By State Representative Debra Entenman
These days, I often find myself reflecting on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and it’s not his eloquent speeches or peaceful protests that I dwell on. It is the right to vote that he once famously called the “foundation stone for political action,” and it is that foundational right that I worry about most. Because that right is under attack.
In Washington state and across the nation, we honor Dr. King not only as a remarkable individual but as a symbol of a broader cause: the fight for equality and justice. Dr. King’s vision was of an America where democracy serves everyone, where all are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights. This vision remains partially unfulfilled, as voting rights continue to be under siege.
Presently, our nation is witnessing a disconcerting trend: an onslaught of policies and laws that systematically restrict access to the ballot box, especially targeting communities of color and other historically marginalized groups. Since this rush to restrict voting access began after the 2020 election, at least 322 restrictive bills were introduced in 45 states, with 11 states enacting 13 laws making voting more difficult in the first few months of last year alone (Brennan Center for Justice). Washington state was no exception, with policies proposed such as not allowing ballots to be forwarded (HB 1816), ending mail in voting and requiring in-person voting (HB 1377), requiring audits of duplicative ballots conducted by a private company (HB 1506), and many more challenging the integrity of our election process and requiring unnecessary and costly audits. These laws are often sold to us as “election integrity” measures but in reality, are contemporary tools of voter suppression.
Despite the relentless attempts to dilute and deprive the right to vote, Washington state has made progress to protect and expand access to the ballot. In 2018, the Legislature passed an Access to Democracy package which includes the Washington Voting Rights Act (SB 6002), allowing disenfranchised communities to collaborate on election remedies, and measures like Same-Day Registration (SB 6021) and Automatic Registration (HB 2595), which significantly enhance voter accessibility. Additionally, Youth Voter Pre-Registration (HB 1513) and the DISCLOSE Act (SB 5991) are pivotal in engaging our youth early and ensuring transparency in political funding.
The most recent session, in 2023, saw the passage of the Washington Voting Rights Act 2.0 (HB 1048) which lowers the barrier for communities to access the promise of the WVRA in their local jurisdictions, a new law to make it easier for Washingtonians to register to vote online (SB 5208), and an update to automatic voter registration which makes the system faster and easier (SB 5112).
Despite these advancements, more needs to be done. In the 2024 session, that includes advocating for bills like House Bill 1475, which proposes an online portal for ballot returns, House Bill 1882to shift city general elections to even-numbered years to boost voter participation, and House Bill 1885 to ban foreign-influenced corporations from spending money to impact Washington campaigns and initiatives. These are not just legislative proposals; they are steps towards realizing the democratic society Dr. King envisioned.
In his poignant 1957 speech, “Give Us the Ballot,” Dr. King remarked, “So long as I do not firmly and irrevocably possess the right to vote I do not possess myself.” This underlines the existential importance of voting rights. It is not just a political issue but a matter of personal agency and dignity.
We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s history. The fight for voting rights is as relevant today as it was during the Civil Rights Movement. This fight is not about political gain; it is about ensuring that our government mirrors the diversity and values of its people.
To truly honor Dr. King, we must move beyond commemorative statues and celebratory speeches. We need to take concrete actions and implement policies that safeguard the fundamental right to vote. Let us honor his memory by continuing his work, ensuring that every citizen has unfettered access to the ballot and the ability to choose their representatives freely. In doing so, we move closer to the just democracy that Dr. King dreamed of — a dream that we must turn into reality.