You need to pay attention to what's happening in Georgia, Jack.

Governor Brian Kemp just signed the latest in a series of arcane, draconian and discriminatory voter suppression laws introduced in state houses across the country. It restricts early voting, adds unnecessary voter ID requirements to verify ballots, limits access to ballot drop boxes, and makes giving a snack or bottle of water to a person waiting in line to vote a crime, 

Stacey Abrams called the law “Jim Crow 2.0”—and she’s absolutely right. 

It disproportionately disenfranchises Black and brown voters, feeds into a false narrative of “voter fraud” (perpetuated by, among others, Trump and Georgia Republicans), and attempts to tip the scales in favor of Republicans in future elections.

This law—and the hundreds of other voter suppression bills introduced in state legislatures across the country this year—are a reminder of just how urgently we need federal voting rights protections.

That’s why I joined Senator Raphael Warnock and Reps. James Clyburn and Nikema Williams in reintroducing the John Lewis Voter Empowerment Act. (You can add your name to become a Citizen Co-Sponsor of the bill here).

It was the honor of a lifetime to work alongside Congressman Lewis on this legislation, and I’m proud to continue the fight with three of our country’s most tireless voting rights advocates.

The John Lewis Voter Empowerment Act is a cornerstone of HR-1—the For the People Act. Here are some of the key elements, a number of which are already law in states across the country:

• Modernize voter registration, including requiring automatic voter registration and online voter registration;

• Improve access to the ballot box for vulnerable Americans, including people with disabilities and older Americans;

• Expand early voting and vote-by-mail;

• Prohibit deceptive tactics and voter intimidation, such as providing false information about elections to discourage voting;

• Restore federal voting rights to formerly incarcerated individuals with a criminal record.

It is absurd that voter suppression has somehow become the rallying cry of the Republican party—and we have to fight back and protect our Democracy. If you agree, please sign on as a Citizen Co-Sponsor of the John Lewis Voter Empowerment Act. We need your voice to pass this bill in the Senate.

Congressman Lewis spent his life protecting the right to vote—he called voting “the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society.” 

Now, it is on us to take up his mantle and continue the fight. 

Thank you for doing your part,
Kirsten

Become a Citizen Co-Sponsor of the John Lewis Voter Empowerment Act