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Statement

STATEMENT OF Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director, CEO and Co-Founder, MomsRising, on Judge Blocking Provisions of Pennsylvania Voter Identification Law

October 2, 2012
MomsVote

Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996

MomsRising Leader Says Moms Disproportionately Affected by Voter ID Laws, Praises Blocking of Pennsylvania Law
“Today’s action by Judge Robert Simpson to block enforcement of  Pennsylvania’s draconian and unnecessary voter identification law is cause for celebration among women and moms everywhere! This law is one of many underhanded and unfair efforts to prevent citizens from exercising their constitutional right to vote.
 
“While many people don’t realize it, moms are among those disproportionately affected by voter ID laws, along with students, the elderly and people of color. With about half of first marriages ending in divorce, moms change their names more than most other groups and don’t always have time to change their names on various legal documents.  In fact, as many as a third of voting-age women – who have proof of citizenship – do not have documents with their current legal name.
 
“Election Day is the one day that we’re all equal – rich, poor, young, old, male or female – we all have one equal vote. The Pennsylvania law and others like it undermine that equality.
 
“Political pundits are anticipating a record turnout in this year’s presidential election and they expect women and mothers to play a pivotal role in the election results. Now, more than ever, we need to ensure that everyone who has the right to suffrage is able to exercise it.
 
“We, at MomsRising.org are encouraged by Judge Simpson’s wisdom and courage. We thank him for taking a stand to uphold our democracy, women's rights, and civil rights.”
 

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.