Ahead of Biden’s first State of the Union address, group calls on Biden to highlight need for federal investment in democracy more evident than ever given current trends of backsliding democratic values and norms—both domestically and internationally
ATLANTA — Today, ahead of President Biden’s first State of the Union address, Fair Fight Action Executive Director Cianti Stweart-Reid released a statement emphasizing the need for President Biden to recommit his administration to protecting our freedom to vote and invest in our democratic process at the state and local levels.
In 2021, in response to historic voter turnout in 2020 and peddlers of the Big Lie perpetuating false conspiracies about our electoral process, Republicans in state legislatures across the country brazenly worked to push through anti-voting legislation. With the Midterm Elections fast approaching, Republican lawmakers are accelerating efforts with 39 states having introduced, prefiled, or carried over 500 bills that restrict voter access or election administration as of February 16. Election officials have called on Congress to provide additional resources to help them administer elections in 2022 in the face of these challenges.
Fair Fight Action Executive Director Cianti Stewart-Reid issued the following statement:
“Last year our democracy came under assault by rioters in the U.S. Capitol and anti-voting lawmakers in state legislatures nationwide. Fueled by the Big Lie, efforts to silence young voices and voters of color have only increased as the purveyors of voter suppression methodically and maliciously target voter registration, access to the ballot box, and election administration.
And now, democracy abroad is in a moment of crisis as Ukranians and other communities across the globe battle for their freedom. The current trends make it clear this is a critical moment for democracy everywhere—and we must meet this moment with the power Georgia voters and voters nationwide gave our leaders. Georgia voters deserve strong leadership. As President Biden prepares to deliver his State of the Union, we know the state of our democracy demands a recommitment to protecting our freedom to vote. This requires the investment of federal dollars in our democratic institutions at the state and local level so every eligible voter can make their voice heard in free and fair elections.
Fair Fight Action will continue to do the work of empowering young, progressive voters and voters of color in our communities who believe in our capacity to create a multi-racial, multi-ethnic democracy where we all have the opportunity to thrive–and we will push our elected leaders to do the same.”
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