Vice President Kamala Harris Calls Voting Rights Fight One of Democracy’s Most Critical Battles
The VP urged people to stay engaged and take action rather than feel discouraged.
Vice President Kamala Harris joined hosts Zerlina Maxwell and Jess McIntosh on SiriusXM Progress’s “Signal Boost,” the channel’s daily feminist morning show, to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 and its vaccine distribution, as well as the importance of childcare, women leaving the workforce, job creation, and more.
During the conversation, Harris framed voting rights as a central challenge for U.S. democracy, arguing that federal legislation is essential to protect access to the ballot. She described global concern about whether democracies can compete with autocracies, noting that world leaders are watching the United States to see if it can uphold free and fair elections while meeting citizens’ needs.
Harris pointed to what she characterizes as deliberate efforts in multiple states to make voting more difficult, particularly after the high turnout in the 2020 election. She said these efforts require a response at the federal level, specifically naming the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act as necessary tools.
She also placed the issue in a broader historical context, citing Coretta Scott King’s warning that rights must be defended by each generation. Harris emphasized that voting rights are not permanent and require ongoing vigilance, urging people to stay engaged and take action rather than feel discouraged.
