Civil Rights Coalition Praises Reintroduction of Freedom to Vote Act, Calls on Congress to Strengthen Voting Rights Laws

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sofia Costas, [email protected]

WASHINGTON — Leslie Proll, senior director of the voting rights program at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on the reintroduction of the Freedom to Vote Act: 

“The Freedom to Vote Act will provide a national baseline for voting access for all and ban partisan gerrymandering. These reforms will address many of the existing barriers that disproportionately affect Black, Latino, Asian, and Native voters and voters with disabilities and will ensure everyone has access to the ballot. We urge both chambers of Congress to pass the Freedom to Vote Act so we can build a multiracial democracy that works for all of us. We also look forward to Congress reintroducing and passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act.

“One decade after the U.S. Supreme Court gutted key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, we are confronted with ever-increasing and pernicious voter restrictions that substantially interfere with our ability to fully participate in the political process and elect the leaders we need to make the change we want.

“For democracy to work for all of us, it must include us all. Regardless of our race, background, or zip code, we all deserve the power to shape our communities through our vote. Our freedom to vote ensures we have the power to determine our futures and is fundamental to protecting all of our rights, like our right to an abortion and affordable health care and our right to learn about our history.” 

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 250 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org. 

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