LWV Statement on Voting Rights Executive Order

WASHINGTON—Today the League of Women Voters of the United States CEO Virginia Kase issued the following statement following President Biden’s executive order on voting rights: 

“We commend the Biden administration for prioritizing voting rights in their first 100 days in office, and to do so on the anniversary of ‘Bloody Sunday’ brings important attention to the history behind voting inequality in this country. Today Black voters and voters of color, Native Americans, people with disabilities, and those living with economic instability, are more likely to face barriers at the ballot box. This executive order will level the playing field and promote equal participation in the electoral process for all eligible citizens of all backgrounds. We are proud to see language access and assistance included in this order to break down barriers in our elections. 

“This executive order will expand voter access, strengthen voter registration, and improve election information so that all eligible Americans can participate in our democracy. Directing federal agencies to develop plans for promoting voter registration and participation will offer more opportunities for voters to engage in our elections, strengthening the ability for voters to casts their ballots with confidence.  

“Last week the US House of Representatives passed HR1, the For the People Act, a sweeping democracy reform bill that would strengthen and protect the right to vote in this country. The League helped shape the For the People Act, including strengthening automatic voter registration. This executive order urges Congress to pass the For the People Act, the largest democracy bill since the Voting Rights Act. Notably, the executive order outlines ways for federal agencies to deliver critical information around implementation of this historic bill.

“The League of Women Voters works to empower voters and defend democracy every year. Around the country, tens of thousands of League volunteers work to register voters and provide voter education through candidate forums and information sessions. Our voter education website VOTE411.org helped more than six million users in 2020, and for the first time ever, the site was also available in Spanish. 

“We look forward to learning more about how the Biden administration will implement the government agency findings to expand access to voter registration and election information. The League stands ready as strategic advisers and partners to the agencies and the Administration working to make voter information and registration more readily available to all eligible voters.” 

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CONTACT: Sarah Courtney | 202-263-1332 | [email protected]