Thread by @CareIsEssential

When our country was founded in 1776, voting rights were in the hands of a few: white, wealthy, male landowners. We have come far since then, but not without struggle – and a ways to go. Tell the Senate to support voting rights this holiday weekend: 1-833-312-1833
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marched 5 days in AL from Selma to the capitol in Montgomery in a movement that captured the nation. That same year, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed The Voting Rights Act into law, ending legal discrimination towards Black voters.

The Voting Rights Act increased accessibility for Black, working class people to vote by banning the expensive poll taxes and literacy tests that were required for Blacks to vote until then.

In 1975, literacy tests were repealed for non-English speaking citizens that had been disenfranchised from voting, especially Latinx and AAPI persons. Now, registration and voting documents must be provided in languages besides English.

In 1982, special provisions from the Voting Rights Act were set to expire. After push back from voters, it was renewed for 25 more years. The act also introduced majority minority districts so communities of color could be represented by someone from their community.

In 1984, sit-ins were held across the country demanding accessible voting locations for all. The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act made it law for polling places to be ADA accessible & aids be available, such as large-font prints.

In 2013, two key provisions of the Voting Rights Act were rolled back in a calculated attack on people of color. States can now change voting laws without limitation from the Federal government, including those with a history of discriminatory voting laws.

Prior to 2021, Native Americans were allowed to vote on their reservation, witnessed by a third party. Now, they must leave their community to go to an assigned precinct location. The distance, cost and lack of transportation has hindered Native Americans from going to the polls.

Now, Congress has a unique opportunity to honor the legacy of the late Rep. John Lewis and those that walked with him and MLK to ensure no matter your socioeconomic background, race, gender, religion or location – that your right to vote is guaranteed and accessible to you.