Protect Voting Rights

Protect Voting Rights

By lwilliams@semourbanvoices.com - August 27, 2025

Lawmakers across the country are conspiring to suppress Black America’s vote by reducing Black representation on the state and federal levels. By redrawing election maps, they are attempting to take away our say in who represents our best interests in Congress.

So, what does this mean for us in the long run? It means fewer people speaking up for Black communities and fewer resources for our communities, making it easier for lawmakers to pass disastrous government budgets and harmful laws in states like Texas and around the country.

Let me be clear, this is a calculated effort to disenfranchise Black voters and strip us of our power, one zip code at a time.

In 1965: A Milestone | In 2025: A Mission

Sixty years ago today, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law, breaking down barriers that had long silenced our community. It was a monumental step toward ensuring that every American, regardless of race or background, could exercise their fundamental right to vote.

But today, the promise of that historic legislation continues to face attacks as discriminatory practices like racial gerrymandering and confusing changes to voting requirements erode access to the ballot box, jeopardizing election integrity, and preventing millions of Americans from having a voice in our democracy.

Enter the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA). This critical piece of legislation is our opportunity to honor the legacy of the Voting Rights Act and protect the progress made over the past six decades. Named after the legendary civil rights leader, this critical legislation is designed to restore voter protections weakened by the Supreme Court in 2013.

We cannot afford to go backwards.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act will help dismantle barriers that block access to the ballot box by:
Restoring federal oversight to prevent discriminatory voting laws
Protecting underrepresented communities to ensure equal access to voting
Promoting transparency so election law changes can’t hide in the shadows
Empowering federal protections to address barriers and discrimination before they occur, we need your voice to demand action from Congress. Together, we can create a more just and equitable voting system for everyone. As bad actors attempt to strip away one of our most fundamental rights as Americans, the future of our nation depends on what we do NOW.

Lawmakers across the country are conspiring to suppress Black America’s vote by reducing Black representation on the state and federal levels. By redrawing election maps, they are attempting to take away our say in who represents our best interests in Congress.

So, what does this mean for us in the long run? It means fewer people speaking up for Black communities and fewer resources for our communities, making it easier for lawmakers to pass disastrous government budgets and harmful laws in states like Texas and around the country.

Let me be clear, this is a calculated effort to disenfranchise Black voters and strip us of our power, one zip code at a time.

In 1965: A Milestone | In 2025: A Mission

Sixty years ago today, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law, breaking down barriers that had long silenced our community. It was a monumental step toward ensuring that every American, regardless of race or background, could exercise their fundamental right to vote.

But today, the promise of that historic legislation continues to face attacks as discriminatory practices like racial gerrymandering and confusing changes to voting requirements erode access to the ballot box, jeopardizing election integrity, and preventing millions of Americans from having a voice in our democracy.

Enter the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA). This critical piece of legislation is our opportunity to honor the legacy of the Voting Rights Act and protect the progress made over the past six decades. Named after the legendary civil rights leader, this critical legislation is designed to restore voter protections weakened by the Supreme Court in 2013.

We cannot afford to go backwards.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act will help dismantle barriers that block access to the ballot box by:
Restoring federal oversight to prevent discriminatory voting laws
Protecting underrepresented communities to ensure equal access to voting
Promoting transparency so election law changes can’t hide in the shadows
Empowering federal protections to address barriers and discrimination before they occur, we need your voice to demand action from Congress. Together, we can create a more just and equitable voting system for everyone. As bad actors attempt to strip away one of our most fundamental rights as Americans, the future of our nation depends on what we do NOW.

Protect Voting Rights
Patrice Willoughby
Chief of Policy and Legislative Affairs NAACP