DeGette Calls for Strengthening Voter Protections on the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
Denver – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act by joining Colorado civic leaders to call for renewed protections for people to cast their ballots.
"Even in the age of Citizens United and super PACs, the most powerful political tool anyone has is their vote," said Rep. DeGette. "Fifty years ago, the Voting Rights Act ensured that every American of every race, color, and creed could exercise that right. I am working in Congress to put a stop to efforts that are undoing the fifty years of progress that the Voting Rights Act delivered, and I call on my colleagues and on all Americans to stand up and speak out for our right to vote."
DeGette was joined by civic leaders and activists working on greater voter participation and community engagement, including members of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Colorado Fair Share, Colorado Black Women for Political Action, Colorado Progressive Coalition, Denver Clerk and Recorders Office, Mi Famila Vota, NAACP, Common Cause, CoPIRG, Change Corps, and Colorado Latino Forum.
The Voting Rights Act continues to protect minority voters from many forms of discrimination; just yesterday, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a Texas voter identification law over Voting Rights Act violations. However, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned important enforcement provisions of the law in 2013, giving many states more leeway to enact new voting restrictions that especially hinder poor, disadvantaged, and minority groups.