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Pamela,
The year is 1965. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act (VRA) into law — ensuring the 15th Amendment's guarantee of equal access to the ballot box applies to every American, regardless of race.
In the decades that follow, the VRA will safeguard the political power of marginalized communities, protecting against racial gerrymandering, vote dilution, and more to deliver on the promise of fair representation.
Now flash forward: The year is 2026. Anti-democracy extremists are threatening key VRA protections nationwide, including at the highest level in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, imperiling the future of this monumental legislation.
Read on to learn more about the attacks on this crown jewel of the civil rights movement, then make a donation to help us keep fighting to protect the VRA everywhere our grassroots movement is needed — no matter what the Supreme Court decides.
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Let's talk about some key provisions in the VRA:
Section 2 enforces the 15th Amendment by giving voters the right to pursue legal action against laws or practices with racially discriminatory effects. Citizens often use this to challenge electoral maps that weaken the voting strength of minority communities, also known as racial vote dilution.
The attack: The Supreme Court is set to issue a ruling in the pending Louisiana v. Callais case, which weighs whether Louisiana's congressional map unlawfully weakens the voting power of Black residents. One question the Court has asked parties to consider is whether Section 2's protections are constitutional.
Section 5 requires states and localities with histories of racial discrimination in voting to obtain federal "pre-clearance" before implementing any changes to their electoral procedures.
The attack: In 2013, the Supreme Court's disastrous decision in Shelby County effectively nullified Section 5, dismantling one of the VRA's core protections and making it easier for states to discriminate against voters of color.
Despite these constant assaults on the VRA, there is still a path forward to restore the law's full protections. Redistricting Action is committed to advocating for legislation, including the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA), that would strengthen the VRA through congressional authority. And we're committed to educating and mobilizing voters to demand equal access to the ballot box.
But the truth is, each one of us has a role to play to ensure this becomes our reality. Your support is a critical part of our work pushing for fair maps, free elections, and a democracy that truly represents all of our citizens. Make a donation today to help power this critical fight everywhere.
Thank you so much,
The Redistricting Action Team
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