September 19, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the House of Representatives reintroduced the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA). In response, Melissa Grigsby, executive vice president of communications for All Voting is Local Action, released the following statement:
“When the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was initially signed into law, it was an unparalleled tool for combatting denial and dilution of our fundamental right to vote. But, the fight for voting rights is still urgent. Today, AVL Action applauds the introduction of the VRAA, as it reaffirms our nation’s commitment to voter equality and increasing access to the ballot box by restoring and strengthening the Voting Rights Act, repairing the damage done by the Supreme Court, and modernizing the most successful civil rights law in history. The VRAA provides the necessary tools to protect all Americans’ access to the ballot box and block discriminatory practices, ensuring we have a democracy that works for all of us.
“A decade after the U.S. Supreme Court gutted core protections of the Voting Rights Act in Shelby County v. Holder, at least 29 states have passed 94 laws to silence American voices, particularly those of Black, Brown, Native American, and other historically marginalized communities. This is why the VRAA must be signed into law. The Voting Rights Act has a long history of bipartisan support. It is the obligation of this generation of lawmakers to respond to the call and support new legislation to protect the vote.”