John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021

1/19/2022, 8:48 PM

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021

This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect. Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes that would affect voting rights.

The bill also includes provisions related to federally protected activities at polling places and voting access on tribal lands.

A state and all of its political subdivisions shall be subject to preclearance of voting practice changes for a 10-year period if

  • 15 or more voting rights violations occurred in the state during the previous 25 years; or
  • 10 or more violations occurred during the previous 25 years, at least 1 of which was committed by the state itself.

A political subdivision as a separate unit shall also be subject to preclearance for a 10-year period if three or more voting rights violations occurred there during the previous 25 years.

States and political subdivisions that meet certain thresholds regarding minority groups must preclear covered practices before implementation, such as changes to methods of election and redistricting.

Further, states and political subdivisions must notify the public of changes to voting practices.

Next, the bill authorizes DOJ to require states or political subdivisions to provide certain documents or answers to questions for enforcing voting rights.

The bill also outlines factors courts must consider when hearing challenges to voting practices, such as the history of official voting discrimination in the state or political subdivision.

In addition, the bill (1) includes certain protections for election workers, polling places, and election infrastructure; and (2) expands voting access on tribal lands.

Congress
117

Number
S - 4

Introduced on
2021-10-05

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

10/6/2021

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021

This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect. Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes that would affect voting rights.

The bill also includes provisions related to federally protected activities at polling places and voting access on tribal lands.

A state and all of its political subdivisions shall be subject to preclearance of voting practice changes for a 10-year period if

  • 15 or more voting rights violations occurred in the state during the previous 25 years; or
  • 10 or more violations occurred during the previous 25 years, at least 1 of which was committed by the state itself.

A political subdivision as a separate unit shall also be subject to preclearance for a 10-year period if three or more voting rights violations occurred there during the previous 25 years.

States and political subdivisions that meet certain thresholds regarding minority groups must preclear covered practices before implementation, such as changes to methods of election and redistricting.

Further, states and political subdivisions must notify the public of changes to voting practices.

Next, the bill authorizes DOJ to require states or political subdivisions to provide certain documents or answers to questions for enforcing voting rights.

The bill also outlines factors courts must consider when hearing challenges to voting practices, such as the history of official voting discrimination in the state or political subdivision.

In addition, the bill (1) includes certain protections for election workers, polling places, and election infrastructure; and (2) expands voting access on tribal lands.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise the criteria for determining which States and political subdivisions are subject to section 4 of the Act, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Government Operations and Politics

Potential Impact
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians•
Assault and harassment offenses•
Civil actions and liability•
Congressional oversight•
Crimes against property•
Due process and equal protection•
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation•
Federal-Indian relations•
Foreign language and bilingual programs•
Government information and archives•
Government studies and investigations•
Indian lands and resources rights•
Intergovernmental relations•
Judicial review and appeals•
Jurisdiction and venue•
Law enforcement administration and funding•
Legal fees and court costs•
Postal service•
Racial and ethnic relations•
Sex offenses•
State and local government operations•
User charges and fees•
Violent crime•
Voting rights

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary1/7/2022

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021

This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect. Pr...


Latest Action11/3/2021
Motion by Senator Schumer to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 4 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 459) entered in Senate.