CONGRESS MUST PASS THE JOHN R. LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ADVANCEMENT ACT OF 2021
UNITED STATES CONGRESS
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act restores and updates the popular civil rights protections that were included in the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 successfully prohibited discriminatory voting practices for decades, but a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Shelby Country v. Holder severely weakened the law. Subsequently, states and localities have pushed forward discriminatory changes to voting practices, including throughout Indian Country. A few months ago, the Montana Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights called a Montana 2021 voter suppression law “intentional discrimination” against Native Americans. The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act will restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act and will set a much-needed baseline level of access for Indigenous people, people of color, elders, low-income people, and people with disabilities.
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To:
UNITED STATES CONGRESS
From:
[Your Name]
Dear Members of Congress,
As we celebrate Indigenous People Day in California I am writing to urge you to pass S4 the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. If S4 is passed:
1) There will be improved access to voter registration, polling places and drop boxes in Indian Country.
2) S4 mandates acceptance of tribally or federally issued IDs where IDs are required,
3) The law permits tribes to designate buildings to use as addresses for registration.
4) The law will establish Native American voting task forces.
5) S4 requires pre-approval of any changes in election procedures.
6) S4 mandates culturally appropriate language assistance.
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act has come from many iterations. This version is the best and finally allows people of color better access to voting.
I urge you to vote to pass S4 NOW!
Thank you.