John,

Voting rights are sacred to democracy. As we celebrate Black History Month, we also honor the struggle of so many generations who came before us to have an equal say in determining our nation’s future.

The late John Lewis, icon of the Civil Rights Movement, understood that. He knew there could be no true American democracy when Black citizens were denied the right to vote. So he stirred up good trouble, necessary trouble as he’d say, and helped push the Voting Rights Act of 1965 over the finish line.

He didn’t stop there. Congressman Lewis went on to serve the people of Georgia for decades in Congress, continuing his advocacy for voting rights over his entire lifetime. If only all of our public servants shared his commitment that is so fundamental to our democracy.

Today, we have a much different environment. The 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder weakened the Voting Rights Act, and in the years since, GOP state legislatures have passed blatant racial or partisan gerrymanders and targeted restrictions on voting into law.

As of this month, 73 total court cases challenging unfairly drawn congressional maps have been filed in 27 states. That’s over half of our nation.

Just last year, seven states passed laws to make it harder to vote.

And the GOP lawmakers behind these attacks absolutely know what message they’re sending when they push for these restrictions — like when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proposed a map in Florida that wiped out two historically Black districts. It is wrong.

Their plot to undermine our democracy by passing rigged maps and restricting the people’s vote undoubtedly helped elect the new Republican House majority.

It’s frustrating, and it’s designed to make us feel hopeless. But John, we cannot sit back and allow these injustices to continue.

The Senate needs to take action to protect voting rights. If you agree, add your name to my petition calling for enhanced voting rights legislation to pass the Senate.

Thank you for standing up for arguably our most sacred right.

With love and gratitude,

Cory