The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act. The legislation is a direct response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder (2013), which gutted the heart of the Voting Rights Act. The Court ruled that the “coverage formula” in Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act was unconstitutional. That formula contains the criteria for identifying which states and localities are subject to Section 5’s requirement for federal review and approval of any voting changes before they take effect. This review and approval process had long ensured that states and local jurisdictions with a history of voting discrimination do not infringe on people of color’s freedom to vote.
Since the issuance of the Shelby County decision, members of Congress have introduced legislation to counter the harmful effects of the Shelby County case and take up the Supreme Court’s invitation to Congress to develop new criteria for identifying which states and local jurisdictions would be required to seek federal review and approval. Variations of the bill were introduced throughout the past decade, and these efforts continued beyond the tragic death of our voting rights hero, Congressman Lewis, whose name is now on the bill. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act was first introduced in 2021 and then became part of the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act that was introduced in 2021 and 2022. It is strongly supported by The Leadership Conference.
On September 19, 2023, Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-7) and other members of Congress introduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, H.R. 14. The Leadership Conference issued a statement and participated in a press conference in front of the Supreme Court with numerous other organizations representing a wide range of issue areas and communities.
The legislation would update the review and approval criteria for preventing racial discrimination in voting, mandate greater nationwide transparency of voting changes, and require federal review of specific voting practices known to have been used to discriminate against voters of color. It would also restore and strengthen other provisions of the Voting Rights Act to help bring down the barriers erected to silence Black, Brown, and Native people, young voters, people with disabilities, and new Americans, and it would ensure everyone has a voice in the decisions impacting our lives.
Together with the Freedom to Vote Act, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would ensure everyone has access to the ballot box and can fully participate in our democracy.