Voting Rights – Hard to Come By, And Easy to Lose!

Voting is recognized by most people to be the foundation of a democratic system of government but, in the USA, for whom was the right to vote originally intended? And although today what was originally intended has been expanded to other groups, citizen participation in government really only begins with voting. More is required before and after casting a vote to be sure that the government hears us… and that we can even keep our right to vote! So, after the general election of 2023 and looking towards the 2024 elections, let us discuss what is at stake to maintain today’s multicultural, multiracial, multiethnic democracy. This program is made possible by the Friends and Foundation of Albany Public Library.

Speaker: Regina M. Tillman

Guest Speaker Bio: 

Settling in Albany after a 27-year career in various locations in the NE with the Veterans Administration, Ms. Tillman’s retirement was followed by a 10-year stint with Cornell Cooperative Extension. Since then, she has enjoyed both volunteer work and time-limited part-time gigs that offer opportunities to both share and expand her knowledge and skills. Ms. Tillman’s retirement continues with memberships and board appointments with several civic and good government organizations. Additionally, she has been the volunteer Project Coordinator for the Capital Area’s Coalition for Civic Education and Voting Registration in County Jails since helping to create it in 2018 and is always in search of volunteers, and partnering agencies, for this project!