Protect Voting Rights: Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act
Each year, Americans will head to the polls to cast their vote and make their voices heard. In recent years, voters have unfortunately encountered significant barriers to participating in elections.
Following the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder — which struck down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act that protected voters in areas with a history of voting discrimination—states have erected barriers that disproportionately affect communities of color, the elderly, and young people. As a result, voters have seen stricter voter identification laws, limited voting times, restricted voter registration, inaccessible polling places. Racial minorities are among those hit hardest by these barriers.
The John Lewis Voting Rights Act (H.R. 4) — drafted in response to the decision in Shelby County — would strengthen voting rights by expanding and improving the government's ability to respond to voting discrimination by examining and addressing voting rights violations in states and localities. The VRAA would make changes to the preclearance process, which requires approval from the Department of Justice before states and localities can make changes to voting rights if they have a history of racially discriminatory voting practices. This bill works to respond to modern day barriers faced by voters across the country, increase transparency, and protect all Americans' right to vote.
We must ensure all individuals, particularly communities of color and disenfranchised voting populations, have equal access to the ballot box. It's time Congress took action to ensure all eligible voters can access the ballot box.
Tell your Members of Congress to cosponsor and pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act (H.R. 4)!