This is personal, Friend: Republican voter suppression stopped my voice from being heard

Friend, like millions of Americans, I live in a voter suppression state. Tennessee has specific and narrow laws around voter identification. Normally, I use my passport to vote. This time my passport was being renewed, so I went to figure out what other types of ID would work. I have a lot of IDs, but none of them individually or combined met TN's threshold for voting and I didn't have enough time to get one that did. I cast a provisional ballot (a story for another time, my goodness) and took my case to the county elections office, where a very nice person regretfully informed me that, despite my best efforts, my vote is unlikely to count in this municipal election. From volunteer to campaign manager to poll worker, I've held a number of electoral roles. I know where to find information, who to talk to when problems arise, and am able to take time off from work to fight for my right to vote. If my vote can be suppressed, then anyone's vote can be suppressed. Elections in battleground states will come down razor thin margins. Every single vote will make a difference, every single vote is critical. Most people are not thinking about whether they have the correct ID, if their polling location has changed, or how they will make time to vote. That's where civic engagement organizations can make a huge difference. Daily Kos has partnered with progressive organizations in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Texas that are doing the often invisible work of ensuring our voters don't experience what I experienced. Some organizations are well known power groups like New Georgia Project and LUCHA in Arizona. Others, like Radical Registrars in Texas and Wisconsin's Hmong American Women's Association, work in specific areas and with hard to reach communities. Their programs don't begin and end with voter registration. They build relationships with community members and continue to reach out with education, information, and support. By being trusted groups, they are able to protect our voters and defend their right to vote — from registration to casting a ballot to ensuring it's counted. [In 2020, these groups made the difference in securing Biden's win, Democratic control of Congress, ballot measures, and key judicial and statewide seats. They have a proven track record and rapport with frontline and progressive communities. Help ensure they have the resources needed to overcome Republican voter suppression by donating $10 — or whatever is meaningful to you, reader — today.]( [DONATE]( Still mad and still fighting, Monique Teal, Daily Kos Daily Kos Relies on Readers Like You We don't have billionaire backers like some right-wing media outlets. Half our revenue comes from readers like you, meaning we literally couldn't do this work without you. Can you chip in $5 right now to help Daily Kos keep fighting? [Chip in $5]( If you wish to donate by mail instead, please send a check to Daily Kos, PO Box 70036, Oakland, CA, 94612. Contributions to Daily Kos are not tax deductible. Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Daily Kos, please [click here](.