Team,

Two years ago, Terri introduced the Voting Rights Advancement Act -- later renamed to honor the late Congressman John Lewis -- in the House of Representatives, where it passed by a vote of 228-187.

Afterwards, however, the bill was stalled in Mitch McConnell’s Senate -- but Congressman Lewis spent his entire life fighting for equality and justice, so we can’t give up so easily. In honor of Black History Month -- and the enduring legacy of Rep. John Lewis -- we wanted to reach out and ask: will you sign on to be a citizen co-sponsor of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act?

Here’s some quick background folks: When the original Voting Rights Act passed in 1965, it included language to ensure that minority voters across the U.S. would be able to participate equally in the electoral process. But in 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that the formula used to determine which districts have a history of voting discrimination was unconstitutional.

Since then, states have passed more and more discriminatory changes to their voting practices, like instituting voter ID laws or changing polling places with little notice to voters. As we know, these actions disproportionately disadvantage people of color, low-income individuals, people with disabilities, and the elderly.

Congresswoman Sewell is working with voting rights stakeholders to enhance the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act ahead of introduction so that it can be ready for passage later this year.

Voting is a right guaranteed to every American citizen -- and yet, Republicans spent two years in the last Congress stalling on the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act. It’s time to pass this critical legislation -- will you sign on as a citizen co-sponsor?

The right to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy -- it is our duty to ensure that every single American is able to exercise that right.

Thank you,

-- Team Sewell