John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act Protects Our Freedom to Vote

Jump to today’s actions:

Call the Senate
Call the House

Background

Generations of Americans have defended our right to vote. Yet BIPOC voters are systematically denied the freedom to vote.

Lincoln emancipated Blacks in Washington, D.C. on April 16th, 1862. Congress retaliated by disenfranchising everyone in the District.

The 15th Amendment enfranchised Blacks nationwide. White supremacists retaliated by undermining Blacks' freedom to vote.

Democrats passed the Voting Rights Act VRA) of 1965 to protect Black voters from racial targeting. Quasi-legal voter suppression continued. Roberts' SCOTUS then gutted the VRA, and GOP state legislatures passed voter suppression laws aimed at BIPOC and other Democratic constituencies.

Democrats passed the 2019 John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR4/S4263), restoring and strengthening VRA protections. The GOP-controlled Senate Judiciary committee killed it.

Democrats won a free and fair election. Republican state legislatures are retaliating by passing new voter suppression bills and rushing to redistrict Democrats out of existence. They use racist tropes about "legitimate" and "quality" voters in their attempt at public support.

We deserve the freedom to vote. We deserve a Congress willing to protect that freedom. To honor the anniversary of DC emancipation, we urge Congress to re-enfranchise DC voters and protect BIPOC voters nationwide by passing democracy-restoring legislation now.

1. Call the Senate.

Script Oregon Senators

SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753

My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S4263). As we celebrate the anniversary of emancipation in the District on April 16th, I am reminded that although Black Americans have the right to vote, they are too often denied the freedom to vote. Protecting our freedom to vote is essential to restoring our democracy. I urge you to advocate for immediate passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, as well as the For the People and Washington, DC Admissions Acts.

SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S4263). As we celebrate the anniversary of emancipation in the District on April 16th, I am reminded that although Black Americans have the right to vote, they are too often denied the freedom to vote. Protecting our freedom to vote is essential to restoring our democracy. I urge you to advocate for immediate passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, as well as the For the People and Washington, DC Admissions Acts.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code]. I support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S4263). Protecting the freedom to vote for BIPOC communities is essential to restoring our democracy. I urge you to put our democracy before your party and advocate for immediate passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, as well as the For the People and Washington, DC Admissions Acts.

2. Call the House.

Look up your rep.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR4). As we celebrate the anniversary of emancipation in the District on April 16th, I am reminded that although Black Americans have the right to vote, they are often denied the freedom to vote. Protecting our freedom to vote for is essential to restoring our democracy. i urge you to advocate for immediate passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Washington, DC Admissions Acts.

Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR4). Protecting the freedom to vote for BIPOC communities is essential to restoring our democracy. I urge you to put our democracy before your party and advocate for immediate passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Washington, DC Admissions Act.

Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR4). As we celebrate the anniversary of emancipation in the District on April 16th, I am reminded that although Black Americans have the right to vote, they are often denied the freedom to vote. Protecting our freedom to vote for is essential to restoring our democracy. i urge you to advocate for immediate passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Washington, DC Admissions Acts.

Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR4). As we celebrate the anniversary of emancipation in the District on April 16th, I am reminded that although Black Americans have the right to vote, they are often denied the freedom to vote. Protecting our freedom to vote for is essential to restoring our democracy. i urge you to advocate for immediate passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Washington, DC Admissions Acts.

Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)

Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR4). As we celebrate the anniversary of emancipation in the District on April 16th, I am reminded that although Black Americans have the right to vote, they are often denied the freedom to vote. Protecting our freedom to vote for is essential to restoring our democracy. i urge you to advocate for immediate passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Washington, DC Admissions Acts.

Action 3 - Expand Indivisible Oregon’s reach

Want to help us expand our reach? Send the link to our Daily Actions at www.indivisibleor.org to friends and family with GOP Senators and/or Congress people and ask them to make calls. They can use Rep. Bentz's scripts for their GOP representatives.