Statement from Rep. Luis Moscoso on the Washington Voting Rights Act:

“I was disappointed to see the Voting Rights Act fail to advance out of the Rules Committee and onto the Senate floor. Although this ends the possibility of passing this critical piece of legislation this session, it has also revealed a growing level of support among both parties.

I appreciate the support of the Senate Majority Leader, the Senate Majority Floor Leader and the Chair of the Governmental Operations Committee to move this bill as far as it has come in just two years. There is a growing acknowledgement of a clear problem in our state, where whole communities are being left without a voice in the democratic process. Senate Leadership is joining the House Democratic Caucus in recognizing that too often minorities have little or no representation in their local governments, even when they represent a significant share of the population.

The Voting Rights Act offers a fair and reasonable solution: make it easier for local governments to switch from at-large voting to districted elections, which are more representative of the diverse needs, interests and identities of the community.

This legislation isn’t about individual candidates. It isn’t about Democrats or Republicans. It is about ensuring that no group is disenfranchised by our elections process.

While we are all disheartened to not have enacted this important policy this year, we came closer than ever before. The bill passed the House and was only two votes shy of being moved from the Senate Rules Committee. I am fully committed to working with advocates from across the state to pass the Washington Voting Rights Act next year.”

Moscoso represents Kirkland in the 1st District.