A New Era Of Voting Rights

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote

A New Era of Voting Rights

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JL VRAA) and the Freedom to Vote Act (FToVA) are two pieces of legislation that aim to protect and expand voting rights in the United States. The JL VRAA would restore and update the full Voting Rights Act of 1965, while the FToVA would establish new criteria for determining which states require federal approval for changes to their voting laws.

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

The JL VRAA is named after the late Congressman John Lewis, a civil rights icon who fought for voting rights throughout his career. The bill would restore the full Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was weakened by the Supreme Court's decision in Shelby County v. Holder in 2013. The JL VRAA would also update the law to address modern-day challenges to voting, such as voter ID laws and gerrymandering.

The Freedom to Vote Act

The FToVA is a comprehensive voting rights bill that would establish new criteria for determining which states require federal approval for changes to their voting laws. The bill would also create a national automatic voter registration system, expand early voting, and make it easier for people to vote by mail. The FToVA is supported by a broad coalition of civil rights groups, labor unions, and faith-based organizations.

The Importance of Voting Rights

Voting is one of the most fundamental rights in a democracy. It allows citizens to have a say in how their government is run and to hold their elected officials accountable. Unfortunately, voting rights have been under attack in recent years, with states passing laws that make it harder for people to vote. The JL VRAA and the FToVA are two important pieces of legislation that would protect and expand voting rights in the United States.