John,

For generations, Black Americans fought tirelessly for the right to vote, overcoming violence, intimidation, and systemic barriers through civil rights organizations and leaders like Congressman John Lewis, who organized marches, sit-ins, and voter registration drives. One of the most pivotal moments came on March 7, 1965, when peaceful demonstrators crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, were brutally attacked by state troopers on what became known as Bloody Sunday — sparking public support for voting rights.

In response, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965 — a hard-won victory ensuring federal protections against voter suppression. For decades, the VRA protected millions of voters. But in 2013, the Supreme Court gutted those protections in Shelby County v. Holder, unleashing a wave of voter suppression laws that disproportionately impact Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities.

Today, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is the solution. This critical piece of legislation would ensure any changes to voting rules that discriminate against voters based on race or background are federally reviewed, so we all have an equal say in our future, and our rights are protected.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Since Shelby, nearly 114 restrictive voting laws have passed in 31 states, disproportionately affecting communities of color.
States have enacted harsh voter ID laws, purging thousands of eligible voters from the rolls.
Access to multilingual voting materials, early voting, and polling locations have been drastically reduced.
Gerrymandering continues to threaten Black and Brown political power, making fair representation nearly impossible.
The 2024 election cycle saw a record number of lawsuits aimed at suppressing votes, proving voter suppression is alive and well.

This is a pivotal moment in the fight for voting rights. For democracy to work for ALL of us, it must include ALL of us. That’s why, with your help, we must continue to fight to expand access to the ballot box and increase voter participation in every election. Passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is critical to dismantling racist barriers to voting.

In the words of the late Congressman John Lewis: “Time is of the essence to preserve the integrity and promises of our Democracy.” Yet, some are doing everything they can to make it harder for us to make our voices heard. Now more than ever, it’s time to recommit to Congressman John Lewis's work to ensure that ALL Americans exercise the right to vote.

Yours in the fight,

— When We All Vote 🗳️