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Sign the Pledge to Protect Voting Rights
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 -- one of our nation's most important and effective civil rights laws -- has guaranteed millions of minority voters an equal opportunity to cast an effective ballot. While much of the Act's protections are permanent, three key sections of the Voting Rights Act are temporary and will expire in 2007 unless Congress renews them.
Make a difference in the fight to protect voting rights – Sign the pledge!
I BELIEVE that our country has come a long way since the Voting Rights Act (VRA) was signed into law in 1965, but that the struggle for equality is not over.
I UNDERSTAND that today, millions of Americans rely on the protections of the Voting Rights Act -- and that if Congress fails to renew the Act’s key temporary provisions it will jeopardize the ability of these Americans to exercise their right to vote and elect candidates of their choice.
I AGREE that Congress must protect minority voting rights and prevent a return to past discrimination by renewing and restoring the Voting Rights Act.
Do your part to ensure that the Voting Rights Act is renewed and restored by signing the Pledge to Protect Voting Rights! Simply read the pledge below, fill out your personal information in the form on the right, and click the send button to add your name to the many people who have already pledged to protect voting rights!
Click the "tell me more" link to find out what's at stake!
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: THE PLEDGE
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I pledge to do my part to ensure that the Voting Rights Act is renewed and restored by:
1) LEARNING MORE about the importance of the Voting Rights Act and the key provisions that will expire in 2007 unless Congress acts to renew them (A comprehensive source for information and grassroots resources is www.RenewtheVRA.org.);
2) ENGAGING OTHERS in my community and in my "virtual" address book by encouraging them to sign this pledge, talking with them about the importance of the Voting Rights Act, sharing fact sheets and materials from www.RenewtheVRA.org, forwarding action alerts, and/or conducting or participating in local VRA events; and
3) TAKING ACTION to urge my Senators and Representatives to support renewing and restoring the Act. (Look for updates on congressional activity over the coming weeks at www.RenewtheVRA.org and www.civilrights.org.)
Signed by:
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Campaign Launched:
June 21, 2006
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The Voting Rights Act of 1965 -- one of our nation's most important and effective civil rights laws -- has guaranteed millions of minority voters an equal opportunity to cast an effective ballot. While much of the Act's protections are permanent, three key sections of the Voting Rights Act are temporary and will expire in 2007 unless Congress renews them. These provisions of the Act have removed many barriers to voting for minorities, including African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans in covered jurisditions across the country, by prohibiting racial discrimination in voting and establishing the right to language assistance for voters who most need it.
On May 2, 2006, The Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks and Coreta Scott King Voting Rights Act and Reauthorization Act of 2006 (H.R.9/S.2703) was introduced by both the House and Senate on the steps of the Capitol. This critical legislation to renew and restore the Voting Rights Act was initially co-sponsored by, among others, the Republican and Democratic leaders of both the House and Senate, and the Chairs and Ranking members of both the Senate and House Judiciary Committees. But while the bill has strong bipartisan support, there is a small, vocal band of extremists who are working to derail its passage. And because the House and Senate face very tight legislative calendars this year, time is of the essence.
Do your part to ensure that the Voting Rights Act is renewed and restored by signing the Pledge to Protect Voting Rights!
After you've signed the Pledge to Protect Voting Rights please forward this page to your friends, colleagues, and community networks and encourage them to do the same.
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