Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, and Democratic candidate for President, called for a constitutional amendment "to protect every citizen's right to vote" at a campaign event with black leaders in South Carolina.
O'Malley will mark the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act by arguing at a 20/20 Leaders of America meeting that the only way to protect voting rights against Republican efforts to "suppress the vote" is to guarantee the right with a constitutional amendment.
He will send an email to his supporters asking them to stand behind his amendment push. "Last year, Republican state legislators in 29 states introduced more than 80 restrictive bills to require a photo ID, make voter registration harder, or reduce early voting," O'Malley writes. "We know why they're doing this: because Americans without a photo ID are disproportionately low-income, disabled, minority — and Democratic." O'Malley asks his supporters to "protect every citizen's right to vote, once and for all" by supporting his proposed amendment.
Democrats, like O'Malley, argue that the laws are partisan and look to disenfranchise Democrats. But Republicans say they are only trying to clean up the voting process and reduce fraud.
This trip marks the first campaign appearance O'Malley has made in South Carolina since announcing his presidential bid in May.
President Obama will call for the restoration of the Voting Rights Act on its 50th anniversary Thursday. Obama will hold a teleconference to commemorate the landmark legislation and call for its renewal, following a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that voided one of its central provisions. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) will participate.
Democrats in Congress want legislation to provide new voter protections, but GOP leaders have slammed the brakes on new voting rights bills.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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