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Justice Department Expands Protections for Voting Rights and Election Integrity Ahead of Upcoming Elections

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division remains central in enforcing federal laws to protect citizens’ voting rights and eliminate poll discrimination,” officials said in the release. Through statutes including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Division is responsible for a range of protections.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 5, 2024

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By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

The Department of Justice has released a comprehensive plan to protect voting rights, prosecute election-related crimes, and secure upcoming elections from domestic and foreign threats. Through the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Division, National Security Division (NSD), and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide, the Justice Department said it wants to ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot free from discrimination, intimidation, and unlawful interference.

Civil Rights Division: Safeguarding Access for All Voters

“The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division remains central in enforcing federal laws to protect citizens’ voting rights and eliminate poll discrimination,” officials said in the release. Through statutes including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Division is responsible for a range of protections, including:

Preventing discriminatory voting practices that impact voters based on race, language, or disability.
Guard against intimidation and any attempts to prevent voters from accessing the polls.
Ensuring access to voting assistance for those with disabilities and non-English speakers in certain jurisdictions.
Provisional ballots should be provided for voters whose names do not appear on polling lists but who believe they are registered.
Securing absentee voting rights for U.S. service members stationed away from home and citizens living abroad.

“To address potential violations, officials noted that the Civil Rights Division has set up a hotline for complaints related to federal voting rights and a dedicated ADA hotline for issues concerning disability rights,” officials said. Reports can be submitted directly through the DOJ’s online portal, and Division attorneys are prepared to review complaints and coordinate responses with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country.

The department encourages individuals with ADA-related voting concerns to contact the ADA hotline, which provides specific guidance on the rights of individuals with disabilities to access voting facilities and ballots.

Criminal Division and Election Crime Prevention

The DOJ’s Criminal Division, in collaboration with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the FBI, also said it is addressing criminal conduct that undermines election integrity. District Election Officers (DEOs) within each U.S. Attorney’s Office oversee investigations into election crimes within their jurisdictions, ensuring complaints about election tampering or voter fraud are handled efficiently. Key areas of focus for the Criminal Division include:

Prosecuting federal election crimes such as ballot tampering, fraudulent registrations, and vote-buying.
Preventing unlawful threats or intimidation targeting election officials is critical for protecting election workers.
Ensuring postal and election official integrity by investigating claims of wrongdoing among those responsible for election-related duties.

Specially designated FBI agents are stationed at field offices nationwide to respond to complaints, with support from federal prosecutors at the Public Integrity Section in Washington, D.C. Further, local FBI offices remain accessible for public complaints concerning potential election crimes, with a complete list of contacts available on the DOJ and FBI websites.

The Justice Department also reminded the public to report violence or threats at polling places first to local authorities by calling 911, then to federal agencies for additional investigation.

National Security Division’s Election Defense Against Foreign Interference

In collaboration with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, the DOJ’s National Security Division announced it is deploying resources to counter potential foreign influence campaigns, cyber threats, and extremist actions targeting elections. Through its Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, the NSD noted that it’s monitoring covert information operations from foreign governments that may seek to interfere with election outcomes. Key initiatives within the National Security Division include:

Combatting disinformation on social media that could influence public perception of candidates or voting procedures.
Protecting against cyber-enabled attacks on voting infrastructure, managed by the NSD’s Cyber Section.
Mitigating violent extremism threats that could disrupt the safety and security of the election process.

NSD’s Counterterrorism Section added that it remains ready to address any credible threats of violence, partnering with U.S. Attorneys and FBI field offices to respond quickly and effectively to election-related security threats.

“As the election approaches, the Justice Department emphasizes the importance of vigilance and encourages citizens to report potential violations related to voting rights, election fraud, or security risks,” officials contended. Comprehensive resources for public complaints and protection information are available at justice.gov/voting and justice.gov/criminal/criminal-pin/election-crimes-branch.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org