New Voting Rights Act Polling Shows Strong Bipartisan Support Nationwide

Media 09.30,14

WASHINGTON – Today, The Leadership Conference Education Fund released new polling from Lake Research Partners showing strong bipartisan support for the Voting Rights Act (VRA) across the country. 

The poll found that 81 percent of voters support the Voting Rights Act and 69 percent of voters want Congress to restore it. This support is widespread among voters of all races, parties, and regions of the country.

Since the Supreme Court’s destructive decision last year in Shelby County v. Holder, which gutted the Voting Rights Act, voters have been waiting for Congress to take action to protect Americans from discrimination at the ballot box. But despite their acknowledgement that voting discrimination is a serious problem, Republican leadership in Congress has yet to allow a restoration of the VRA to move forward.  Now voters head to the polls in November with potentially discriminatory voting changes left unchecked.

Quote from Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights:

 “Despite this broad support, a clear political consensus among voters as well as ongoing voting discrimination happening across the country, House Republican leadership has refused to even allow a hearing on the VRA.  It vexes us that Republican leadership is opting to be on the wrong side of history, the wrong side of the law, and – as we can confirm today – the wrong side of the American people.”

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