Protect our freedom to vote

The 2020 U.S. election was a test of the fundamental American value that everyone eligible to vote should be able to do so without interference, that all votes be fairly counted, and that the election be decided without partisan interference. Despite the pandemic and toxic political climate, election officials across the nation - Republican, Democrat and Independent - did their jobs and ran a clean election.

The bad news is that legislatures in many key states are passing laws that curtail basic voting rights and allow the legislature to simply reject the certified results of an election and replace it with an arbitrary and partisan result. Clearly, this is a threat to the very fabric of our democracy. Whatever our color, background or zip code, most of us believe that voters get to pick their elected officials, not the other way around.

In the face of all this anti-voter activity at the state level, Elders for Sound Democracy calls on the United States Congress to enact legislation protecting the freedom to vote.

We strongly support two essential voting rights bills - the comprehensive For the People Act, a groundbreaking package of election rights reforms that make it easier for individuals to vote, make redistricting more non-partisan, and make campaign finance fairer and more transparent, and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which restores essential provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

The House has already passed the For the People Act, and will soon take up the Lewis Act. Both face a tough battle in the evenly-divided Senate.

With your help, we'll make sure Congress understands that there is overwhelming public support for the freedom to vote unimpeded in a fair election. Please send your message now to make sure your voice is heard.