Stand Up for Democracy

Daily Action

May 26

Strengthen & Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

Jump to today’s actions:

Call the Senate
Call the House

Background

"Though I am gone, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe." John Lewis

The urgency of protecting our democracy is nowhere better illustrated than in the explosion of voter suppression laws passed after Roberts' anti-voter SCOTUS gutted the Voting Rights Act in 2013 and again after Democrats won the 2020 and Georgia run-off elections.

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 (HR4, S4263) protects our freedom to vote from racially targeted discrimination and intimidation. It adds new protections to the 1965 VRA.

However, the JLVRAA does not provide protection from laws passed prior to its enactment. Thus, despite being an important step forward, it fails to address the overwhelming number of laws enacted between 2013 and when it becomes law.

We ask our MoCs to stand up for democracy. We ask them to:

Reintroduce, cosponsor, and pass the JLVRAA.
Add retroactive review and, if indicated, reversal of voting laws enacted after the 2013 SCOTUS decision to the JLVRAA.
Protect all pro-democracy legislation from the racist-relic filibuster.

Together, we stand up for our freedom to vote. Together, we persevere. Together, we will prevail.

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'm calling today to ask you to stand up for our democracy by:

Reintroducing and/or cosponsoring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Adding provisions for retroactive review and, if indicated, reversal of voter suppression laws enacted after the 2013 SCOTUS decision gutted the 1965 VRA.
Ensuring the racist-relic filibuster doesn't undermine its passage.

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'm calling today to ask you to stand up for our democracy by:

Reintroducing and/or cosponsoring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Adding provisions for retroactive review and, if indicated, reversal of voter suppression laws enacted after the 2013 SCOTUS decision gutted the 1965 VRA.
Ensuring the racist-relic filibuster doesn't undermine its passage.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

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

GOP Senators: I'm calling today to ask you to stand up for our democracy by voting for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in committees and on the floor of the Senate. You cannot claim you're not a racist and oppose protections from racially targeted voter suppression, even if you call the suppression ensuring integrity. Those who use that thinly veiled racist trope reveal who they are.

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'm calling today to ask you to stand up for our democracy by:

Reintroducing and/or cosponsoring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Adding provisions for retroactive review and, if indicated, reversal of voter suppression laws enacted after the 2013 SCOTUS decision gutted the 1965 VRA.
Calling on your Senate colleagues to ensure the racist-relic filibuster doesn't undermine its passage.

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'm calling today to ask you to stand up for our democracy by voting for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in committees and on the floor of the Senate. You cannot claim you're not a racist and oppose protections from racially targeted voter suppression, even if you call the suppression ensuring integrity. Those who use that thinly veiled racist trope reveal who they are.

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'm calling today to ask you to stand up for our democracy by:

Reintroducing and/or cosponsoring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Adding provisions for retroactive review and, if indicated, reversal of voter suppression laws enacted after the 2013 SCOTUS decision gutted the 1965 VRA.
Calling on your Senate colleagues to ensure the racist-relic filibuster doesn't undermine its passage.

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'm calling today to ask you to stand up for our democracy by:

Reintroducing and/or cosponsoring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Adding provisions for retroactive review and, if indicated, reversal of voter suppression laws enacted after the 2013 SCOTUS decision gutted the 1965 VRA.
Calling on your Senate colleagues to ensure the racist-relic filibuster doesn't undermine its passage.

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'm calling today to ask you to stand up for our democracy by:

Reintroducing and/or cosponsoring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Adding provisions for retroactive review and, if indicated, reversal of voter suppression laws enacted after the 2013 SCOTUS decision gutted the 1965 VRA.
Calling on your Senate colleagues to ensure the racist-relic filibuster doesn't undermine its passage.

3. Take Action.

Join us on Tuesday June 1st from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PT for Indivisible Tuesday - a district visit with Senator Wyden’s and Representative Blumenauer’s staff.