John,
In a heartfelt message to the American people published just after his death, the Honorable John Lewis wrote,
“Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble. Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it… Though I am gone, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe.”
A young John Lewis joined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other activists in the historic crossing of the Selma Bridge in 1965, enduring bloody beatings by police officers to stand up nonviolently for the right to vote. This courageous protest led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), a landmark law that safeguarded the right to vote for millions of Americans.
For nearly five decades, the VRA enjoyed strong support from both parties. It required states with a history of voter suppression to obtain federal approval before implementing restrictive changes to voting laws -- ensuring all Americans would have access to the ballot box, regardless of race, income, or zip code.
However, in 2013, the Supreme Court’s ruling in Shelby County v. Holder dismantled these key protections, and unleashed a tsunami of state-level voter suppression laws. Since then, more than 100 restrictive voting laws have been enacted, disproportionately targeting Black, brown, Native, young, disabled, and low-income voters.
As we mark the 60th anniversary of that pivotal march, we must honor its legacy by restoring the full protections of the VRA by passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Send a message to your representative today and demand that they support this critical legislation. The future of our democracy depends on it.
The consequences of Shelby v. Holder have been devastating. The right to vote -- the very foundation of our democracy -- has been weakened by closing polling places, imposing harsh voter ID laws, purging voter rolls, and restricting early and mail-in voting. Without protections, millions of Americans already face unnecessary and discriminatory barriers to the ballot box.
This year Congress is considering another devastating law to further depress voting. The so-called “SAVE” Act would further restrict voting among women, people of color, low income, elderly, and naturalized citizens.
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is the essential counterbalance to these anti-democratic efforts. It will restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act by re-establishing federal oversight of changes in states with a history of discrimination. It will ensure that no community is denied fair access to the ballot.
Congress must act now. Passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is not just about restoring a law -- it is about reaffirming the promise of democracy. At a moment when President (not King) Trump has gone so far as to tweet “God Save the King” about himself, protecting the right to vote has never been more important.
Send a message to your representative today and demand that they support this critical legislation. The future of our democracy depends on it.
Thank you for protecting our democracy and upholding the fundamental right to vote.
- Amanda
Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund
