Democrats reintroduced the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, a bill that would expand the federal government’s authority to oversee the nation’s elections. Democrats have tried repeatedly to get this legislation approved, but have failed each time and likely will fall short again.
As long as Republicans control the White House or either chamber of Congress, this bill will not become law. So why does it matter? It’s the same piece of legislation Democrats tried to approve in 2022 by bypassing the Senate filibuster. Reintroducing it now is a clear sign that they will do whatever it takes to make it law once they regain control of Washington.
“With all of the problems that are facing our country, none is more important, and none is more urgent than our voting rights, than preserving the democracy,” Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., said.
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What is the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act?
The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would require certain states and political subdivisions to get preapproval from the Justice Department before making any changes to their voting and election procedures or redistricting.
If a state or county has committed certain voting rights violations over the last 25 years, it would need to get approval from the Justice Department before making any changes to its voting practices for the next ten years.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 had a similar provision, but it was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2013. The justices determined the racist and unconstitutional voting restrictions that made this necessary no longer existed.
Voting rights bill faces opposition
Republicans uniformly oppose the legislation.
“What this rewrite of it does is grant to the Justice Department almost total ability to determine the voting systems of every state in America,” Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in 2021.
Democrats were so determined to pass this bill in 2022 that they tried to go around the Senate’s filibuster to approve it with a simple majority. However, they received opposition from within their own party. Sens. Joe Manchin, I-W.V., and Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., opposed the legislative maneuver. They both left the Democratic Party and became independents.
Democrats said they would try again the next time they gain the majority.
“So it’s been clear, when we fight for democracy, when we protect democracy, we’ve got to fight fire with fire. We’re not going to stand idly by,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday.
Even if Democrats gain control of Congress after the 2026 midterms, President Trump would veto the bill if it came to his desk. It’ll be at least another three and a half years before they have the opportunity to make this bill law.
