Dear John, 

Though America is divided by political differences, we are united by a set of common values. One of these values is freedom. No matter where we live or who we are, Americans want free and fair elections that give everyone the chance to make their voices heard on important issues like healthcare, education, and jobs. The freedom to vote and participate in our democracy is key to who we are as a nation. But this freedom is under attack. 

Extremist lawmakers in every state have introduced bills to prevent young, Black, Brown, and low-income Americans from accessing the ballot box. Just this year, over 400 voter suppression bills have been introduced in state legislatures (1). And, as state lawmakers and officials begin to draw new maps for state and federal districts, bad actors are already moving to create unfair divisions that will give certain voters more power than others.

For months, Americans have been fighting to make sure that everyone, regardless of race, age, or income, has the freedom to vote. Last week, we saw the results of our advocacy: lawmakers introduced the Freedom to Vote Act in the House and Senate. This legislation, a revised version of the For the People Act, is a game-changer. It will curb voter suppression laws, ban partisan gerrymandering, and reform our broken campaign finance system, which allows powerful donors to buy politicians. It’s exactly what we need to save our democracy.

If we want to pass the Freedom to Vote Act, we need your help. Contact your representatives and ask for their support to ensure that every American is able to vote in free and fair elections. Together, we can protect freedom in America.

In power, 

Charlotte Hancock
Senior Director
Generation Progress

P.S. After taking action on the Freedom to Vote Act, tell your representatives to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Citations:

(1) https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/voting-laws-roundup-july-2021