Voting Rights Resolution
Resolution text
Resolved, that the Executive Council decries the efforts of state legislatures to restrict access to voting and urges all dioceses particularly those dioceses in states whose legislatures are actively pursuing legislation that is specifically designed to restrict access to voting, to advocate with the advice of the Office of Government Relations, for equal access to vote; and be it further,
Resolved, that the Executive Council meeting in Linthicum Heights, MD calls upon the Church to advocate for the provisions in H.R 4, or similar legislation, The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Explanation
The history of our country demonstrates the efforts of many people to ensure equal access to voting by all. There has been some success but there is work left to be done. Following the significant voter turnout in the election of 2020 certain states have decided that they will now commit to eliminating the liberties that it has taken more than fifty years to achieve.
As of June 21,2021, seventeen states enacted twenty-eight new laws that restrict access to the vote, it is likely that more legislatures will follow with similar restrictive laws.
The John Lewis Voting Rights Enhancement Act (H. R. 4) would restore and strengthen parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a link to the wording of H. R 4: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4/text?q={"search":["hr4"]}&r=1&s=1,. In the words of the Honorable John Lewis, “The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society”.
This draft resolution is submitted in collaboration with other Executive Council members and with the DFMS Office of Government Relations.