For Immediate Release
June 21, 2006
Contact: Jason McCarty
405.427.3366

ODP Chair: Voting Rights Act Reflects Core Party Values

Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Lisa Pryor said Congressional Republicans should put aside partisan politics, reverse course, and renew the Voting Rights Act as soon as possible.

"The Voting Rights Act is one of the most significant civil rights bills ever enacted and while there has been tremendous progress made since its enactment in 1965, there is still much work to be done. The Voting Rights Act is an expression of the core values of our democracy: equality, nondiscrimination, fairness and ensuring full participation in our political process," Pryor said.

She said Democrats are committed to ensuring the full promise of the Voting Rights Act, that all eligible voters have the full ability to exercise their right to vote and have that vote counted.

"Extreme stances by the Bush Republicans are preventing our nation from progressively moving forward in our collective consciousness as Americans. The renewal of the Voting Rights Act has broad bipartisan support and should not be held hostage by Congressional Republicans pandering to the far right of their party," Pryor said.