‘Mad or nah?’: Philly residents react to U.S. Senate battle over voting rights
P.O.C, a partner in WHYY’s News and Information Community Exchange, checked in to gauge residents' reactions to the U.S. Senate stalemate over voting rights.
Listen 5:47
An election worker hands a sheet of "I Voted Today" stickers to a voter in Philadelphia. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Sixty-five years have passed since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “Give us the Ballot” speech — which urged lawmakers to extend voting rights to African Americans — but the sentiments behind it have proven relevant.
Voting rights legislation, such as the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, no longer appears to have the bipartisan support it once enjoyed in the past and, as such, hangs in limbo.
Related Content
Philly civil rights advocates reflect on the continued ‘struggle’ for voting rights in America
WHYY and NewCORE marked MLK Day with a discussion of King’s 1957 "Give Us the Ballot" speech as the struggle for voting rights continues today.
3 years ago
What is the future of voting rights in America?
P.O.C, a partner in WHYY’s News and Information Community Exchange, hit the streets of Philadelphia to get residents’ reactions to the U.S. Senate stalemate over voting rights.
Never miss a moment with the WHYY Listen App!
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Part of the series
Mad or nah?
‘Mad or Nah?’ is an original woman-on-the-street interview series from Revive Radio that asks Philadelphians about issues impacting their everyday life.
Part of the series
N.I.C.E. Stories
Collaborative journalism from WHYY and our partners in the News & Information Community Exchange (N.I.C.E.) initiative.
Mail ballot challenges are dropped in Pennsylvania shortly after Election Day
Around 77% of more than 4,400 challenges were withdrawn on Wednesday or Thursday.
1 month ago
Pennsylvania updates guidance for incarcerated voters
“We know from the last two elections how close the ballot totals were,” said one voting advocate. “We want to make sure that these folks are counted.”
2 months ago
Listen 1:12
Voters with disabilities are feeling ignored by presidential candidates
A Rutgers University report says about 40 million U.S. voters are disabled. Advocates say they are less likely to receive political information and can face voting challenges.
2 months ago