Portman must ‘do what is honorable,’ pass voting rights bills

This is the time when true character emerges. In his final year in the Senate, Rob Portman has every opportunity to do what is honorable and courageous, working with his Senate colleagues to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

These bills cannot wait. Time is critical to ensure our voting rights are protected.

Voting is the bedrock of this country, a fundamental right of our democracy for all people. Our communities of color face greater inequity when voter suppression occurs, and their voices are not heard.

In Ohio, where unfair and unconstitutional gerrymandered maps have been engineered by the majority party in the face of voter declarations stating gerrymandering must end, a national mandate is required to stop the stateby-state dismantling of voter rights in this country.

Portman must realize he is now liberated from partisan pressure and can act on what is fair and just. I urge you to tell Portman to step up, be bold, and do what is right for the voters of this state and this nation. It is crucial for securing our continued democracy.

Debra Saunders, Dublin