Bala Cadambi

I have become aware of the many avenues for voter suppression:
- needing to vote in person (no mail in option, having to take time off from work, lack of transport, personal health, etc.)
- nearest ballot stations is not in their neighborhood
- loss of voting rights due to incarceration for petty or framed felonies
- threat of intimidation at the polling booth
- having to produce an ID (with risk of deportation)
I am sure there is a much longer list of systemic voting suppression, which I intend to continue to investigate and understand.  
So far, I've concluded that changes in both legislative policy and legal practice are necessary.  However, the levers pivot on the  history of denial and politics of power ... hence, the solutions are likely in people power and grass roots activism.  But meanwhile there's a hole in the voting bucket, when that same constituency cannot exercise their rights at the ballot.  The burden to restore lies with those who can. 

The houseless are most affected.  Climate change exacerbated the recent and ongoing forest fires on the west coast.  Those of us who have privilege were able to stay indoors, install air cleaners, arrange for deliveries, etc.  The houseless had no such luxury.  They continued to live on the street, breathe the smoke laden air, use public transport, rely on food pantries ... with likely no access to health care.