The language and intent was crystal clear. The 1965 Voting Rights Act — signed by President Lyndon Johnson just months after the vicious “Bloody Sunday” attacks in Selma on John Lewis and other civil rights marchers — was intended to END discriminatory voting laws across the country.

That was 56 years ago today.

The Voting Rights Act introduced critical federal protections on the right to vote and empowered the Department of Justice to stop discriminatory voting laws in their tracks.

But eight years ago, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, gutted the Voting Rights Act. And now, Republican-controlled legislatures across the country are enacting dangerous new laws designed to make it more difficult to vote and targeting people of color and younger voters. They are also giving partisan committees the power to potentially overturn the outcome of a free and fair election. This danger is greatest in states that have long sought to silence those who have historically been denied access to the ballot box.

This is an active threat to the legitimacy of our elections. And only federal action can stop it. This must be a priority.

If you agree, please add your name next to mine on this anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to call for immediate federal action to protect voting rights across our country >>

Those inspired by Donald Trump’s “Big Lie,” and enabled by Republican leaders like Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy, are determined to have the final say on the outcome of future elections.

We can’t let that happen.

Join me to call for urgent action to pass federal voting rights legislation to stop the assault on our democracy >>

It’s up to us to protect the most fundamental right in our democracy — that the people elect their representatives.

Thank you for being a partner in this mission,

Chris