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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 11, 2022

CONTACT:
Fernanda Durand
214-402-0186
fernanda@communicationsshop.us

Hispanic Federation Joins Call for Congress to Pass Federal Voting Rights Legislation Now

ATLANTA – Shortly after President Joe Biden’s speech today on passing federal voting rights legislation to ensure free, fair, and protected elections, Hispanic Federation CEO and President Frankie Miranda repeated the calls for immediate action to safeguard Americans’ access to the ballot box. At a time when 19 state legislatures have passed 34 laws restricting voting rights, and more than 440 bills have already been introduced across the nation to limit access to early voting and drop-off locations, and, in some states, even allow elected officials to go against the will of the voters, we must demand Congress pass federal laws to protect voters.

"Today, President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Georgia to make the case that the time has come to defend democracy and protect voting rights. The President made it very clear today that we are at an important moment in history, a tipping point that could mean either keeping our democratic system of government or going down the dangerous path of disregarding free and fair elections. State legislatures across the nation have passed unprecedented voter suppression laws and are redrawing districts that take away representation from people of color. In Georgia, recent changes to absentee voting and voter ID provisions will disproportionately affect minorities and marginalized communities and hinder their voting ability. These recent voter restriction laws are becoming more common and could lead to systematic oppression and inequality. They affect the constitutional rights of every American and undo the progress we have made on voting rights over decades,” said Miranda, who was present today for President Biden’s remarks.

President Biden spoke in the battleground state of Georgia, where Hispanic Federation invested $250,000 in 2020 to reach more than 240,000 Georgia voters and engaged in advocacy to expand access to the ballot box for Georgia voters in Hall County. HF plans to be on the ground again in 2022 to make sure Latinos are registered and able to exercise their right to vote.

“Instead of making it easier to vote, we are going in the opposite direction. We need to strengthen the legal protections against voting policies that discriminate against our communities. Voting rights legislation is essential to ensure the full participation of all segments of our population - including Latino voters. Federal legislation will enable our voting rights to be secured at a time when states are attempting to usurp the power of the vote. With most Republicans opposing the voting rights bill, Senate rules must change to allow democracy to work. We encourage Senate Democrats to do whatever it takes to protect our democracy and our vote, including making rules changes. The stakes could not be higher. Hispanic Federation expects all members of the Senate to show the country exactly where they stand on democracy and the freedom to vote. Congress must pass the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Act and protect our voice and our vote," Miranda added.