Let’s not mince words – this week’s Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder left our country with a badly weakened Voting Rights Act. The Shelby County decision stopped the enforcement of Section 5, which was probably the most effective tool ever in the battle against voting discrimination. In response, the Lawyers’ Committee and its allies are launching the RISE UP FOR JUSTICE campaign!
The Lawyers’ Committee has already started working to address the damage done by this shortsighted decision. We’re thinking of new ways to advocate for a revitalized Voting Rights Act while combatting newly-emboldened voter suppression and disenfranchisement efforts. But we can’t do it alone.
Now, more than ever before, we need YOU to RISE UP FOR JUSTICE and help us ensure that Americans are able to exercise their right to vote free from discrimination. We need YOUR eyes and ears on the ground to help us find and stop discriminatory changes to voting rules and practices in your town, city, county, or state. While it was in effect, Section 5 prevented thousands of discriminatory redistricting plans, changes to election rules, changes in polling place locations, changes in voter qualifications or eligibility, changes to candidate qualifications and new voter identification requirements. These and other changes to voting procedures or practices may threaten the right to vote if they go undetected and unchallenged.
Call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) to report new or proposed voting changes in your community or for more information about the Shelbydecision. Calls will be answered live from 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday, and you can leave us a message at any other time, which we will return as soon as possible.
To learn more about the Shelby decision and the Voting Rights Act, visit the Election Protection website at http://shelby.866ourvote.org. Be sure to check back frequently for updates and advocacy actions!
Remember, WE NEED YOU to RISE UP FOR JUSTICE and join us in this crucial fight to restore and protect your voting rights! We look forward to working with you in the coming weeks, months, and years and thank you so much for your dedication to this vitally important cause.
Sincerely,
Barbara R. Arnwine
President and Executive Director
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
President and Executive Director
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
P.S. You can also contact us and stay up-to-date on late breaking voting news by following us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/
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