On March 7, we remember the anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” when John Lewis and other brave civil rights advocates were brutally attacked by law enforcement while marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, fighting for the right to vote. This pivotal moment, 60 years ago, led to the passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965, a milestone that transformed the American democratic process by protecting Black Americans and other voters of color from discriminatory voting laws.
However, over the past decade, the Supreme Court has dismantled the VRA, weakening protections that once ensured equal access to voting. Despite this, Congress has failed to act decisively to restore these critical safeguards—until now.
Thanks to the leadership of Representative Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA) has been reintroduced in Congress. This bill, named after the late civil rights icon, seeks to restore the full strength of the Voting Rights Act and reestablish vital protections for voters of color.
A key component of the JLVRAA is the reinstatement of “preclearance” from Section 5 of the original VRA. Preclearance required states and localities with a history of racial discrimination to have changes to their voting laws approved by the federal government before those laws could take effect. This provision was struck down by the Supreme Court in the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder case, which led to a rise in discriminatory practices such as voter ID laws, polling place closures, and voter purges—disproportionately affecting Black and brown voters.
The JLVRAA would restore preclearance protections, ensuring that any proposed changes to voting laws or polling place locations in areas with a history of voter discrimination are thoroughly reviewed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) or federal courts before being implemented. The bill also proposes a nationwide system of preclearance, aimed at preempting voting policies that have consistently undermined the freedom of voters of color to participate in fair elections.
Furthermore, the bill strengthens Section 2 of the original Voting Rights Act, which allows voters to challenge discriminatory laws in court. While Section 5 aimed to block voter suppression before it occurred, Section 2 provides a legal pathway for individuals to fight against policies that have already harmed them.
Despite recent Supreme Court decisions, including Allen v. Milligan, which reaffirmed the validity of Section 2, there is concern over the current Court’s approach to democracy-related issues. The JLVRAA would address these concerns by solidifying clear standards for evaluating voting rights lawsuits and providing new protections against discriminatory voting laws.
The passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is vital to ensuring that Black and brown voters can cast their ballots under fair conditions. Free and fair elections depend on the principle that every voter’s voice is heard and valued.
As the nation continues to confront racial injustice, the JLVRAA represents an essential step toward ensuring that the promise of democracy extends to all Americans, regardless of their race or background. It’s time to protect the right to vote and preserve the democratic ideals on which this country was founded.
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