Hi John --

As we gather with friends and family to watch the fireworks, it’s never been a better time to have a conversation about voting rights in our country. Right now, our democracy is at risk with lawmakers pushing unpopular voter suppression bills that put up barriers to silence voices based on what we look like or where we live.

One way you can make a difference is by making sure those around you know what’s at stake and the vital need to protect and strengthen voting rights for all Americans -- because for democracy to work for all of us, it must include all of us.

Here’s a great conversation guide to get it started. ⬇️

What is voter suppression?

States across the country have different laws that make it harder for some to vote, but throughout history -- even today -- there are efforts to suppress certain people from voting. Even after the 15th amendment gave Black men the right to vote (Black women had to continue the fight even after the 19th amendment passed) , casting a ballot still came with barriers. Black voters were denied access to the polls through literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation by white supremacist groups. Historically, voters of color and low-income voters have had their right to vote suppressed by those in power, and similar practices remain today -- just in new, more subtle ways.

In 2013, the Supreme Court gutted Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which previously required states with a history of racial discrimination in voting to submit all proposed voting changes to the U.S. Department of Justice. Now, left unchecked, states are enacting policies that inhibit equal participation in our democracy.

What is happening today?

Since a historic number of Americans, especially Black, Brown, and young people turned out to vote in the 2020 election, this year, lawmakers in at least 48 states have pushed voter suppression bills that put up barriers to silence voices based on what we look like or where we live. More than 400 bills have already been introduced and some have passed in states like Georgia, Arizona, and Florida.

What bills can expand our right to vote?

There are two bills at the federal level that strengthen our right to vote: The For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Passing the For the People Act is one of the most important things we can do to stop voter suppression at the state level and enact national standards for voting to ensure all of us have a say in key decisions like pandemic relief, criminal justice, immigration, healthcare, and education. The For the People Act has overwhelming support from Americans across party lines. Right now, is currently stalled in the Senate but so we need to keep up the pressure.. The John Lewis Voting Rights Act is currently awaiting being reintroduced in the House.

What’s next and what can we do?

Call your senators. A huge volume of calls, emails, letters and tweets on an issue places pressure on your member of Congress and their staff to put out a statement on their position or take legislative action.

Every single call helps determine whether or not YOUR senators will take action on the issue you’re contacting them about. ⬇️

CALL YOUR SENATORS

This weekend, let’s take action to make real and lasting change together.

Thanks for being part of our team,

When We All Vote