By David Kirk, Times West Virginian
FAIRMONT, W.Va. — After Congress failed to pass the For the People Act earlier this year, several West Virginia figures came together to back a piece of compromised legislation, including U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin.
After Manchin opposed the For the People Act — a bill seeking to establish national standards for voting access — several West Virginia voting rights advocates joined together to work with Manchin to find a compromise.
The product is the Freedom to Vote Act, which was introduced Sept. 14 by Sen. Amy Klobuchar with Manchin as one of the lead sponsors.
Wednesday, Natalie Tennant, former W.Va. Secretary of State, and several other voting rights advocates joined the Times West Virginian’s editorial board to discuss the new bill being championed by Manchin.
Becky Ceperley, of Charleston, former president of the National League of Women Voters, was firm in saying that a bill like this is crucial.
“It’s imperative that we pass some comprehensive voting rights legislation and this Freedom to Vote Act is a prime example,” Ceperley said. “It touches many of the areas that are necessary to make the people confident that they can vote.” …
