In 2013, Shelby County v. Holder stripped the preclearance requirement from the Voting Rights Act. Over the last 7 years, as a direct result of the decision, voter suppression schemes designed to abridge the rights of voters of color have been unleashed upon our elections. #OTD
Why was preclearance so important?
Section 5 of the VRA mandated jurisdictions with a history of discrimination to obtain approval before changing voting rules. This process allowed much of, not all, voter suppression tactics to be blocked before they could be implemented.
With voter suppression allowed to run amok, it's more important than ever that we are #PreparedtoVote. LDF's #PtV effort is on the ground in targeted jurisdictions during elections to answer questions and provide voters with information on voting laws.
LDF is also in court fighting against onerous voter requirements in states like SC & LA. These states require burdensome processes to cast an absentee ballot. Voters must have every opportunity to cast a ballot safely and without having to choose between life, death, and voting.
We must also apply pressure to Congress. The House has already passed the VRAA, the Voting Rights Advancement Act, which will help restore power to the Voting Rights Act. That bill, along with other voting advancement bills like the HEROES and SHIELD ACTS, now sits in the Senate.
On the anniversary of the destructive #ShelbyCounty decision, let this be a day of action. Voter suppression shouldn't have the green light to taint our elections. Call your senators and tell them to pass crucial legislation, and make sure you're #PreparedtoVote.☎️: 202-224-3121
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