We must protect and expand voting rights

Across the country, Republican state legislatures are restricting access to the ballot box. In just the last year, nineteen states have passed voter suppression laws. It's outrageous and it's un-American.

They have restricted access to voting through new voter ID laws and reductions in early voting and voting by mail, and they are closing polling places. They claim it's for security purposes, but it's clear that they only want certain people to be able to vote. Democracy means that every citizen's voice gets to be heard – and closing access to voting degrades our democracy.

As my friend and colleague, the late John Lewis, said: "The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democracy."

In Oregon, we've been voting by mail for decades. We've had automatic voter registration for years. And Oregon has some of the highest turnout and most secure elections in the country. Creating a system that encourages people to vote is safe and effective. We've proven that.

These voter suppression laws disproportionately harm communities of color and long-disenfranchised voters. It is wrong. And it is time for Congress to act.

Today I voted for the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. It's time to change the Senate rules to stop the obstruction, and for a majority of Senators to pass these important safeguards into law.

Our democratic republic is based on the premise that every citizen has a right to vote, and we must keep fighting against attacks on that right.

Thank you for standing with me,

Suzanne