Statement on the For the People Act to 16 million Future Voters now in US high schools

Dear Future Voters,

Many states are passing laws to make it hard to vote. Such laws suppress the power of BIPOC voters, young voters, and voters in other groups that face significant obstacles to achieving equal participation in our democracy. Laws that aim to keep one group in power by making it hard for others to vote are the opposite of democracy; they are dehumanizing and wrong. 

The For the People Act prevents voter suppression by setting national standards to make elections more fair. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia has said he will not vote for the For the People Act. But the push for national legislation to strengthen our democracy is not over. Democracy is a conversation. People can change their minds. Joe Manchin can change his mind, and you can have a very real role in making that happen. 

First, if you are one of the roughly 100,000 high school age residents of West Virginia you can contact Senator Manchin and explain that you are a Future Voter. Senator Manchin represents you. You support the For the People Act, and you want to live in a democracy with rules that promote political participation for all. If you are one of the 16 million other Future Voters in this country, you can join efforts to encourage all West Virginians to make their voices heard. 

After this, please do one more thing: ask a friend to register to vote if they are old enough, and ask your friend to call Senator Manchin’s office or encourage West Virginians to do so as well. 

Don’t be discouraged if the For the People Act comes up for a vote and faces a filibuster. This might happen. The process might go on all summer. But we can stay focused. We can insist upon a fair democracy, and we can register new voters every day and help them do the same.