As part of the YWCA’s Stand Against Racism, Rochester attorneys came together Thursday to discuss the past, present, and future of the right to vote.
On the minds of many in the room were numerous cases that have recently gone before the Supreme Court that affect voting rights around the nation—including the 2013 elimination of certain provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
President of the Rochester Black Bar Association Fatimat Reid says most of the changes in law have affected minority populations. She says although the many new voting laws have been passed in other states, but conversation remains relevant to the Rochester legal community.
“People just want to understand the issues around voting and how it affects them,” said Reid. “It's our ultimate voice! It your way of saying, "These are my rights. This is what I want for my community. This is what I want to occur, not only for myself, but for future generations." And now you’re preventing a large body of people from being able to even exercise such a fundamental right.”
Although many of the changes to voting laws are in Southern States, Forsyth says there are many improvements that can be made in New York to bring up the number of voters.
“47th out of 50 in terms of voter turnout. I would not characterize that as better; I would say that is worse. There is plenty of opportunity for change, change that would improve not only registration, but also voter turnout,” said Forsyth.
The first presenter, Professor of History at Monroe Community College, Mark Sample discussed the history of voting rights, including in Rochester.
“Susan B. Anthony, here in Rochester, going to vote when she was told she couldn't do it in 1872, being arrested, and then her trial in Canandaigua where the judge ordered the jury to vote guilty and did not even allow them to deliberate,” said Sample.