Secretary of State Project: The next battle to prevent Republicans stealing elections

This comes from the Secretary of State Project:

When Tom Tancredo suggested that we go back to administering literacy tests for voters at the Tea Party Convention, the crowd went wild. Yes, the same literacy tests used in this country for over 70 years to stop black voters from casting their ballots.

We know that their tactics don't stop there. In 2008, the right wing tried to turn away voters in Michigan whose addresses appeared on foreclosure lists. This action was not only illegal, but it preyed upon those hit hardest, and earliest, by the recession. Are you willing to allow Republicans to retain control over the administration of elections in Michigan?

We can be sure that in 2010, the right wing will try triply hard to continue to disenfranchise voters who have historically faced barriers to voting.

That's why we're launching our campaign to "Count Every Vote" in Michigan and endorsing a truly progressive candidate who has fought for voters' rights there and across the country, Jocelyn Benson.

Help us protect the election in Michigan by donating $20 by February 28th!

The Secretary of State Project is dedicated to electing chief elections officers who will protect every single voter's rights, and Jocelyn Benson is no exception.

Benson started her career working in Montgomery, Alabama, the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement, where she was instilled with a sense of responsibility for continuing the work of the voting rights advocates who risked their lives so every person can exercise their rights to cast their vote. In 2008 she helped lead the fight to stop the Republican Secretary of State and the Republican Party from purging foreclosure victims from the voter files. Four years earlier, Benson ran a voter protection campaign in 21 states, deploying 17,000 trained election law lawyers across the country. This is the kind of leader we need in to protect voters in Michigan and across the country.

Dollar for dollar, the SoS Project is one of the most effective political investments you can make. We run smart, targeted campaigns with proven results in key battleground states. By making a small contribution today, you can make sure unethical Secretaries of State never get to suppress our votes again.

Donate $20 now to help us build a strong campaign in Michigan today!

Why give early in Michigan? Early support in Michigan will allow us to help a truly progressive candidate to lock up the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State. This is our chance to make the fight win the Secretary of State race in 2010 about electing a progressive champion, not just about wresting control of Michigan elections away from Republican party operatives.

Thank you for all that you do to help protect the vote!

Becky Bond
Co-Founder, Secretary of State Project

I cannot emphasize enough how important this is. Please help if you can.