Dems push voting-rights constitutional amendment

Democratic Reps. Mark Pocan (Wis.) and Keith Ellison (Minn.) are urging Congress to approve a constitutional amendment stating that all U.S. citizens of legal voting age have the right to vote.

The two lawmakers said the measure would affirm voting rights amid initiatives like voter ID laws and restrictions of early voting.

Pocan introduced the resolution earlier this year to propose an amendment to the Constitution. However, it has not received any legislative action.

{mosads}”This amendment would prevent states from creating obstacles for Americans to participate in our democracy,” Pocan said in a statement.

“Our democracy gains strength when more Americans participate in elections,” Ellison added. “But millions cannot vote today because of restrictive voting laws in some states. A constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to vote would help stop this voter suppression.”

Under the proposal, the constitutional amendment would state that “every citizen of the United States, who is of legal voting age, shall have the fundamental right to vote in any public election held in the jurisdiction in which the citizen resides.”

It would also give Congress authority to enact legislation to ensure eligible citizens can vote.

“Congress shall have the power to enforce and implement this article by appropriate legislation,” the proposed constitutional amendment reads.