MTV Street Team: I read the National Campaign for Fair Elections (NCFFE) works to make sure all voters have equal opportunity to cast a ballot. Can you explain and provide an example when an “equal opportunity” is not presented?

 

Eric: A perfect example, that is very much in the news because of the just handed down Supreme Court decision, is photo ID laws. These laws require all voters to present a government issued photo ID, often requiring both an expiration date and an address. Proponents of these laws say they’re needed to fight in-person voter fraud. However, supporters of these laws have repeatedly failed to show a single example of this type of fraud. 

 

These laws are really designed to do one thing, depress turnout among certain voters. They have a disproportionate impact on people of color, rural voters, young people, the homeless, low-income people, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, frequent movers, and persons in large households.

 

MTV Street Team: Young people? How so?

 

Eric: Young voters – especially college students – tend to be highly mobile, and may not have an in-state drivers’ license even though they vote there. Indiana compounds the problem by prohibiting students from using student IDs from private schools, and some colleges – like Purdue – don’t have expiration dates on their IDs. 

 

MTV Street Team: As you know, D.C. Voters are not given a vote in Congress...but they are allowed to vote in the Presidential Elections. Can you tell me about the challenges you've seen – if any – with D.C. voters participating in the Presidential Election?

 

Eric: The lack of Congressional representation is something I take very personally. Although I grew up outside of D.C., I’ve done a lot of work on local D.C. issues. I think it has attributed to a greater sense of apathy among some voters and has depressed turnout. I’ve heard from many residents in this city who don’t think it’s worth voting because their vote doesn’t mean anything. 

 

MTV Street Team: I understand theNCFFE runs something called Election Protection, which gets a bunch of volunteers to help people at the polls on voting days – and also provides a hotline for people to call if they experience problems. What is the 1-866-OUR VOTE hotline, and how do people use it?

 

Eric: The 1-866-OUR-VOTE hotline is a comprehensive voter services hotline. On Election Day it is staffed by fully trained volunteers who are on hand to answer any questions, in real-time, no matter how simple or complex. Young voters can call with any questions they have, from voter registration issues, to locating their polling place, to reporting instances of voter suppression or deception. 

 

The most important thing for students to do is know their rights and educate their friends and classmates. Of course, if they see this information, or are unsure, they should call 1-866-OUR-VOTE and we can help. 

 

MTV Street Team: Awesome, Eric. Thanks for doing this for the Street Team. Real quick, you have to tell. What’s your favorite spot in D.C. to catch up with your friends?

 

Eric: I love my neighborhood along the H Street NE corridor in DC, so I’d have to say the Argonaut or the Red & the Black.