Media Center

Statement on the death of Julian Bond

As America marks the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, Congress and the Obama administration have a shared responsibility to pass new legislation renewing our nation’s commitment to guaranteeing every citizen easy access to the ballot.

Citizens demanding fair representation and transparency in the drawing of legislative districts rallied across the country this week to commemorate the 271st birthday of Elbridge Gerry, the father of “gerrymandering.”

Florida’s highest court has delivered a major victory to Common Cause and other opponents of gerrymandering, tossing out a set of congressional districts drawn to protect Republican lawmakers and ordering the state legislature to fashion new districts.

Today’s decision affirms Abraham Lincoln’s declaration that ours is a government of, by and for the people.

This morning, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced the “Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015” – a bill that would reinvigorate a law that, for 50 years, ensured Americans could freely and fairly vote, without fear of discrimination.