1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The fundamental right to vote is under threat, and I urge you to take immediate action by supporting the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 14). This crucial legislation aims to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which has been significantly weakened by recent Supreme Court decisions. Since the Shelby County v. Holder decision in 2013, we've witnessed a disturbing trend of states enacting laws that make it harder for people to vote, particularly impacting communities of color. This has resulted in a growing racial turnout gap in our elections, undermining the very foundation of our democracy. The John Lewis Act would create a new, modernized framework to determine which jurisdictions require preclearance for voting changes. It would also add preclearance requirements for practices like voter ID laws and restore Section 2, allowing voters to challenge discriminatory laws effectively. While this bill has already passed the House, it faces obstacles in the Senate due to the filibuster. I implore you to work across the aisle to build support for this vital legislation. The integrity of our electoral process and the equal right to vote for all citizens must transcend partisan politics. By supporting H.R. 14, you have the opportunity to safeguard the voting rights of millions of Americans and ensure that our democracy remains strong and inclusive. The time to act is now, before more restrictive voting laws are enacted and the racial turnout gap widens further. I urge you to make the passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act a top priority in your legislative agenda.