ACTION ALERT: Monday 6/19 is National Call-In Day to Renew the Voting Rights Act!

Now is a critical time for civil rights in our nation: Congress is poised to reauthorize the landmark Voting Rights Act (VRA). Leaders in the House have indicated that they intend to hold a vote on the bill to reauthorize the VRA, H.R. 9, the week of June 19. This bill must pass as drafted to ensure the continued protection of the voting rights of all Americans!

Monday, June 19 is the National Call-In Day to Renew the Voting Rights Act! Join other civil rights activists around the country in calls to Congress and make your voice heard!

Key provisions of the Voting Rights Act will expire in 2007 unless they are renewed by Congress. These essential provisions protect minority voters from discrimination, assist citizens who are not native English speakers in casting informed ballots, and provide for federal election observers. A bipartisan, bicameral bill has been introduced that would reauthorize the expiring temporary provisions of the VRA -- "The Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006" (H.R. 9 and S. 2703). There is bipartisan support to
pass this legislation this year, but your Representative in Congress needs to hear from you!

Tell them not to turn back the clock on voting rights! Urge Congress to renew and restore the VRA today!

For 40 years the Voting Rights Act has outlawed discriminatory practices in elections and eliminated barriers to voting and representation faced by minority voters. Unfortunately, the protection provided by the expiring provisions of the VRA is still needed. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution recently amassed significant evidence of the barriers to voting still faced by some minority voters. H.R. 9 provides a strong deterrent to and necessary oversight of these persistent voting rights
violations.

It is important that we generate a critical mass of calls to Congress to urge an immediate vote on H.R. 9. Use the toll-free number to call your Representative and ask for full support of H.R. 9 as drafted:
1-866-808-0065!

1. Use the toll-free number to call your Representative in the U.S. House on Monday, June 19 and urge her/him to support the bipartisan bill to renew the Voting Rights Act, H.R. 9, without amendments. If your Representative is a leader in the House, ask that the bill be brought to the floor as-is! We
need your call to convince Congress to combat discrimination and protect voting rights for all citizens without delay.

Toll-free calls can be made to the Capitol Hill switchboard by dialing 1-866-808-0065. Please note that this number will not be active until Monday, June 19. It is important that this number is not posted on any public website. Calls may also be made through the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-224-3121 or 202-225-3121.

2. Send this alert to other concerned citizens - your grassroots network, your friends and coworkers. Encourage them to contact their Representative today!