John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Summary: John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 **What It Does:** This bill would restore a federal oversight system for voting law changes in certain states and counties. Under the bill, jurisdictions with a history of voting rights violations would need to get approval from the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal court before implementing changes to their voting practices.
This approval process is called "preclearance." The bill sets specific triggers: states with 15 or more voting violations in the past 25 years, or 10+ violations (with at least one by the state itself), or 3+ violations where the state runs elections would all be subject to this 10-year oversight period. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects state governments and local election officials in jurisdictions with documented histories of voting rights violations. It also impacts voters in those areas, potentially providing additional protections when voting rules change. The bill is named after civil rights icon John Lewis and addresses concerns that recent Supreme Court decisions weakened voting rights protections. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House. As a Democratic-sponsored bill in a Republican-controlled Congress, its prospects for passage remain uncertain.
CRS Official Summary
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025This 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, during the previous 25 years:15 or more voting rights violations occurred in the state;10 or more violations occurred, at least 1 of which was committed by the state itself; or3 or more violations occurred 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 redistricting.States and political subdivisions must notify the public of changes to voting practices.The bill authorizes DOJ to require states or political subdivisions to provide certain documents or answers to questions for enforcing voting rights.The bill 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.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.