Guest commentary written by Christian Arana, Latino Community Foundation.
This Fourth of July marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Americans will reflect on Thomas Jefferson’s enduring adage that governments derive their “just powers from the consent of the governed.”
Today that consent is most clearly expressed through voting.
Jefferson’s words set a bold vision that has guided generations of Americans striving to build a more inclusive democracy. Progress has not been easy. It took a civil war, constitutional amendments and decades of social movements to make those ideals real.
Communities of color, women and immigrants know these rights weren’t simply granted to all. They were fought for and defended. From Frederick Douglass to Dolores Huerta, leaders across generations fought to push this country closer to its founding promise.
Today that defense is again urgent. Voting rights are under renewed attack.
In Washington D.C., proposals are advancing that could restrict access to the ballot, while the Supreme Court could reshape how votes are cast and counted. And in April, the court issued a devastating blow to the federal Voting Rights Act, stripping protections from Latino and Black voters.
California’s history has also shown that progress is neither inevitable nor permanent, and the state faces new pressures now that a proof of citizenship initiative has qualified for the November ballot.