(Washington, D.C.) – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law formally endorsed H.R.1, the ‘For the People Act,’ today, citing numerous provisions in the bill that expand voting rights and provide protection to communities historically targeted by voter suppression. The following is a statement from Damon Hewitt, executive Vice President of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law:
“It is time for both the House and Senate to hear the voices of their constituents and make sure everyone, no matter their zip code, race, or ethnicity, can cast their ballot without unnecessary obstacles and barriers. Last year, we saw a record number of African American voters and other voters of color turn out, despite a raging pandemic and unprecedented attempts to suppress their right to vote. They organized, mobilized, and marched to the polls for justice and for change, building upon the historic participation in Black Lives Matter marches across the nation by a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, and multi-generational group of citizens. It is imperative that Congress immediately take-up and pass H.R.1, to ensure these voters never again have to face the discrimination and inequity they encountered this past election cycle.”
Background:
The voting rights provisions of the bill require:
- Each state to create an online voter registration system;
- Chief state election officials to automatically register to vote any eligible unregistered citizens;
- States to permit voters to register on the day of a Federal election, including during early voting;
- At least 15 consecutive days of early voting for federal elections;
- Early voting locations be near public transportation, in rural areas and open for at least 10 hours per day.
View the bill here.
View our letter endorsement here.
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About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice for all, particularly in the areas of voting rights, criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and hate crimes. For more information, please visit https://lawyerscommittee.org.
