Protect The Vote in 60 Seconds: People For Action of the Week

Welcome to People For’s Action of the Week, where we give you one thing you can do to protect our democracy each week. This week, we’re asking you to call your senators and ask them to protect the vote and pass voting rights legislation now! Keep reading to learn more about the threat to our voting rights, how to call your senators, what to say when you call, and how to take your action one step further.

The Issue: Across the Country, Our Voting Rights Are Under Attack

In 2021 alone, more than 400 bills have been introduced in 49 states with provisions that restrict voting access – and 18 states have already enacted laws that restrict access to the vote. This is the most aggressive wave of voting restrictions we’ve seen since Jim Crow – and we won’t stand for it. From the Texas Democrats who left the state to stop anti-voter legislation to airport takeovers in D.C., we’ve seen lawmakers, advocates, and people like you take powerful actions to oppose these attacks on our democracy.

Now, we need Congress to pass legislation that protects our right to vote. We need them to pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Our vote is our voice, and the most powerful tool we have as citizens to effect change in our democracy. We need to act to protect it now. We can’t afford to wait.

The Action: Call Your Senators and Tell Them to Pass Voting Rights Legislation Now

This week, we’re asking you to take sixty seconds to call your senators and ask them to pass voting rights legislation now. Never called your senators before? Don’t worry! We’ll walk you through it. Here’s what you can expect when you call:

1. Call the Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
2. The automated switchboard will ask you if you’re looking for your House Members or Senators, and then for your state or zip code.
3. Once you select Senate and enter your zip code, the switchboard will ask you which senator you want to talk to first.
4. Then, you’ll be connected either to a member of the Senator’s staff or a message service. They may ask for your name and zip code, and why you’re calling. Tell them your name and zip code, and that you’re calling to urge the senator to pass legislation to protect our right to vote now. We’ve got a call script below, if you want to follow that!
5. Once you’re done, say thank you and hang up! The call is over, and you’ve taken your action to protect our democracy!
6. Want to take things a step further? Record a video of you calling your senator, and remix, stitch, or duet our Reel with your video! Don’t forget to tag us at @peoplefor_, and tag your senator!
   • Not on Instagram, or want to crosspost to Facebook or Twitter? Just tag us and your senator!

The Resources: Call Script and Senators’ Social Media Handles

Here’s a quick call script you can follow for calling your senators!

My name is                         , and I’m a constituent from                        (your city). I’m calling to ask the senator to pass legislation to protect our voting rights now. We need legislation like the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to make sure our votes are counted and our voices are heard. Please tell the senator that I’m counting on them to protect our vote and pass voting rights legislation now.

Want to tag your senators in a video afterwards? Find their social media handles below!