Common Cause is urging every member of the U.S. House of Representatives to vote “yes” on the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, “to ensure that voters can safely and freely cast their ballots, repair and strengthen the Voting Rights Act, protect against election sabotage, stop partisan and racial gerrymandering, and limit the influence of dark money in politics so that billionaires can’t buy elections.” The letter emphasizes that already this year, 19 states have enacted 34 restrictive voting laws that make it harder for Americans – particularly in Black and Brown communities – to have a say in choosing their elected leaders. The letter also notes that Common Cause plans to key-vote this legislation in our Democracy Scorecard, which we send to our 1.5 million members.

“Every American expects and deserves to have a say in the future and the direction of our nation, and it is critical to pass this legislation to protect the right of Americans to vote and to keep their voices from being drowned out by billionaires and deep-pocketed special interests,” said Common Cause president Karen Hobert Flynn. “Some Republican state legislators are systematically working to pick and choose who can vote and who can’t and who will have a say at the ballot box. Rigging the rules to ensure your own reelection is not democracy, and it must be stopped. This legislation will help ensure that the voice of every American is protected and that the voice of every American is heard by their elected officials as they weigh decisions that will impact all of our lives.”

The letter emphasizes that on top of the new voting restrictions, state legislatures are drawing and passing new gerrymandered maps that dilute the power of Black and Brown voters. It goes on to stress that the voices of everyday Americans are being drowned out by billionaires, special interests and dark-money groups trying to buy elections. The letter reminds Members that this legislation would fight back against all these various attacks on our democracy and every American’s right to have their voices heard in our elections.

To read the full letter, кликните сюда.