(Washington, D.C., 10/5/23) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren’s introduction of the Youth Voting Rights Act in the Senate, which follows the August introduction of the same act by Georgia Representative Nikema Williams. CAIR joins over a 100 other civil rights, democracy and youth organizations in formally endorsing both U.S. House of Representatives and Senate versions of the act.
In a statement, CAIR Director of Government Affairs Department Robert S. McCaw said:
“CAIR is proud to endorse the Youth Voting Rights Act of 2023 and we urge Congress to pass it quickly. Every young person deserves to have their voice heard in our elections. Young people are the future of our democracy, and we must do everything we can to ensure that they have the power to shape it.”
The Youth Voting Rights Act of 2023 is designed to alleviate several obstacles confronting young voters when it comes to exercising their right to vote. These challenges include the substantial occurrence of provisional ballot rejections, limited accessibility to polling locations, and stringent residency and voter ID prerequisites. Furthermore, the legislation guarantees that age-based restrictions on accessing vote-by-mail will not be a factor in federal elections.
CAIR notes that in August, marking the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, it endorsed Congresswoman Williams’ comprehensive voting rights legislative package, which includes the Expanding the VOTE Act, Sustaining Our Democracy Act, Voters on the Move Registration Act, Election Mail Act, People Over Long Lines (POLL) Act, Youth Voting Rights Act, and Time Off to Vote Act.
Last month, CAIR urged members of the Muslim community nationwide to register to vote on September 19, 2023, National Voter Registration Day, which is celebrated nationally on the third Tuesday of every September. If you have not yet registered to vote, CAIR encourages you to do so immediately.
CAIR estimates there are well over 1 million registered American Muslim voters in the United States, with large communities residing in key swing states.
This press release is part of CAIR’s ongoing Musims.Vote campaign to increase Muslim voter turnout nationwide.
If you believe your voting rights have been violated, please contact CAIR at (202) 488-8787 or [email protected].
NOTE: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CAIR does not endorse or oppose any candidate running for office.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]