Golden, colleagues introduce John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today reintroduced the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act along with other lawmakers in the House. The bill would protect the right to vote by preventing discriminatory or overly restrictive voting laws at the state level. 

“John Lewis once said that the right to vote is the most powerful instrument in democratic society. I remain committed to defending it,” Golden said. “No matter who you are, what you look like or where you live, this bill solidifies protections that ensure you’ll get fair access to the ballot box — as well as the awesome power that provides.”

With its 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision, the Supreme Court repealed core provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, including the formulaused to determine which states and jurisdictions were required to preclear new voting laws with the Department of Justice (DOJ) or a federal court. Since then, state legislatures across the country have considered thousands — and passed numerous — restrictions to voting access that would have previously required federal approval, such as polling place reductions and curbs to early voting.

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would require states with a recent history of discriminatory, restrictive voting laws to preclear proposed changes to election practices with the DOJ or U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Governments conducting elections where minority groups meet certain thresholds would also be mandated to preclear new election laws and redistricting efforts.

In addition, governments would be required to provide public notices of changes in elections practices — such as relocation of polling places or redistricting — by varying deadlines depending on the change.

Golden has championed reforms to make U.S. elections more clean, fair, and equal throughout his time in Congress. He cosponsored the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in previous terms, and introduced legislation in January to establish a bipartisan electoral reform select committee tasked with, among other goals, exploring efforts to expand voting rights for voters who don’t identify a political party.

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