We appreciate that Senator Joe Manchin reaffirmed his commitment to protecting voting rights & strengthening our democracy with big bold reforms today. On behalf of our 1.5 million members and activists, including thousands in West Virginia, we look forward to working with Senator Manchin and the rest of the U.S. Senate to pass the For the People Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and other bills that will ensure everyday Americans have a voice in our country and our elected officials are working for us, not wealthy special interests. We believe that the For the People Act must stay robust and comprehensive, with bold solutions to meet the moment as state legislators across the country focus on creating new barriers to our freedom to vote.

As the former West Virginia Secretary of State, we know Senator Manchin understands how important it is to protect free and fair elections. During his time in the Senate, Senator Manchin has consistently sponsored or voted for pro-democracy reform bills, including co-sponsoring the For the People Act, John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and Democracy for All constitutional amendment in 2019. As the For the People Act goes through the Senate process in 2021, we fully expect Senator Manchin to support the bill again. At the end of the day, this bill is not about one senator, it’s about us – the people – and ensuring we all have a voice in our democracy.