FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 7, 2021
[TRIANGLE, VA.] The United Mine Workers of America today reiterated its support for Senate Bill (SB) 1, the “For the People Act,” and renewed its call for its passage in the United States Senate.
“State Legislatures all over the country are revising election laws to restrict access to voting, especially among minorities, workers and senior citizens,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “Instead of opening up the voting process and including more citizens, those states are taking us back to the days when millions were essentially disenfranchised because of who they were and where they lived. SB 1 will prevent that from happening.
“Further, the states that are passing these laws are making it possible for state legislatures to overturn election results they do not like, even if local elections boards have certified them,” Roberts said. “These states are putting a highly partisan stamp on this issue and showing no interest in bipartisanship.”
Roberts noted that while the union also supports the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, passage of that legislation by itself will not address many of the ballot access issues that are becoming law in an increasing number of states.
“It is wrong for these states to attack the basic rights of citizens to participate in our democracy,” Roberts said. “Congress should be doing everything possible to not just maintain, but expand voting access and create freer and fairer elections. If only one party is interested in doing that, then so be it.”
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