Citizenship Day and Voting Rights

Today is National Citizenship Day and I'd like to celebrate with you by remembering the poll tax. Why? Because voting is a right that all US Citizens possess, regardless of gender, race, religion, socio-economic status, or political party.

There was a time when not all US Citizens were allowed to exercise that right; one method of suppression was through Poll Taxes. These photos are actual poll taxes from as recently as the late 50's in this country! My grandmother, Delia Mae Jones, lived in that era, and so held voting to a very high esteem. Delia Mae dressed up to go vote, as a proud citizen of this country exercising her rights! She, like many people still today, chose to vote on Election Day, instead of taking advantage of early voting.

The problem in Denton County, District 3, today is that on Election Day your voting location will likely be different from year-to-year. If my grandmother lived alone, had transportation challenges, or had to rely on technology to identify and find her voting location, this system would seem no different than a new poll tax. As County Commissioner, I will advocate for central Voting Centers so that the many seniors in SE Lewisville (who remind me of my beloved grandmother) will be assured, after standing in long lines, that they are at the right location... because ANY voting location will be accessible and right.

On November 3rd, my grandmother will look down from heaven with pride, seeing her name on the ballot, because we share the same name. I can’t even image how that will make her feel, but I hope she will also be proud of the Citizen I am today.

Happy Citizenship Day. Please celebrate it by exercising your right to vote, despite any obstacle.

#TXDemocrats #LewisvilleTX #votingrights #DentonCounty #CountyCommissioner #citizenshipday #nonewpolltax #DeliaforTX #DeliaMae #vote #getoutthevote