WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to pass H.R.1, the ‘For the People Act,’ tonight in what is an important first step towards expanding access to the ballot box. Numerous provisions in the bill, such as requiring states to allow same-day voter registration and place early voting locations near public transportation would help communities of color, low-income communities and rural communities access the fundamental right to vote. The following is a statement from Damon Hewitt, acting president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law:
“H.R.1 is a bold step forward for our democracy, and the law will greatly improve the voting process for all eligible Americans by providing certain minimum standards for elections. It is well past time that everyone, regardless of their zip code, race, or ethnicity be able to access the ballot box without unnecessary obstacles and barriers. These provisions are more important now than ever before, as state legislators have introduced a record-breaking number of voter suppression bills since the 2020 election.
“In the most recent election, Black voters and other voters of color, who are the frequent targets of voter suppression tactics, organized and showed up in record numbers to cast their ballot. Our democracy works best when every American has an equal chance to participate, and we must make sure that brazen and discriminatory policies do not strip people of their right to vote.”
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