Voting Rights
My personal experiences in Florida in recent elections testify to a simple fact: Voter suppression remains a serious threat to civil rights in 21st Century America. Marathon voting lines for low-income and minority groups, reduced early voting hours, voters purges, and voter registration restrictions, remain endemic. While our nation has made progress since the passage of the Voting Rights Act, voter discrimination remains a reality.
As a result of voters in Florida having to contend with long lines and long wait times to cast their vote on Election Day 2012, I formally requested a review by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).
To read the study, please visit this link: https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-14-850
More on Voting Rights
To say that I am deeply disappointed by the Florida Supreme Court's decision to approve the redistricting map drawn by the Fair Districts Coalition is a gross understatement. From the start, I strongly opposed the map known as CP-1 because it strips from District 24 several economic drivers and cultural attractions and threatens to return our community to its former status as the nation's "most suffering" district. CP-1 removes from the district PortMiami, Bayside marketplace, AmericanAirlines Arena, Watson Island, Jungle Island/Parrot Island, and Bayfront Park, to name a few.
MIAMI - Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24) issued the following statement today in recognition of Black History Month:
"As we recognize and honor the accomplishments of the African-American community and celebrate its rich history during Black History Month, let us also reflect on the long road and hard fought battles to obtain racial equality.