Newsweek - USA (2020-08-14)

OPINION

discriminatory voting practices to

change their election laws without

prior federal approval. In recent

years, counties in these states have

closed about 1,700 polling places and

purged voters at a rate 40 percent

higher than in other areas.

Meanwhile, at least 25 states have

enacted new voting restrictions, mak-

ing voter registration more difficult,

rolling back early or absentee voting,

passing strict voter ID requirements

and preventing formerly incarcer-

ated individuals from regaining their

right to vote. As a result, it has become

harder for many Americans to vote—

particularly voters of color, the elderly,

students and people with disabilities.

Now is the time to take up the

fight to eliminate these and other

voter suppression practices.

The daunting challenges Americans

face in 2020, including police violence

and its cascading repercussions in

many American communities, deep-

ening polarization and the COVID-

pandemic, underscore the enormous

consequences of our elections and the

leaders we choose to guide us through

crises. My fervent hope is that the cel-

ebration of John Lewis’ life and legacy

will energize millions of Americans to

vote and elect leaders who will honor

his memory by passing laws to make

it easier, not harder, to vote.

The House voted in December to

restore the Voting Rights Act, but the

Senate did not take up the legislation.

On Wednesday, 48 senators reintro-

duced it under a new name: the John

Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

We cannot rest until exercising the

right to vote is simple and easy for

all Americans. Restoring the Voting

Rights Act to its full strength is one

of the best ways we can honor the life

and legacy of Lewis.

John Lewis was often called “the

conscience of Congress” with good

reason. He provided a vibrant

moral compass for his fellow House

members—and indeed, for elected

officials in federal, state and local

legislative bodies across America. As

we mourn his passing and celebrate

his lifelong service to humanity, we

are challenged to pick up the torch

of democracy he has bequeathed to

us all and carry it forward with the

unrelenting passion and conviction

he demonstrated so courageously.

Ơ Martin Luther King III is a global hu-

man rights activist and the son of Mar-

tin Luther King Jr. The views expressed

in this article are the author’s own.

“My fervent hope is

that the celebration

of John Lewis’ life

and legacy will

energize millions of

Americans to vote.”

12 NEWSWEEK.COM

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AUGUST 14, 2020

THREATENED The right for every

eligible American to vote is under attack,

according to Martin Luther King III

left. Fighting for that right, King writes,

was the late John LewisŠ lifeŠs work.