America the Voiceless

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All Americans have a voice, but too many Americans face roadblocks when it comes to casting their votes. People who are waiting to become naturalized citizens, people who are undocumented, people who were once incarcerated and so many others are forced to watch from the sidelines as their fellow Americans vote in the next election. The hosts of this podcast, journalists Maria Elena Perez and Nikki Rojas, speak to lawmakers, historians, non-profit leaders and everyday people to unpack the barriers many Americans have to overcome to make sure that their voices are heard during the voting process. 

The North Star

  • Nov 5, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
  • weekly NEW EPISODES
  • 22m AVG DURATION
  • 13 EPISODES


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Latest episodes from America the Voiceless

12: Ep. 12 - Election Night

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2020 31:29


In the final episode, hosts Nikki Rojas and Maria Elena Perez will talk about the election results and circle back to the people/organizations that they interviewed to get their perspective on how the election went down.

11: Ep. 11 - The Struggles Citizens Face Getting to The Polls

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2020 21:58


Maria Elena Perez and Nikki Rojas discuss how difficult it is for some individuals to get to the polls on election day, and what organizations are doing to help get them there so they can express their right to vote. 

10: Ep. 10 - The Barriers People with Disabilities Face in the Voting Process

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2020 20:51


Nikki Rojas and Maria Elena Perez dig into the laws preventing Americans with mental and physical disabilities from getting to the polls.

9: Ep. 9 - The Lack of Voting Rights in Puerto Rico and Other U.S. Territories

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2020 25:43


Maria Elena Perez and Nikki Rojas unpack why Americans living in U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico, only have the right to vote during the primary elections.

8: Ep. 8 - The Tools of Modern-Day Voter Suppression

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2020 25:27


Hosts Nikki Rojas and Maria Elena Perez dig into the laws and tactics being used to suppress voters’ rights as Americans prepare to elect their next president. 

7: Ep. 7 - Native Americans: Their Fight For Voting Rights and Citizenship

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 21:11


Maria Elena Perez and Nikki Rojas delve into the history of Native Americans, who went from owning the land to being forced to fight for citizenship in the U.S. The hosts also discuss how voter ID laws particularly affect tribal nations.

6: Ep. 6 - How COVID-19 Stalled Legal Immigrants’ Dreams to Vote in November

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2020 20:30


In the second part of a two-episode look at how the voting process excludes immigrants, Nikki Rojas and Maria Elena Perez discuss how the coronavirus pandemic halted naturalization ceremonies, stopping legal immigrants from being able to vote in the general election.

5: Ep. 5 - How the Undocumented Are Overlooked In the Voting Process

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2020 20:51


In the first part of a two-episode look at how the voting process excludes immigrants, Maria Elena Perez and Nikki Rojas take a look at how undocumented immigrants can’t vote for the lawmakers responsible for their fate in this country.

4: Ep. 4 - Can Americans Who Are Currently or Formerly Incarcerated Vote?

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2020 22:49


Nikki Rojas and Maria Elena Perez dig into the roadblocks faced by Americans who navigate through the criminal justice system. Americans who have been incarcerated or are currently incarcerated often lose the right to vote and have difficulties regaining that right. We hear from Nicole Porter from The Sentencing Project, Dr. Jane Gubser from Cook County Jail and artist Natti from CunninLynguists.

3: Ep. 3 - A Look at the History of Black Voter Suppression

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2020 27:30


Maria Elena Perez and Nikki Rojas speak to Black historian and author Dr. Carol Anderson about the turbulent history of Black voter suppression and how those racist systems are still at play today.

2: Ep. 2 - Republicans: The Party of Voter Suppression?

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2020 21:45


In the second part of a two-episode look at the nation’s two main political parties, Maria Elena Perez and Nikki Rojas discuss instances where the Republican Party has blatantly suppressed voters. We hear from New Georgia Project executive director Nse Ufot and Harvard Kennedy professor Thomas Patterson

1: Ep. 1 - Are Democrats Really Trying to Maximize Voter Participation?

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2020 21:24


In the first part of a two-episode look at the nation’s two main political parties, Nikki Rojas and Maria Elena Perez speak to state Democrats and voting organization leaders about how well the Democratic Party is living up to its mission to “maximize voter participation for all Americans.” We hear from Colorado state Rep. Leslie Herod, Massachusetts state Sen. Becca Rausch, New Georgia Project executive director Nse Ufot and Center for Election Innovation & Research executive director David Becker. 

America the Voiceless Preview Episode

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2020 9:44


Fun, short conversation with both hosts talking a bit about their first time voting experiences and how that inspired them to come up with this podcast. Preview AV’s first episode on the Democratic Party.

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