Did you know…
- The Constitution does not guarantee the right to vote and voting conditions are left up to individual states?
- A 2013 Supreme Court ruling led to 13 states removing eligible voters from their rosters and 16 states require a photo ID now to vote.
The For the People Act was introduced to Congress on Jan. 4, 2021 by Representative John P. Sarbanes of Maryland. The act sought to expand voting rights, reduce financial influence on campaigns (by requiring more transparency from super PACs to disclose big donors), ban gerrymandering of Congressional districts (a practice that has become the norm in elections and determining electoral votes), and “implement other anti-corruption measures for the purpose of fortifying our democracy.” The act was met with open arms by the Democrats, passing the House of Representatives at first, but unfortunately met its untimely end in the Senate, with the vote landing on a 50-50 draw. The draw was primarily due to a GOP-led filibuster that blocked the act from being passed.
There was a lot at stake with this act. Although it was not the only revolutionary voting rights act attempting to pass through Congress, it would have been the largest federally mandated expansion of voting rights since the 1960s, and many progressive voting rights activists were upset that GOP representatives were not willing to hear the act out in an open-floor debate.
The pathway is Congress must do their job. When the Voting Rights Act was adopted in 1965, people thought it was a long shot. It’s our jobs as civil rights organizations to make possible what other people think is impossible. We continue to push forward.
Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP
Democrats have taken this sentiment relayed by Johnson, now advocating for another voting rights act – the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Some states have implemented ways to limit the pool of voters – from voter ID laws to signature-matching requirements. The proposed act works to bar discrimination from the election process, as it requires that states with histories of racial discrimination receive permission from the federal government before they change their election procedures.
How to Get Involved in the Fight for Voting Rights
The proposal of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act makes it clear that many Congressional leaders are listening to their constituents and will not be stopped by opposing party members in the fight for true voter equality. Advocacy isn’t only reserved for our leaders in power. Your vote in any and EVERY election is important, and advocacy on the ground will ensure it counts.
There are three states – Arizona, Georgia, and New Hampshire – that are currently voting on bills that are voter suppressive. Arizona is considering passing legislation that would do things like get rid of the permanent early voting list, a list that automatically sends voters who join a ballot every election they are eligible to vote in. Georgia has two voter suppression bills on the docket: SB 241 and HB 531, which would add more ID requirements to vote by mail, restrict dropbox access, and restrict weekend voting, to name a few. New Hampshire is considering passing three pieces of legislation that would eliminate same-day voter registration and require extensive citizenship documentation. In the past, New Hampshire legislators proposed a bill called HB 429, which would have barred college IDs from being used as valid identification at the polls. Due to residents calling the representatives to voice their concern about HB 429, the bill was defeated.
One of the most effective ways to join the fight for voter’s rights is to contact your representatives. Consider sending them an email with this template! Do you live in Arizona, Georgia, or New Hampshire and oppose the new laws that make it harder to vote? Leave a voicemail with the help of these templates!
Looking for ways to keep others informed about the importance of voting, legislation changes happening in your state, or just looking to directly engage with voting issues? Consider hosting a virtual event with Rock The Vote, registering first-time voters or becoming a poll worker!
For more ways to get involved and resources about voting, check out these organizations!
- ACLU
- NAACP
- National Association of Social Workers
- Brennan Center for Justice
- League of Women Voters
- Rock The Vote
Looking to contact your state’s representatives? Check out these resources!
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What a great article!
Thank you so much!