Peduto noted that only 11 nations of the world’s 119 do not specifically proscribe a right to vote in their constitutions. They are: The US, Great Britain, Azerbaijan, Chechnya, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Pakistan and Singapore.
“It’s time for the US to join the rest of the world,” he said. “I am pleased to be the second city to be chosen, but the first to be joined by a county executive, Rich Fitzgerald. Since elections are a county function, this is highly significant.”
Fitzgerald, who was joined by county Councilman John Defazio, said he asked county council to introduce a similar support resolution to that going before Pittsburgh council the following day.
Jackson said he went to Cincinnati because it was a depot for the Underground Railroad. Pittsburgh, he said, is a key city in a bellwether state.
“Next we have to get congress to stand on House Bill 44 because people don’t realize they don’t have a federally protected right to vote,” he said. “And if it can be eliminated by county schemes, then the right to vote is a sham.”
Jackson told the Courier he expects this battle to be longer, harder and more expensive than the fight against Voter ID, but it has to be fought.
“Mayors and city council people are so critical to this because they are closer to those they represent,” he said. “I expect the battle to now move to the radio airwaves, the Internet and the pulpits of the country.”
(Send comments to cmorrow@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
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