Leading Civil Rights Group on the Introduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in the US House of Representatives
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National Black Justice Coalition Says Legislation, Which Would Preemptively Block Discriminatory Voter Suppression Policies, is Critical for Protecting Democracy
WASHINGTON, DC — Moments ago, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation would restore and strengthen our freedom to vote by making sure that any changes to voting rules that could discriminate against voters based on our race or background are federally reviewed, so we all have an equal say in our future and our rights are protected.
Celebrating the legislation’s introduction, David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, a leading U.S. civil rights organization, issued the following statement:
“For democracy to work for all of us, it must be designed for all of us, which is why the National Black Justice Coalition celebrates the introduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in the US House of Representatives and urges members of Congress to move swiftly to enact this bill into law.
“Now, more than ever, this legislation is critical to safeguarding our democracy. Just this year alone, 18 states have enacted 30 laws that restrict voting access. These laws, targeting primarily people of color and low-income people – make mail voting and early voting more difficult, impose harsher voter ID requirements that disadvantage frequent movers, trans, and gender non-conforming people, and make faulty voter purges more likely. An additional 400 bills restricting voting access have been introduced in 49 states across the United States this legislative session. This is a strategic attack on the right to vote and. This is a strategic attack on our democracy.
“The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore a critically important portion of the Voting Rights Act that blocks discriminatory voting policies before they go into effect, putting a transparent process in place for protecting everyone’s access to vote.
“If we are to honor the legacy and good trouble made by those who made the Voting Rights Act of 1965 a reality, we must do everything in our power to fight these laws and ensure access to the polls for all Americans.”
