Strengthening Civic Infrastructure by Protecting Voting Rights
November 2023
The Honorable Terri Sewell
1035 Longworth House Office Building
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative Sewell,
For over two centuries, nonprofits have worked to help Americans vote. They have undertaken this work, in part, because voting ensures elected officials prioritize the needs of their communities and help all people thrive.
As members of the Nonprofit Infrastructure Coalition, we believe that voting is the cornerstone of a healthy civil society. To protect this critical foundation, we – the undersigned nonprofit organizations – write to share our support for the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023, H.R. 14.
The American democratic system relies on an important balance between state and local election procedures and appropriate federal oversight. H.R. 14 would support that balance and build upon one of the most successful pieces of civil rights legislation in our nation’s history. It would provide much-needed mechanisms to review new voting procedures proposed by state and local governments to ensure they do not disproportionately harm the people nonprofits serve.
Every day, nonprofit organizations provide housing, health care, nutrition, workforce development, education, disaster relief, cultural inspiration, spiritual guidance, environmental conservation, and any number of other essential services in their community. For Americans to thrive, these services must be delivered into a healthy democracy. While our sector has a vital and powerful role in that democracy, it cannot fulfill that role effectively in the face of discriminatory laws and processes.
It is critically important for Congress to pass federal legislation that strengthens our elections and prevents barriers to voting before they happen. We thank you for your leadership in sponsoring the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and look forward to working with you toward its enactment.
Sincerely,