Voting Rights Challenges

Voting Rights Challenges

Your Right to Vote is at Risk!

 

Over the last few years, there have been rising efforts and pieces of legislation introduced intended to continuously challenge and limit the voting rights of Americans across the nation. Most at-risk and under threat are Black, Brown and underserved communities where some of the new legislations are specifically targeted to limit access to polling stations, restrictions on absentee ballot voting and much more.

According to the Brenna Center For Justice, “between January 1st and December 7th 2021, at least 19 states passed 34 laws restricting access to voting and more than 440 bills with provisions that restrict voting access have been introduced in 49 states in the 2021 legislative sessions.” The Voting Rights Act of 1965 has seen constant challenges through the years that have created the space and opportunity for the influx of pieces of legislation.

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act has been the latest effort to restore the Voting Rights Act to full strength. At its core, its purpose would be to once again require states with histories of voter discrimination to receive approval from the Department of Justice or a federal court before enacting voting changes. The law is facing challenges as it looks to pass but the fight continues to see it go through.

It is important to take note of the actions taking place in your state and community, being aware of how your voting rights are being affected and actions you can take to challenge your local representatives.



Below are some key links for more information on the voting rights and suppression efforts underway and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act:

The Brennan Center For Justice - Voting Laws Roundup: February 2022

An overview of all the passed and introduced restrictive voting legislations across the nation:

Vote.org - Policy Explainer: John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

The Brennan Center For Justice - Debunking False Claims About the John Lewis Voting Rights Act

When We All Vote - How To Contact Your Member Of Congress To Support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act