This week I introduced the Right to Vote Act of 2021.
Building on the Voting Rights Act of 1965, my bill establishes the *first ever* affirmative right to vote under federal law, and will FORCE Georgia Republicans and other state governments to defend themselves in court when they try to make it harder for Americans to vote.
Half a century ago, my mentor Congressman John Lewis had his skull fractured by a billy club while marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, demanding voting rights for black Americans.
The courage and sacrifice of those who crossed the bridge that day — marching into a storm of clubs, dogs, and firehoses — paved the way to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
But today, half a century later, Republican politicians in Georgia and across the country are trying to make it harder to vote –– targeting black voters with surgical precision with news laws based on Donald Trump’s disgraceful lies — all to gain a partisan advantage in elections.
That’s why this week I introduced the Right to Vote Act of 2021.
My legislation that will establish, for the first time ever, an affirmative right to vote under federal law –– empowering American citizens to challenge in court any action taken by a state or local government that makes it harder for them to access a ballot.
Here’s what my new bill does:
➤ The Right to Vote Act builds on the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by establishing the first-ever statutory right to vote in federal elections — protecting U.S. citizens from laws that make it harder to cast a ballot.
➤ And it allows Americans to enforce that right by taking a state or local government to court in the event that it enacts or implements any measure that diminishes access to the ballot.
➤ The Right to Vote Act will protect ALL actions necessary for an American to participate in an election, including registering to vote, obtaining any ID required to vote, casting a ballot, and ensuring that ballot is counted. The Right to Vote is fundamental.
But right now federal law *does not affirmatively guarantee* Americans; right to cast our ballots.
That’s why it’s crucial that we PROVE the force of our movement to pass the Right to Vote Act — immediately.
So, help me drum up grassroots momentum for the Right to Vote Act by signing your name here →.....
Let’s get this done.
Sen. Jon Ossoff
Jon Ossoff for Senate
P.O. Box 450326
Atlanta, GA, GA 31145
United States
