Press Releases

CONGRESSIONAL VOTING RIGHTS CHAMPIONS INTRODUCE DEMOCRACY RESTORATION ACT TO ENSURE EVERY CITIZEN’S VOICE IS HEARD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
JULY 27, 2023

PRESS CONTACT:
Sarah Harris, [email protected] 

Bill would restore freedom to vote for Americans on parole and probation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Troy Carter (D-LA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), and Greg Casar (D-TX) introduced the Democracy Restoration Act, legislation to restore voting rights in federal elections to millions of Americans on parole and probation. Recent polling by Stand Up America and their partners found that nearly 60 percent of voters believe voting should be a guaranteed right for all citizens 18 and older, regardless of their incarceration status.

Stand Up America’s Founder and President, Sean Eldridge, commented on the introduction:

“Felony disenfranchisement is a racist relic of the Jim Crow era. By introducing legislation to restore voting rights, Democrats in Congress are taking an important step toward acknowledging the injustice of these laws and building momentum to rectify them.

“Americans returning to their communities should have a say in who represents them in government and the policies that affect their lives – from the quality of their kids’ education to access to parks and clean water – just like everyone else.

“We are mobilizing our nearly two million members nationwide to help pass legislation at the state and federal levels that ensures all Americans are able to vote. We applaud the Democracy Restoration Act’s sponsors for their leadership and look forward to partnering with them to advance this critical legislation.”

This year, Stand Up America members mobilized in Minnesota and New Mexico to help pass legislation that restored voting rights to nearly 60,000 formerly incarcerated individuals, combined, on parole and probation. In Minnesota, local advocates have already started registering impacted Americans to vote for upcoming elections.

To speak with a Stand Up America representative about their work to pass federal voting rights, please don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected]

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About Stand Up America
Stand Up America is a progressive advocacy organization with nearly two million community members across the country. Focused on grassroots advocacy to stand up to corruption and voter suppression and build a more representative democracy, Stand Up America has driven over 1.7 million calls to lawmakers, registered over 100,000 voters, mobilized thousands of protestors, and contacted tens of millions of voters.

Website: StandUpAmerica.com
Twitter: @StandUpAmerica
Instagram: @StandUp_America
Facebook: @StandUpAmerica