Carper & Coons Cosponsor Resolution Recognizing September as National Voting Rights Month

On National Voter Registration Day, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.), joined their colleagues to cosponsor a resolution recognizing September as “National Voting Rights Month.”

“The foundation of our democracy is based on our right to vote,” said Senator Carper, who found his calling to run for office after attending a congressional hearing on the Voting Rights Act of 1965. “By passing the Freedom to Vote Act, the Democracy Restoration Act, and by restoring the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Congress can fulfill our responsibility to protect the right to vote and uphold the sanctity of our electoral process.” 

“Access to the ballot box is critical to any functioning democracy—that’s why generations of Americans have fought and died for this fundamental freedom,” said Senator Coons. “I’m proud to join Senator Carper in in reaffirming our commitment to voting rights and urge Congress to celebrate this month by passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the Democracy Restoration Act so that all Americans can make their voices heard.”

The resolution encourages voter registration in the month of September and calls on Congress to preserve the right to vote by passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the Democracy Restoration Act, and by restoring the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

“With the election less than two months away, it is important that we prioritize expanding access to voting and preserving our democracy. Declaring National Voting Rights Month sends an important message about how foundational voting rights are to our democracy and our country,” said Brett Edkins, Managing Director of Policy & Political Affairs at Stand Up America. “During National Voting Rights Month, it is critical that we and Congress reflect on the state of our democracy and recommit to fighting for the right to vote. I’m grateful for Senator Wyden’s continued leadership in this work.”

The resolution is sponsored by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representative Marc Veasey, D-Texas, and cosponsored by Angus King, I-Maine, Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Ben Cardin, D-Md., Tim Kaine, D-Va., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Peter Welch, D-Vt., Bob Casey, D-Pa., Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., John Fetterman, D-Pa., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Cory Booker, D-N.J., Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Mark Warner, D-Va., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai’i, Jack Reed, D-R.I., Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Tina Smith, D-Minn., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore. U.S. Representatives Alma Adams, D-N.C., Becca Balint, D-Vt., Nanette Barragán, D-Calif., Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., André Carson, D-Ind., Troy Carter, D-La., Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., Daniel Goldman, D-N.Y., Al Green, D-Texas, Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., Hank Johnson, D-Ga., Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., Andy Kim, D-N.J., Summer Lee, D-Pa., Jennifer McClellan, D-Va., Betty McCollum, D-Minn., Gwen Moore, D-Wis., Grace Napolitano, D-Calif., Joe Neguse, D-Colo., Frank Pallone, D-N.J., Stacey Plaskett, D-V.I., Jamie Raskin, D-Md., Sarbanes, D-Md., David Scott, D-Ga., Bobby Scott, D-Va., Terri Sewell, D-Ala., Haley Stevens, D-Mich., Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., Nikema Williams, D-Ga., and Frederica Wilson, D-Fla.

The text of the bill is here.