End Citizens United // Let America Vote (ECU // LAV) Action Fund President Tiffany Muller released the following statement on the Senate reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act:
“As we prepare to honor the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, it’s impossible to ignore that voting rights are under attack with an intensity not seen since the Jim Crow era. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 has been so severely gutted by the right-wing Supreme Court, particularly in Shelby v. Holder, that it resembles a mere shadow of its former self. Since Shelby, self-serving politicians and dark money groups have been emboldened by the decision and enacted nearly 100 restrictive anti-voter laws, specifically targeting voters of color.
“We applaud Senator Durbin and Senator Warnock for reintroducing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. It will restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act and ensure that any changes to voting rules cannot racially discriminate against voters—a fundamental step in protecting the freedom to vote.
“From his historic march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to his decades of fighting for voting rights and social justice, the late Congressman John Lewis dedicated his life to ensuring every American’s voice is heard. In this critical election year, Congress should honor his legacy and fulfill their obligations to protect the freedom to vote by passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.”
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act will:
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Establish new review and approval criteria for preventing racial discrimination in voting.
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Require federal review of specific voting practices known to have been used to discriminate against voters of color.
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Mandate greater nationwide transparency of voting law and policy changes.
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Reinforce voters’ ability to challenge racial discrimination in court.
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Allow voters of color to challenge voting changes that worsen their position.
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Give the U.S. Department of Justice more authority to investigate voting rights violations.
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Expand courts’ roles in protecting voting rights.
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Expand the federal observer program.
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