WASHINGTON, DC - Bob Sakaniwa, Senior Policy Advisor at Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), issued the following statement after Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) announced the Senate version of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act on Tuesday.
“We welcome and are encouraged by Senator Patrick Leahy’s introduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 in the Senate. This bill will restore the historical strength of the Voting Rights Act and its ability to ensure that a jurisdiction must get approval before implementing certain changes to its voting requirements and processes. Through this, we can ensure Asian and Pacific Islander communities, as well as other marginalized communities, are protected from laws that disenfranchise their voters.”
“We applaud Senator Leahy for continuing to press forward with voting rights reform as a vital issue for our democracy by introducing this measure.” “The urgency for passing voting rights legislation continues to grow. We strongly urge that the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021, along with the Freedom to Vote Act, continue to be a top priority. We call on Congress to swiftly pass voting rights legislation, before it's too late.”
### About APIAVote: Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) is a national nonpartisan organization that works with partners to mobilize Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in electoral and civic participation. APIAVote envisions a world that is inclusive, fair, and collaborative, and where AAPI communities are self-determined, empowered, and engaged. See our website for more information at http://www.apiavote.org/
