“Support voting”, a letter to the Editor, Journal-World, June 12, 2019

The For the People Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and introduced to the Senate on March 8, 2019. This comprehensive legislation would give states the power and resources to modernize and secure elections and make them more free, fair and accessible to all eligible Americans. It will modernize voter registration, establish public financing of elections through small donor matching funds, end gerrymandering, and restore transparency in our government.

It should be easier, not harder, to vote. The For the People Act improves access to voting with same-day registration and automatic voter registration. More needs to be done to protect voters’ voices. The For the People Act requires independent redistricting commissions, ends voter roll purges based on failure to vote, and restores the Voting Rights Act.

The League of Women Voters of Lawrence/Douglas County calls on all local, state and national leaders to support this transformative bill. Sen. Pat Roberts and Sen. Jerry Moran must show their dedication to strengthening our democracy by calling for a hearing in the U.S. Senate. Constituents need to contact our senators to let them hear how important voter rights are to making our democracy work.