Restore the Voting Rights Act
Overview
The Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in 2013. Restore and expand it to protect voting access for all.
Key Takeaways
- Shelby County v. Holder gutted VRA
- States immediately passed voter suppression laws
- Restore preclearance requirements
- Expand to cover all states
- Add vote-by-mail and automatic registration
Deep Dive
The 1965 Voting Rights Act was one of the most important civil rights laws ever passed. It required states with histories of discrimination to get federal approval before changing voting laws (preclearance). In 2013, the Supreme Court struck down the preclearance formula in Shelby County v. Holder. Within 24 hours, states began passing voter ID laws, cutting early voting, and purging voter rolls. We must restore and expand the VRA: re-establish preclearance for all states, prohibit voter ID laws that disproportionately affect minorities and poor people, mandate early voting and same-day registration, and protect mail-in voting.
Real-World Impact
Restoring the VRA would protect millions from voter suppression and ensure equal access to democracy. **Featured Speech:** Watch Fannie Lou Hamer's powerful testimony at the 1964 Democratic National Convention (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Fannie+Lou+Hamer+Democratic+Convention+1964) where she asked "Is this America?" after describing brutal violence against Black voters in Mississippi, demanding the nation live up to its democratic ideals.
Knowledge Check
What happened after Shelby County v. Holder?
Take Action
Knowledge without action is just information. Here are concrete steps you can take to advocate for this policy:
Support John Lewis Act
Demand your senators pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore the VRA.
Document Suppression
Report voter suppression to Election Protection (866-OUR-VOTE). Document and expose it publicly.
Litigation Support
Support legal organizations like ACLU and LDF fighting voter suppression in court.