H.R. 4
IntroducedJohn R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021
Latest Action
Received in the Senate.
9/14/2021 • Senate
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.
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;
- 10 or more violations occurred during the previous 25 years, at least 1 of which was committed by the state itself; or
- 3 or more violations occurred during the previous 25 years and the state administers the elections.
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 extent of any history of official voting discrimination in the state or political subdivision.
Passed House • 8/24/2021
Topics & Subjects
Amendments (1)
This bill has 1 amendment proposed or adopted.
View all amendments on Congress.govCongressional Votes (2)
On Passage
August 24, 2021
On Motion to Recommit
August 24, 2021
Related Federal Spending
Sponsor & Cosponsors (224)
Party Breakdown
Sponsor
Cosponsors (223)
Bill Journey
Originated in the House
Introduced
August 17, 2021
Committee Review
August 24, 2021
Floor Debate
August 24, 2021
Passed Chamber
August 24, 2021
Other Chamber
September 14, 2021
President
Failed
August 24, 2021
Text Versions (3)
Related Bills (5)
H.Res. 601
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4) 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; providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3684) to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other purposes; and providing for the adoption of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 14) setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031; and for other purposes.
S. 4
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021
H.Res. 594
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4) 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; providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3684) to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other purposes; and providing for the adoption of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 14) setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031; and for other purposes.
H.Res. 600
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4) 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; providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3684) to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other purposes; and providing for the adoption of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 14) setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031; and for other purposes.
H.R. 7905
Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022