The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights’ Post

"It is wrong, deadly wrong, to deny any of your fellow Americans the right to vote in this country. There is no issue of states rights or national rights, there is only the struggle for human rights." - President Lyndon B. Johnson (1965) #OTD The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) was signed into law by President Johnson to remove race-based restrictions, such as Grandfather clauses, poll taxes, and specialized tests, to prevent people from voting. The VRA enforced voting rights outlined and protected by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution. Learn more about the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with a quick history here: https://lnkd.in/gKM7_fNS

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of federal legislation in the US that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson during the height of the civil rights movement on August 6, 1965, and Congress later amended the Act five times to expand its protections. Designed to enforce the voting rights guaranteed by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the US Constitution, the Act secured the right to vote for racial minorities throughout the country, especially in the South. According to the DOJ, the Act is considered to be the most effective piece of federal civil rights legislation ever enacted in the country. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

🌟🌟🌟🌟”The Reality of the Vote” 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Our Vote Is Our Voice! It is so important that we register to vote & vote! It is also important that we understand the barriers that certain elected officials have signed into law making it harder for people from marginalized communities to vote! For more detailed information regarding critical elements of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, please read this very informative article, titled “The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.” https://lnkd.in/en4AHWze #TBT #Speaker #Education #Vote #JohnLewisVotingRightsAct 🇺🇸

Voting is our inherent right, essential for shaping our collective future. It empowers us to influence policies, leadership, and societal progress. As citizens, it's not just a duty but a privilege to exercise our voting rights responsibly. Let's embrace this opportunity to contribute to the democratic process and advocate for positive change. Encourage everyone around you to participate actively and make informed decisions. Every vote counts in building a better tomorrow for ourselves and generations to come. Let's honor our democracy by valuing and exercising our right to vote. #VoteForChange #EmpowerThroughVoting #DemocracyInAction

The Voting Rights Act (“VRA”) has frequently been used as an enforcement mechanism to strike down voting laws and procedures that discriminate against voters on the basis of race. Historically, the VRA’s provisions have been enforced through lawsuits brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, private parties, and advocacy groups challenging everything from redistricting maps to election integrity efforts. If recent developments out of the Eighth Circuit are a harbinger of what is to come, the frequency and effectiveness of these lawsuits may soon be substantially curtailed. To learn more, read our #LegalAlert authored by Joseph Kanefield, Eric Spencer and Charlene Warner. https://bit.ly/49vIjPW #LegalAlert #VotingRightsAct #EighthCircuit

NEW ARTICLE! Former student Macin Graber and I have co-written a new article on the Voting Rights Act and whether private plaintiffs can bring suit, about to be out in the Washington and Lee Law Review. Check it out! #UKLawProfResearch https://lnkd.in/e3GKpK46

It’s been obvious for more than a decade that new federal legislation to restore protections for #votingrights in America is needed. Campaign Legal Center strongly endorses the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act as a solution.   Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eCQdFHKx   The goal of ensuring everyone has an equal say in our #democracy suffered a huge setback when the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the 1965 Voting Rights Act with its 2013 Shelby County v. Holder ruling. A vote for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is a vote to undo the damage caused by that ruling. #RestoreTheVRA   Protecting voting access is a non-partisan goal. For a long time, the Voting Rights Act received bipartisan support in #Congress. Our #democracy is at its best when all can participate equally. Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

After more than 300 anti-voter state legislative bills were introduced in 2024, Janai Nelson and other civil rights leaders were at the steps of Congress today advocating for comprehensive federal voting rights legislation to ensure fair and open access to the ballot Congress must act swiftly and decisively to pass federal voting rights legislation as soon as possible. The future of our democracy depends on it. Together, we can expand upon the promise of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, creating a more just and equitable society for generations to come.

Voting is not just a privilege but a fundamental right that empowers citizens to shape the future of their nation. It serves as a cornerstone of democracy, allowing individuals to voice their opinions, elect representatives, and hold leaders accountable. Upholding voting rights ensures a fair and inclusive society where every voice matters, regardless of background or status. It is a powerful tool for civic engagement and social change, driving progress and ensuring that the values of democracy are upheld for generations to come. Therefore, protecting and promoting voting rights is essential for a vibrant and democratic society.

Join us tomorrow (July 30) for a webinar discussing our report, Out of Step: U.S. Policy on Voting Rights in Global Perspective, and the advocacy needed to guarantee voting rights for everyone in the United States regardless of criminal legal status. Register: bit.ly/3y2VzyC