Democracy Project
Protecting our Vote!
The Democracy Project was formed in Nov. 2004 as an outgrowth of Memphis
Votes. In our work to register and empower the voters of Memphis it came
to our attention that there are many reforms in our local and national
electoral systems that need to take place in order for true democracy to
exist. The Democracy Project seeks to gain these reforms through grassroots
lobbying efforts geared at holding our elected representatives and the
election commision itself accountable to the cries of their constituaency
to make the system work for their good and not against it.
VVPAT: We Need a Paper Trail
On April 2, 2005, The Democracy Project co-sponsored an
Election Reform Forum, in conjunction with the April 4th Foundation. One
recommendation that came out of that Forum became the focus this
past year for the Democracy Project – approval of Voter Verified
Paper Audit Trail in all Shelby County Elections. This dream became a reality
in January of 2006 when, after intense pressure from the Democracy Project,
the Shelby County Commission included the purchase of a Voter Verifiable
Paper Trail with all new electronic voting machines.
Unfortunately, we have hit a roadblock in the process. The TN State Election
Commission has so far refused to certify these printers for use in our
elections, meaning that they cannot be installed on voting machines until
approved. Please contact State Election Commissions Chairman Brooke Thompson
and tell him you want him to ensure the integrity of our election by certifying
VVPAT.
Phone (615) 741-7956
Email tennessee.elections@state.tn.us
Election Re-Forum
The goal of the forum was to bring legislators, election commissioners
and the public together to discuss voting issues and possible election-related
reforms. This report synthesizes the information that came out of this
forum. It is hoped by all coalition partners that legislators and election
officials will use this report to not only keep in touch with various perspectives
on the discussed election issues, but to guide future decisions regarding
the relevant election-related topics.
The forum was a bi-partisan project of the Mid-South Peace and Justice
Center’s Democracy Project Committee, a coalition formed in the wake
of the November 2, 2004 presidential election. The coalition included both
organizations and individuals with interests in voter registration, education
and reform. It came together to creatively address some of the problems
and challenges its members faced in the process of registering, educating
and protecting voters.
The forum was divided into four panels on different voting issues. They
covered Voter Enfranchisement, Methods of Election, Felon Disenfranchisement,
and Voting Machines. The forum ended with a Wrap Up Session to summarize
the panel discussions and get feedback and additional comments from the
public.
Report on the Election Reform Forum
April 2, 2005 • Lemoyne Owen College
Read It First - Download Here
Contact Us to to Take Action
We do so much with what you give. Fund this work. It matters.