During the final push for women’s suffrage, Carrie Chapman Catt, leader of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, founded the League of Women Voters to “finish the fight” and educate millions about the power of their votes.
She declared: "Progress is calling to you to make no pause. Act!"
But even after the 19th Amendment was passed and became law, women of color and poor women continued to face barriers at the polls.
Even today, the fight continues.
In 2013, the Supreme Court rolled back fundamental safeguards of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) that protected voters against discrimination. In the years since the VRA was weakened, we have seen more voter suppression nationwide:
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Unnecessary voter purges that disenfranchise eligible voters
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Discriminatory voter photo ID requirements
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Restrictions on early voting
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Fewer and more crowded polling locations in underrepresented communities
Today, Congress has the power to restore the effectiveness of this important Act and uphold our democracy.