The South Bend Common Council passed a resolution on Monday against voter suppression efforts from state and federal legislators.
The resolution condemns any legislative action that has the “intent, effect or appearance” of suppressing the right to vote.
It comes after states like Georgia have enacted more restrictive voting laws, and a controversial bill in the Indiana Senate that would have made absentee voting more difficult.
Councilwoman Lori Hamann, who sponsored the resolution, said access to voting should be a nonpartisan issue.
“Being able to vote is a right on either side or the middle of the aisle," Hamann said. "When you restrict voting for one group, you restrict it for everyone."
Several community organizations supported the resolution, including Black Lives Matter – South Bend, La Casa de Amistad, and the local chapter of Faith in Indiana.
Hamann said copies of the resolution will be sent to state and federal legislators from Northern Indiana.
Contact Gemma atgdicarlo@wvpe.orgor follow her on Twitter at@gemma_dicarlo.
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