Freedom To Vote Act John Lewis

Vox

The Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act: A Step Towards Protecting Voting Rights

Introduction

The Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR 5746) is a bill that aims to restore and update the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark legislation that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. The bill is named after the late civil rights icon John Lewis.

Purpose and Key Provisions

The Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act seeks to address modern-day voting discrimination by establishing new criteria for determining when states or localities are subject to federal oversight. The bill also requires states to obtain preclearance from the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal court before making changes to their voting laws.

Preclearance Provision

The preclearance provision is a key feature of the bill. It requires states with a history of voting discrimination to obtain approval from the federal government before making any changes to their election laws or procedures. This preclearance requirement is intended to prevent states from enacting discriminatory laws that could disenfranchise minority voters.

New Criteria for Determining Discrimination

The bill also establishes new criteria for determining when voting discrimination has occurred. These criteria include: * Changes in voting practices that result in a decrease in voter turnout or participation by minority voters * Use of racially discriminatory redistricting or other election practices * Intimidation or harassment of minority voters

Support and Opposition

The Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act has garnered significant support from civil rights groups and voting rights advocates. They argue that the bill is necessary to protect the right to vote for all Americans and to prevent efforts to suppress the votes of minority communities. However, the bill has also faced opposition from some conservative groups and politicians. They argue that the bill is unnecessary and that it would impose undue burdens on states.

Conclusion

The Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is a crucial piece of legislation that seeks to protect the right to vote for all Americans. The bill addresses modern-day voting discrimination and establishes new criteria for determining when states or localities are subject to federal oversight. The passage of this bill would be a significant step towards ensuring that all eligible Americans can participate fully in the electoral process.

1