After the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in 2013, Black voters have been left largely unprotected from voter suppression laws and practices enacted by states. As we collectively grieve the loss of civil rights hero Representative John Lewis — whose organizing helped pave the way for the original Voting Rights Act — tell the Senate to honor his life and legacy by passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act.

Here is the Petition:

Dear Senator,

As you and fellow members of Congress mourn the passing of your House colleague, Representative John Lewis, I urge you to honor his memory with meaningful action by passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act that passed as the Voting Rights Advancement Act in the House last year.

Seven years ago, the Supreme Court gutted the original Voting Rights Act in its Shelby County v. Holder decision, paving the way for a resurgence of voter suppression laws and practices that disproportionately disenfranchise Black voters. We need the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act to restore much-needed oversight of states when they repeatedly try to enact racist voting laws, and to ensure that no state can make significant changes to how they conduct elections without considering how those changes would impact voters of color.

Please match the urgency of this moment in history and Representative Lewis’ lifelong commitment to civil rights by doing everything in your power to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]