CONTACT INFORMATION: Dorothy He
dorothy@ncapaonline.org
[***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***]
RELEASE DATE
September 20, 2023
Washington, D.C. — The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) celebrates the reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 14) as an important step forward in protecting voter rights across the country.
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore and build on the protections of the original Voting Rights Act, preventing discriminatory voting laws from taking effect in states with a pattern of voter suppression. The reintroduction of this act is particularly historic against the backdrop of a wave of restrictive voter ID laws, gerrymandering, and restrictions on early voting that have been passed into law in dozens of states.
“As the right to vote — a cornerstone of democracy and tool that empowers marginalized communities — remains so consistently under attack, this legislation is a welcomed change. From increased language access at the ballot box to protection from discriminatory voting laws, voting rights legislation allows AANHPIs and other communities of color to make our voices heard,” said Gregg Orton, National Director of NCAPA. “Our communities are growing into a crucial voting bloc, and we want to make our voices heard — between 2016 and 2020 alone, Asian American voter turnout spiked by 10%. Now, more than ever, we need to stand together against voter suppression campaigns that aim to divide and keep us away from the ballot box. John Lewis fought tirelessly to expand voting rights and voting access, and NCAPA is honored to continue advancing his legacy by supporting the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to ensure that every American is able to cast their vote.”
Based in Washington, D.C., the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans is a coalition of forty-seven national Asian Pacific American organizations that represent the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities and to provide a national voice for our communities’ concerns.