On the national level, local League individuals are contacting our national legislators urging support of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Freedom to Vote Act:
Many of the reforms included in the Freedom to Vote Act expand opportunities for voters to both register and increase access to voting in the way that works best for them. Reforms in the legislation that the League has long supported include:
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Same Day Registration: Ensures that every voter who shows up on election day can register and vote. If the bill passes, this provision will go into full effect by 2024;
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Automatic Voter Registration: Allows voters to be automatically registered to vote when they do any business through all state motor vehicle agencies;
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Online Voter Registration: Guarantees that voters can register on the internet and access their registration online to update their address and contact information;
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Expanded Early Voting: Requires states to offer 15 consecutive days, including weekends, prior to Election Day where voters can cast ballots in person prior to Election Day
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Creating criteria for voter roll maintenance: Creates standards for updating voter rolls based on reliable and objective evidence.
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Authorize registration at naturalization ceremonies: Establishes a process for authorizing the chief state election official in every state to share voter registration information at the end of any naturalization ceremony.
John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
“The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is the essential bill we need to restore the provisions stripped from the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This bill will protect Black and brown voters from discrimination at the polls by ensuring federal review of the anti-voter legislation we have seen pass in 43 states around the country. Our freedom to vote remains under threat….we need the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act more than ever. We call on the Senate to do whatever it takes to remove the obstacles standing in the way of protecting our democracy.” -- LWVUS Board President Dr. Deborah Ann Turner, October 2021
Click here for more information on what you can do to advocate for voting rights.