Voting is a sacred right and the responsibility of all Americans. But it is under attack. New barriers are being raised. And discrimination in voting—once able to be blocked by the federal government—is spreading.
We can fix this if we act together.
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Last year’s Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County v. Holder gutted the enforcement mechanisms in the landmark Voting Rights Act, halting the federal government’s ability to monitor and preempt discriminatory voting practices.
JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG, IN HER DISSENT:
“Throwing out preclearance [the Section Four formula] when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.”
Already, we have seen a flurry of state- and local-level efforts that will make it harder for communities of color, women, first-time voters, the elderly, and the poor to cast their vote.
This is precisely why people worked so hard to pass the Voting Rights Act in the first place.
The 1965 Voting Rights Act is one of the most important legacies of the Civil Rights Movement, and many Jews are rightfully proud of the American Jewish community’s participation in those struggles.
Today, thousands of Jews across the nation are joining the national, multi-racial, and interfaith fight to pass the Voting Rights Amendment Act in Congress.
Nothing will change unless we strongly raise our voices—alongside our allies—in a groundswell of support for the right to vote.
The Supreme Court has opened the door for increased voting discrimination. We can close it.
A bipartisan group of members of Congress have crafted legislation that is designed to undo the harm done by the court.
This bill provides us with flexible, modern, forward-looking updates to the Voting Rights Act that will ensure a real-time response to voting discrimination in every part of the country.
We can pass this bill through Congress by acting together. Add your name to the fight.
TO: MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
The right to vote is a sacred cornerstone of our democracy. I urge you to support the bipartisan Voting Rights Amendment Act to restore the right to vote for all Americans.
ABOUT BEND THE ARC
As a member of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Bend the Arc is working with an impressive coalition of civil rights groups, many of which were leading the fight fifty years ago. Bend the Arc is also partnered with The Andrew Goodman Foundation to reanimate the values that led thousands of Americans to work across lines of race and faith in the Civil Rights Movement.
GET INVOLVED IN THE CAMPAIGN
After you’ve signed the petition, join Bend the Arc and sign up to be a leader in the campaign to protect the right to vote. We’ll provide trainings and materials for a number of meaningful on the ground actions you can take part in. Help strengthen the movement.
