We Must Secure Voting Rights for All Americans
QUICK READ: The fundamental democratic right to vote is under fierce attack by the MAGA Supreme, its conservative allies in Congress and GOP-controlled state legislatures, who’ve unleashed a fierce campaign to disenfranchise people of color and Democratic leaning voters. We must neutralize these attacks and rebuild American democracy so our elections are free and fair for all citizens.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
Although voting’s the cornerstone of our democracy, we’re one of the only democracies without a constitutional right to vote whose government makes voting difficult.
In the decade since SCOTUS struck down key provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, MAGA Justices and their conservative allies in Congress and the states have been:
Disenfranchising people of color, young people, and other marginalized groups with restrictive voting policies;
Stripping millions of eligible voters from the rolls through voter purges;
Diluting the voting power of those they dislike through racial and political gerrymandering.
The effects have been devastating:
After the 2020 election, 400+ anti-voting bills were introduced, with 350+ more in 2023, and another 140 in 2024;
From 2020-2022 over 19 million Americans were removed from voter rolls, for “inactivity” or inaccurate felony or citizenship status assessments;
States have made voting by Native American populations much harder;
The South reinstituted Jim Crow;
DC residents are still disenfranchised.
We cannot let this deplorable situation continue.
July 17 marks the 4th anniversary of the death of Congresssman John Lewis, whose life work was securing voting rights for all Americans. Let’s mark it by seeking passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, the D.C. Admissions Act, and a reintroduced Native American Voting Rights Act.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for 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].
Thank you for co-sponsoring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S.1), the Freedom to Vote Act (S.4), the D.C. Admissions Act (S.51), and the reintroduced Native American Voting Rights Act. What better way to mark the 4th anniversary of John Lewis’ death on July 17th than to push for the passage of these four bills which will stop the existing corruption and rebuild American democracy so that our elections are free and fair for all citizens.
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].
Thank you for co-sponsoring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S.1), the Freedom to Vote Act (S.4), the D.C. Admissions Act (S.51), and the reintroduced Native American Voting Rights Act. What better way to mark the 4th anniversary of John Lewis’ death on July 17th than to push for the passage of these four bills which will stop the existing corruption and rebuild American democracy so that our elections are free and fair for all citizens.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
July 17 marks the 4th anniversary of the death of Congressman John Lewis, whose life work was securing voting rights for all Americans—rights that are popular throughout America, including in your district. It is long past time for you to renounce your party’s commitment to voter suppression and support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S.1), the Freedom to Vote Act (S.4), the D.C. Admissions Act (S.51), and the reintroduced Native American Voting Rights Act.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
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].
Thank you for co-sponsoring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR.11), the Freedom to Vote Act (HR.14), the D.C. Admissions Act (HR.51), and the reintroduced Native American Voting Rights Act. What better way to mark the 4th anniversary of John Lewis’ death on July 17th than to push for the passage of these four bills which will stop the existing corruption and rebuild American democracy so that our elections are free and fair for all citizens.
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].
July 17 marks the 4th anniversary of the death of Congressman John Lewis, whose life work was securing voting rights for all Americans—rights that are popular throughout America, including in your district. It is long past time for you to renounce your party’s commitment to voter suppression and support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR.11), the Freedom to Vote Act (HR.14), the D.C. Admissions Act (HR.51), and the reintroduced Native American Voting Rights 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].
Thank you for co-sponsoring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR.11), the Freedom to Vote Act (HR.14), the D.C. Admissions Act (HR.51), and the reintroduced Native American Voting Rights Act. What better way to mark the 4th anniversary of John Lewis’ death on July 17th than to push for the passage of these four bills which will stop the existing corruption and rebuild American democracy so that our elections are free and fair for all citizens.
Script for Val Hoyle (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].
Thank you for co-sponsoring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR.11), the Freedom to Vote Act (HR.14), the D.C. Admissions Act (HR.51), and the reintroduced Native American Voting Rights Act. What better way to mark the 4th anniversary of John Lewis’ death on July 17th than to push for the passage of these four bills which will stop the existing corruption and rebuild American democracy so that our elections are free and fair for all citizens.
SCRIPT FOR LORI CHAVEZ-DEREMER (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].
July 17 marks the 4th anniversary of the death of Congressman John Lewis, whose life work was securing voting rights for all Americans—rights that are popular throughout America, including in your district. It is long past time for you to renounce your party’s commitment to voter suppression and support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR.11), the Freedom to Vote Act (HR.14), the D.C. Admissions Act (HR.51), and the reintroduced Native American Voting Rights Act.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thank you for co-sponsoring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR.11), the Freedom to Vote Act (HR.14), the D.C. Admissions Act (HR.51), and the reintroduced Native American Voting Rights Act. What better way to mark the 4th anniversary of John Lewis’ death on July 17th than to push for the passage of these four bills which will stop the existing corruption and rebuild American democracy so that our elections are free and fair for all citizens.
ACTION THREE: Good Trouble.
Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
PARTICIPATE IN LETTER WRITING AND CANVASSING WITH INDIVISIBLE OREGON. RSVP here.
ATTEND FRIDAY’S AT 4 AND MORE - ONLINE LETTERS AND POSTCARD WRITING EVERY FRIDAY - RSVP Here.
July 17 marks the 4th anniversary of the death of Congressman John Lewis, whose life work was to secure voting rights for all Americans. Events commemorating his death and educating and motivating us to work for the passage of necessary voting rights legislation are being held across the country. Find one here.
FURTHER READING
Supreme Court Allows South Carolina’s Racial Gerrymander to Stand
Racial Gaps in Voter Turnout Are Growing—and Undermining Democracy
The Protection of Voting Rights Requires State Action
Guide to Laws against Intimidation of Voters and Election Workers
Ten Years of a crippled Voting Rights Act: how states make it harder to vote
Push for voting rights strengthens amid voter suppression backlash
New Study Tells Compelling Story of Support for Various Election and Voting Policies
