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The Andrew Goodman Foundation’s Statement On The Filibuster Of The Freedom To Vote Act

At a time when more than 425 anti-voter bills have been introduced in 49 states in the 2021 legislative sessions, The Andrew Goodman Foundation condemns the usage of the filibuster, once again, to block a mere debate about federal legislation aimed at ensuring our democracy is secure and fair for all Americans. If it had been allowed to come to a vote and had passed, S. 2747, also known as the Freedom to Vote Act, would have created national standards for voting accessibility, ensured congressional districts are drawn fairly and representatively, and guaranteed all voters are counted accurately by nonpartisan local elections officials. With the Freedom to Vote Act, the ability for Americans to securely cast their ballots would not have been based on color, background, or zip code. All Americans would have been able to participate equitably in the very bedrock of our democracy.

In this year alone, 19 states have enacted 33 laws that make it harder for Americans to vote. For months, the American people have been calling for national standards to protect our freedom to vote, ensure fair representation, and get big money out of politics. The Andrew Goodman Foundation was incredibly disappointed by June’s filibuster of the For the People Act and is again now by the filibuster of the Freedom to Vote Act. This critical piece of legislation was an answer to this year’s anti-voter laws, as it was posed to counteract the majority of state-level laws that are making it more difficult for hard-working Americans to cast their ballots.

As an organization that exists to make young voices and votes a powerful force in our democracy, The Andrew Goodman Foundation remains unwavering in our efforts to continue fighting for federal protections for voting rights. There is much work to be done in order to secure a just democracy and sustainable future. From here on, we will regroup, refocus, and join with young people across the country to demand new legislation that will expand, protect, and standardize voting rights. Our first step will be to urge our lawmakers to abolish the filibuster, an outdated practice used to thwart progress towards an inclusive democracy, and to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.