The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is a membership association that legislators and corporations pay to be a part of. In return, ALEC hands “model” bills from corporations to legislators advocating changes in the law to directly benefit the business’ bottom line.
Currently ALEC is pushing a “model” bill among its legislatures that has the power to disenfranchise more than 5 million people in upcoming elections. The bill supports new voter ID laws that require proof of identity, such as a driver’s license, in the polls. Those who don’t have an ID can obtain a free ID from designated offices in their communities.
It doesn’t sound too terrible does it?
Well think about this: Low-income, minority, elderly and students who do not have a driver’s licenses.
But the bill provides free IDs right?
Are the offices providing these IDs going to be in the communities with the greatest need? Probably not. Will they be accessible and have accommodating hours for the people who will need them? Probably not.
Going to get one of these free IDs is burdensome and will discourage individuals who might vote otherwise. It requires awareness and planning.
More than 100,000 CREDO activists, along with 85,000 ColorOfChange members have called on corporations to stop supporting ALEC because of its role in voter suppression. Last week, corporations including Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonalds, Mars, Kraft Foods and Intuit ended their relationship with ALEC, but many other large corporations continue to fund ALEC. AT&T is one of them.
ColorOfChange has repeatedly contacted AT&T by phone and email to make sure they know what their membership in ALEC funds. They have yet to respond.
AT&T’s financial support of ALEC must end. Tell AT&T to stop supporting ALEC and voter suppression. Sign the petition here.
I am writing for urge AT&T to immediately stop supporting ALEC and voter suppression. I am a current Internet service customer of AT&T and I have been patiently waiting for your Company to do the right thing. I am also an African American and see the actions of ALEC, and your support of them, personally appalling and not representative of an American Company that supports it’s costumers values. I am currently looking for a new internet service provider that is in line more with my interests and values, and plan to switch in the very near future if your Company continues to support AlEC and it’s war on the American people!
If at&t continues to supports ALEC, an extreme right wing organization, I will find another company for my Internet and phone service.