Friends,

Last week, when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris accepted the nominations for president and vice president, I like many others was filled with so much hope for the future of America. But now, as the GOP prepares to officially nominate President Trump for reelection, I feel infuriated. 

I’m infuriated that, on top of blindly supporting a president with such an unforgivable record of blatant abuse of power, the GOP is coalescing around President Trump’s transparent attempts to suppress the vote. From closing polling stations to dismantling vote-by-mail efforts to threatening to postpone the election, the GOP is doing everything they can to steal millions of Americans' right to vote.

A leader who resorts to voter suppression in order to win is not aligned with our democratic values, friends. These are the tactics of authoritarian strongmen – the very ones that President Trump loves to talk up. That’s why it’s never been more important to band together and restore the Voting Rights Act. We must ensure EVERYONE has the right to vote this November – and with Election Day on our doorsteps, I urgently need you to add your name next to mine and demand Congress restore the Voting Rights Act.

Before this petition closes at 11:59 p.m. tonight, will you add your name to demand Congress restore the Voting Rights Act to combat GOP voter suppression and ensure that EVERY American has their voice heard at the ballot box?

Republican efforts to diminish voting rights began long before President Trump took the Oval Office. When the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in 2013, GOP governors and state legislatures went into overdrive to institute unjust voter ID laws, purge voter rolls and close polling stations. Now, President Trump is taking these attacks to an unprecedented level – trampling all over everything civil rights icons like John Lewis fought, and bled, to achieve.

As Congressman Lewis once said, “The right to vote is precious and almost sacred, and one of the most important blessings of our democracy. Today we must be vigilant in protecting that blessing.”

We cannot let Republicans go unchecked — because if we don’t stand up and speak out against injustice now, we may not have the chance to speak up against injustice later. That’s why I’m counting on you to follow in John Lewis’ footsteps and make your voice heard by becoming one of the 2,492 more Americans committed to voting rights we need to sign our petition by MIDNIGHT tonight: 

Will you sign your name to demand Congress restore the Voting Rights Act before our petition closes at midnight?

Thank you for speaking out and taking a stand for what's right, friends. 

Congresswoman Val Demings