Four Actions to Take Right Now to Protect Voting Rights

This is the defining moment to reform the rules of the Senate to pass voting rights bills. Today the Senate begins debate on The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. This bill, which is a combination of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA) and Freedom to Vote Act work in concert to address the ongoing erosion of voting rights around the country. Join is in taking these four actions today in the fight for voting rights:

1. Call and email your Senator and urge them to pass The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act.

Sample text for a call or email:

Our democratic institutions are contingent on the idea that each person’s voice is represented by their vote. Right now barriers exist for voters of color, veterans, voters with disabilities, rural voters, new Americans, and young people. When people’s votes are suppressed, or laws are passed to make it harder to vote, that in turn diminishes our democracy. We remember what Isaiah says, “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people…” 

As people of faith, we believe in honoring the voice and vote of every person and that free and fair access to the vote is a moral issue. Today we’ve got to make our voices heard by urging the Senate to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. When we vote we elect leaders who share our vision for what future we want as a community and a country, and when people aren’t able to participate in that conversation then those elected won’t reflect back a true sense of community. The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act is critical to ensure every voter can safely and freely cast their ballot, be protected against election sabotage, for fair representation for all. 

2. Check-in with friends and family in West Virginia and Arizona and ask them to reach out to Senator Manchin (WV) and Sinema (AZ)  Right now they are critical people who are needed to change the rules of the Senate to make sure the filibuster doesn’t stand in the way of critical voting rights reform. These senators have the opportunity to prioritize our country’s future by choosing to protect the freedom to vote over an arcane Senate loophole.

3. Call the White House Comment line at 833-345-2554 (open Tuesday to Thursday, from 11 am – 3 pm ET) When you reach a staff member, tell them your name and ask that President Biden do everything in his power to help overcome the filibuster and pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act.

4. Share your actions on social media and share the UCC Officer’s Statement on MLK Day calling on Congress to pass Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act to encourage people to live more fully into a right relationship with one another. 

Sample Tweet:

The #FreedomToVoteJohnLewisAct is critical to ensure every voter can safely and freely cast their ballot, be protected against election sabotage and for all to have fair representation. I urge my Senators [tag your Senators here] to support this legislation. 

Katie Adams is the Domestic Policy Advocate for the UCC Washington D.C. Office