Michigan has voted to ban ubering to polls. This adds to the slew of voter suppression measures across the country. This information is from Democracy Docket. Here is an excerpt:
Voter suppression laws are not unique to 2021. For decades, Republican state legislatures have written, passed and defended disenfranchising laws for every step of the voting process. In Michigan, a challenge to the state’s voter transportation ban—originally brought in 2019 —is still being litigated. Here’s what you need to know about Priorities USA v. Nessel.
How did we get here?
A full year ahead of the 2020 election, progressive advocacy organization Priorities USA sued Michigan over two specific election laws: the voter transportation ban and the absentee ballot organizing ban. Both of these restrictions create unnecessary hurdles for eligible voters to cast their ballots, and particularly affect people without access to private transportation. In January, 2020, student group Rise, Inc. and labor group A. Philip Randolph Institute joined the lawsuit.
Michigan’s voter transportation ban prohibits anyone from hiring transportation for bringing voters to the polls unless the voters are physically unable to walk. The possible penalty for helping someone get a ride to the polls is a $500 fine and up to 90 days in prison.This ban severely hinders get-out-the-vote campaigns that often include initiatives that focus on giving rides to disabled voters, Black church communities, and other groups who do not have easy access to transportation. This ban is unique to Michigan. For example, in 2018 Uber and Lyft provided promotions to help voters in every other state to get to the polls, but Michiganders could not take part.
Read the full article here.
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