{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Legislation","name":"John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021","description":"

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.

","legislationIdentifier":"S 4","legislationType":"Bill","legislationLegalForce":"NotInForce","legislationJurisdiction":"USA","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Patrick J. Leahy","url":"https://legisdaily.com/mp/patrickj-leahy-us"}],"about":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Government Operations and Politics"},"keywords":"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","dateModified":"2022-01-19T00:00:00.000Z","url":"https://legisdaily.com/bill/USA-117-S-4"}