Washington, D.C. — Today, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) reintroduced the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in the Senate, which would restore and strengthen key protections in the Voting Rights Act that have been gutted by the Supreme Court. The legislation would help eliminate discriminatory voting measures and restore voters’ ability to challenge bad election laws. In response, Danielle Root, director of voting rights and access to justice at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
The Senate should move swiftly to pass this measure so that Americans can challenge discriminatory voting laws and protect their fundamental right to vote. The urgency has never been greater, as states around the country have introduced hundreds of anti-voting bills, many of which have already become law. These state laws are a blatant attempt to prevent Black, Indigenous, and other people of color from voting. They also disproportionately harm disabled voters and young people. Now that the House has passed this measure, the Senate must act quickly to protect Americans’ constitutional rights.
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