments
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BooksTeasAndBookishThings
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In case any of you need an absentee ballot, this is where to get one. It has every state's policy for the absentee voting procedure and links to where you can request it for your state. Just because you will not be in the area when the time comes, you can still make your voice heard! #VoteHoney #RockTheVote #MakeYourVoiceHeard #VOTE

FVAP.gov

Or call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683)

Readingismyescape Thanks for sharing. 🇺🇸 8y
cariashley Ah thanks for this. I need to get on it pronto. 8y
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BooksTeasAndBookishThings @Readingismyescape absolutely! ❤️🙌🇺🇸 8y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @cariashley no problem! I was unable to vote last time because I didn't know to do this online and they wouldn't do a write-in ballot here since we weren't married yet 😢 so I kept asking my Husband to find out for the spouses and then BAM! This came in the mail, and I had to share so no one ends up in my predicament from last time! ❤️ 8y
Barb1 I was a military wife for 22 years and we always voted by absentee ballot and still do. 8y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @Barb1 I was 20 for the first federal vote I could participate in & I am sad to say I did not b/c I was just oblivious & young. I was so excited for the ability to rectify that last time & I asked about the write-in ballot since I was not an "eligible" dependent until we were married & they said it was easy to do when I got there, but when I went the lady said I had to request one before, I was behind the deadline & the first person was wrong. Ugh 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Important post... Because every vote counts! 8y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @Riveted_Reader_Melissa yes! Every single one!!! 😊 8y
UwannaPublishme So grateful that you posted this! Yes!! Please vote! 👏🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸 8y
KafkaKitten I was 17 for the 2012 presidential election and I can't wait to be able to vote in my first one! I've voted in every election, big or small, since I turned 18. I wish everyone knew how important voting is! 8y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @UwannaPublishme @KafkaKitten It was something my parents were always adamant in doing, and I guess they just assumed that we knew how important it was because they were always so passionate about "I have to go vote." And their education had that as a part of the curriculum : voting/economics/government... Whereas my education was basically "here is how electoral votes work" but nothing on how important. Now, I know and spread the word when I can! 8y
Suzze My first presidential vote was in 1972. I voted for McGovern, who lost to Richard Nixon. I have never missed any vote, national or local, since. Now I'm old enough to always qualify for absentee and love it! 😀😀 8y
Audrey Also many states (I think 17) have early voting, including my own (Massachusetts). My town has numerous voting stations 2 weeks before the election, including two branches of the public library. It makes it really easy to vote. There is no excuse not to. 8y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @Suzze that is awesome! And something to be very proud of 🙌🇺🇸 @Audrey Yes! My town does early voting, too! One is a a volunteer fire department and that is where I would go if I lived back home. Not sure if they do early voting here, I think they did last time... But, I agree! No reason not to vote! 8y
AmyG Bad people are elected by good people who don't vote. VOTE NOV 8 8y
Crystallinegirl That's one thing I really miss about Oregon - it's entirely vote by mail. I'm in Maryland now, and the lines can get ridiculous! 8y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @AmyG yes!!! VOTE!!! @Crystallinegirl oh no, that stinks 😕 8y
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review
DocBrown
Pickpick

Admittedly one-sided but essential history of Voting Rights Act (1965). Interesting to see how a racial response to the growing political threat of African Americans morphed into a partisan strategy by the largely white GOP.