Sign in Subscribe
Legislative bills

John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act: Strengthening Voting Protections Amid Voter Suppression

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet recently reintroduced the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore the landmark Voting Rights Act and stop the spread of voter suppression in the United States. The bill, named after the late Congressman and Civil Rights icon John Lewis, comes amid Texas Republicans' effort to gerrymander U.S. congressional districts in the next election and the Supreme Court's consideration of the interpretation of the Voting Rights Act. The legislation aims to strengthen democracy by re-establishing preclearance for jurisdictions with a pattern of voting rights violations, protecting minority communities, and defending election workers from threats and intimidation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act aims to restore the landmark Voting Rights Act and stop the spread of voter suppression in the United States.
  • The bill comes amid Texas Republicans' effort to gerrymander U.S. congressional districts in the next election and the Supreme Court's consideration of the interpretation of the Voting Rights Act.
  • The legislation would strengthen democracy by re-establishing preclearance for jurisdictions with a pattern of voting rights violations.
  • Preclearance would require states with a history of discriminatory voting practices to submit any changes to their election laws, policies, or electoral maps to the federal government for review prior to implementation.
  • The bill would also protect minority communities subject to discriminatory voting practices and defend election workers from threats and intimidation.
  • Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet have continuously fought to strengthen voter access and protections, introducing the bill in 2021 and 2024.
  • The Freedom to Vote Act, introduced in July 2023, aims to improve Americans' access to the ballot, invest in state election infrastructure, and ensure elections are free from interference.

Statistics:

  • 60 years of protection: The Voting Rights Act has been foundational to protecting Americans' access to the ballot box for the past 60 years.
  • 10,000s disenfranchised: States across the country have unleashed a torrent of voter suppression schemes that have systematically disenfranchised tens of thousands of American voters.
  • 1 in 5 voters threatened: Election workers have faced threats and intimidation, making it harder for voters to exercise their right to vote.
  • 2021 Supreme Court decision: The Supreme Court's Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee decision delivered a blow to the Voting Rights Act, making it harder for plaintiffs to win lawsuits against discriminatory voting laws or procedures.
  • 45 Senate co-sponsors: The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act has been co-sponsored by 45 Senate colleagues, including Senators Hickenlooper and Bennet.

Sources:

  • United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
  • United States Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet
  • The Hill
  • NPR
  • The New York Times
  • MIL OSI USA News (http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/)
  • Contify.com

Read more