Today is Valentine's Day, and it's also Oregon's 164th birthday.

One of the many reasons I love Oregon is that we make it easy and convenient for people to vote. The ballot and the voter's pamphlet are mailed to every registered voter. Oregonians can sit at their kitchen table and make informed choices. And in this past election, Oregon led the nation in voter turnout.

But voter suppression is rampant in many places across the country. Long lines, irregular polling hours, and racist voter ID laws make voting nearly impossible for too many people. It's wrong and it's undemocratic.

I am doing all I can to make voting more accessible, no matter your zip code.

In Congress, I'm advocating to expand vote-by-mail and automatic voter registration to every corner of the U.S. because exercising your right to vote shouldn't be complicated. I am joining many of my colleagues in calling to lower the voting age from 18 to 16. If you are old enough to pay taxes, you should have a say in your representation.

Our accomplishments in Oregon give me hope for the future. Together, we can protect our democracy so everyone's voice is heard.

Thank you for standing with me,

Suzanne