John,

Fifty-nine years ago today, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law, significantly improving access to the ballot box for millions of Americans. This landmark Civil Rights Era legislation protected voters from discriminatory laws, needless barriers, and partisan dirty tricks.

But in the years since, voting rights progress has stagnated and — in some cases — reversed. Tell the Senate: protect EVERY American’s right to vote by passing the Freedom to Vote Act and John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act >>

PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS

For nearly 50 years, the VRA stopped thousands of bad laws from taking effect by requiring that the Department of Justice approve any changes to voting in states and localities with a history of voting discrimination.

But in 2013, the Supreme Court gutted the law, inviting opportunistic politicians to launch a series of attacks on our right to vote. In the past decade, dozens of restrictive state-level voting laws have been enacted by power-hungry politicians.

Just as bad, many lawmakers across the country are elected to heavily gerrymandered districts that they themselves created. And in some cases, politicians are funded by secretive dark money groups that wield unreasonable levels of influence.

These massive problems require bold solutions.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would protect our democracy from the outrageous, conspiracy-fueled, anti-voter laws partisan politicians have pushed through in states like Texas, Georgia, and Florida – and the Freedom to Vote Act would put policies in place to end gerrymandering, reduce the influence of big money, and expand the rights of all voters.

John, we need you with us now more than ever. Add your name to urge Congress to take bold action and defend our right to vote by passing the Freedom to Vote Act and John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act >>

TAKE ACTION

Thank you for your continued support in this fight. With your help, we’re fighting for a democracy where EVERY voter can cast their ballot on Election Day – free from obstruction or intimidation.

Aaron Scherb, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs
and the team at Common Cause

P.S. For a deeper look into the ongoing challenges faced by voters of color and the promise of the Voting Rights Act, read our latest blog post by Common Cause President & CEO Virginia Kase Solomón here >>

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