From the Coalition on Human Needs (http://www.chn.org):
Each day more politicians are declaring their candidacies for 2024. Things are going to get in full swing very soon — and, unfortunately, that includes legislation to further restrict access to the ballot box.
During the last Congress, Senators who opposed expanding voting rights used the filibuster to block sweeping voting rights reforms that would undo state level voter suppression laws. We must fight back and demand access to the ballot box for all Americans.
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act — named after the famed civil rights hero and former Congressman — would modernize and restore protections in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that were gutted in the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder (2013).
If passed, this critical legislation would mean equal access to the ballot box for many — especially those in rural areas, people with low incomes, and communities of color. Add your name to demand Congress pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act now at https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-congress-pass-the-john-lewis-voting-rights-advancement-act.
Jurisdictions with histories of voting discrimination would need to receive preclearance from the Department of Justice or a federal court before changing any voting laws and would have to allow voters to sue over gerrymandered maps that dilute the political power of communities of color. It also includes the Native American Voting Rights Act, which protects the rights of Native people who face unique barriers to voting due to living on reservations.1
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is a monumental piece of legislation that would transform voting in the United States by making it easier for eligible voters to access the ballot box. More than 19 states have passed voter suppression laws since 2020 and many are poised to pass even more restrictions this year.
As we head into another momentous presidential election year, it’s imperative that we ensure that every eligible voter has the tools and resources they need to make their voice heard at the ballot box.
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