Last month I wrote about the racist roots of the filibuster and the oppressive nature of its structure systematically designed to stifle legislation and keep our communities disenfranchised ("Undemocratic process," April 15). A system created not to uphold First Amendment rights, but instead to oppress the people that it impacts the most. My fans in the comment section will be excited to hear that I am back this week to expand on exactly that—how a few powerful people are deliberately disenfranchising voters one step at a time.
You've heard about voter suppression in Georgia, Florida, and Texas, but now it's right here at home in SLO County. While most of our community members are hard at work following COVID-19 restrictions, providing the essential services our communities rely on, and keeping their families afloat during an incredibly challenging year, the SLO County Board of Supervisors' Republican majority is making decisions to keep us out of the ballot box. While we struggle to survive, there is a quiet but overt strategy happening in SLO County to keep working people from having their voices heard and their votes counted.