Voting Rights Are Being Dismantled by Misinformation: Pass John Lewis Act Now

Tarrant County's decision to eliminate over 100 Election Day polling sites and halve early voting poses a significant threat to equal access to the ballot, particularly affecting seniors, low-income communities, and those without reliable transportation. Research indicates that even minor increases in distance to polling places can decrease turnout, especially among Black and Latino voters. As Tarrant County Judge Roderick Miles Jr. stated, the current standard for participation in democracy should not be limited to even a single voter. Urgent federal action is necessary. The Supreme Court’s weakening of the Voting Rights Act allows local governments to make discriminatory changes without oversight, contributing to a troubling trend of voter suppression under the guise of cost savings. The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, reintroduced in March 2025, aims to restore preclearance but remains stalled in committee. Congress must act now: pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, hold jurisdictions accountable for discriminatory closures, and expand funding for mail-in and mobile voting. Protecting equal access to the ballot is essential for a healthy democracy, and history will judge lawmakers based on their actions.