We are so close to enacting vital legislation for protecting the freedom to vote in the U.S.

This is a critical point for our nation.

Yesterday, the U.S. House passed the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act *, essential legislation that ensures we can safely and freely cast our ballots, have our voices heard, and elect leaders who deliver on our priorities.

Now our Senate leaders must exercise their majority and pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act.

Here’s what we’re doing:

With our Unstoppable Voters program, we’ve supported creative and ambitious artistic interventions that have helped us reach this critical point.

One example: check out Song Power, singing on the national mall for more than 24 hours straight:

Song Power for the People

And Senator Singing Lessons, which helps everyone to reach their representatives in a fun new way, inspired by the hit song from Frozen:

Here’s what we’ve learned

What powerful lessons have we seen emerge from these and other incredible creative actions? Here are a few we want to share with you, to invigorate and inspire in these crucial days.

To the blackboard we go!

  • Actively invite people to join you: Welcoming others in creative ways is how we can build resilient community.
  • Show your emotion and vulnerability: They can be powerful activators for others.
  • Simplify, simplify, simplify: Translating complex issues into simple language is essential for combating apathy and guiding communities to action.
  • Experiment with manifesting joy and hope through music, dance, costume, food and so many other forms: Help people see a path to hope and action.
  • And Song Power for the People and Senator Singing Lessons especially show that repetition has power! Explore creative ways to repeat your action through melody, song, or performance. Melodies stay in our memories!

These small adjustments can have big impact and we hope they inspire you. There’s more information like this on our site, and in the Art of Activism book!

Here’s what you can do!

People making phone calls

MAKE A QUICK CALL TO YOUR SENATORS:

Dial (833) 345-2551

Need a script? Sing them “For the People” or “Let Us Vote.” (Or get your kids to sing!)

What matters is that you call!

People singing for our right to vote

JOIN AN ACTION ON MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY:

The Senate must honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by passing this vital, pro-voter legislation. And we need to honor the legacy of Dr. King and the whole Civil Rights Movement too, by not thinking of Monday as a holiday, but as a day to live out their example.

If you’re in Arizona or DC, learn about events led by the King family you can join tomorrow and Monday here deliverforvotingrights.com and head here to find actions across the country: mlkdayactions.org.

Remember: we have the power to win. And you have the power to help.

Let’s come together, overcome deliberate barriers to voting, move our country forward, and make sure our voices are heard.

  • The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act is a new bill that merges and improves two pieces of legislation we need: the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The legislative battle is moving quickly and shifting rapidly; you can follow pages like this to stay on top of it all. But don’t get overwhelmed! If you believe in making access to the ballot safer and more accessible, that’s all you need to know to take action now.
  • Image used in the header from the project Delivering Democracy. Participants posing with Mailbox in Honesdale, PA. Photo: Tannis Kowalchuk