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Bill117th CongressFiled Aug 17, 2021Government Operations and Politics
H.R. 4

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021

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Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house (Aug 24, 2021)

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.

What just happenedSep 14, 2021

Received in the Senate.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7](D-AL)Sponsor
223 cosponsors223 D
Read on Congress.gov
223cosponsors1committees14actions1amendments5related bills9subjects
  1. Sep 14, 2021IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  2. Aug 24, 2021FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Aug 24, 2021FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 212 (Roll no. 260). (text: CR H4384-4391)

  4. Aug 24, 2021Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 212 (Roll no. 260).(text: CR H4384-4391)

  5. Aug 24, 2021FloorH36210

    On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 212 - 218 (Roll no. 259).

    Judiciary Committee
  6. Aug 24, 2021FloorH8A000

    The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.

  7. Aug 24, 2021FloorH36200

    Mr. Davis, Rodney moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H4413)

    Judiciary Committee
  8. Aug 24, 2021FloorH35000

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  9. Aug 24, 2021FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4.

  10. Aug 24, 2021FloorH30000

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 601. (consideration: CR H4384-4415)

  11. Aug 24, 2021IntroReferralB00100

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4369)

  12. Aug 17, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  13. Aug 17, 2021IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  14. Aug 17, 2021IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed HouseAug 24, 202153

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.

Introduced in HouseJan 3, 2021

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 history of official voting discrimination in the state or political subdivision.

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 — Informed