On September 14th, legislation was introduced in the United States Senate that will protect access to the ballot box of voters and will make it easier for citizens to cast a ballot in a secure but convenient way.
According to the Brennan Center for Justice, the bill, the Freedom to Vote Act, will:
Required every state to have automatic voter registration.
Make Election Day a federal holiday.
Provide that eligible citizens could request a mail ballot and drop it off at a secure drop box if they so desire.
Restore federal voting rights to returning citizens who have been released from prison after serving their sentences.
Ban partisan gerrymandering and makes it easier for judges to strike down legislative district maps that unfairly entrench one political party in power and deny communities of color fair representation
The bill includes targeted protections to ensure underserved and vulnerable communities, such as those with disabilities and Native Americans, are not disenfranchised through no fault of their own.
For more information about the bill, go to: brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/pass-freedom-vote-act and nytimes.com/2021/09/14/us/politics/voting-rights-bill-democrats.html
Contact New Jersey's US Senators, Cory Booker and Robert Menendez, and ask them to support this bill!
Senator Booker: Call 973-639-8700 or send a message at booker.senate.gov/contact/write-to-cory
What to say: "I am calling to ask Senator Booker to support the Freedom to Vote Act, which was introduced on September 14th."
What to write: "Dear Senator Booker: I am writing to ask for your support to the Freedom to Vote Act, which was introduced on September 14th. As a person with a disability ( or family member) I am concern about my right to vote that is accessible and convenient for me. In the past I had face barriers to voting in person. This bill will me to avoid those barriers and still exercise my right to vote. Thank you."
Senator Menendez: Call 973-645-3030 or send a message: menendez.senate.gov/contact/email
What to say: "I am calling to ask Senator Menendez to support the Freedom to Vote Act, which was introduced on September 14th."
What to write: "Dear Senator Menendez: I am writing to ask for your support to the Freedom to Vote Act, which was introduced on September 14th. As a person with a disability (or family member) I am concern about my right to vote that is accessible and convenient for me. In the past I had face barriers to voting in person. This bill will me to avoid those barriers and still exercise my right to vote. Thank you."
Please contact Luke at lkoppisch@adacil.org if you have any questions.
