The author of the letter “Citizens right to vote” (April 22, TribLIVE) incorrectly states that the “the Constitution of the United States does not make any reference to the individual citizens’ ‘right to vote.’ ”
Article 1, Section 2 states “(t)he House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States.” (Senators were originally appointed by state legislatures.)
The author is correct that voting rights are not included in the Bill of Rights. However, the 15th Amendment states that “(t)he right of Citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” The 19th Amendment states that “(t)he right of citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.”
Our Legislature is considering changes to state voting laws to protect “election integrity” — a far-right code word for voter suppression.
It is up to us to oppose the GOP’s anti-democratic campaign. Call your state representative and senator let them know that your vote must not be “denied or abridged.”
Michael Pardus
Hempfield