SENATE DEMOCRATS HOST A ROUNDTABLE ON VOTING RIGHTS

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), sponsor of the LINE Act.

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), sponsor of the LINE Act

Washington, DC – Senate Democrats met with civil rights leaders about the need to fully restore the Voting Rights Act to its full strength after Shelby County v. Holder.

Since Shelby, 17 states will have new voting restrictions in effect for the first time in this year’s presidential election.  Discriminatory voting practices, previously blocked at the federal level, are being put into effect by state, local, county, and municipal governments.  Unjust laws are being challenged in the courts but litigation is a slow, cumbersome, and unpredictable process, especially without a fully functioning Supreme Court.

Some of the bills discussed to restore the Voting Rights Act and expand voter participation include Senator Leahy’s Voting Rights Advancement Act, Senator Gillibrand’s Voter Registration Modernization and Empowerment Acts, Senators Boxer and Nelson’s LINE Act, Senators Klobuchar and Tester’s Same Day Registration Act, and Senator Cardin’s Democracy Restoration Act.