In the past 15 years, the Supreme Court's rulings in Shelby County v. Holder and Brnovich v. DNC invalidated crucial provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In the aftermath of the Court’s misguided decisions, many states have tested the extent to which they can legally limit citizens’ access to the ballot box by introducing hundreds--and in many cases passing--restrictive voting laws. 

Recently reintroduced by Rep. Sewell representing Selma, Alabama, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would strengthen our voting rights by modernizing the pre-clearance formula to protect voters from discriminatory voting laws that disproportionately target voters of color, low-income voters, elderly voters, and young voters.  This bill will restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act and provide the tools to address modern day voter suppression. 

Urge Congress to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 14) to restore equal access to the ballot.

Background:

On June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County v. Holder invalidated critical parts of the Voting Rights Act. The Court struck down Section 4(b), which contained a formula requiring certain jurisdictions with a history of anti-voter discrimination to seek pre-clearance from the Department of Justice when making changes to election procedures. Dissenting to the court's ruling, Ruth Bader Ginsberg noted, "throwing out pre-clearance when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet."

And on July 1, 2021, the Supreme Court ruling in Brnovich v. DNC effectively rewrote Section 2 which prevents a “qualification or prerequisite to voting or standard, practice, or procedure…in a manner which results in a denial or abridgement of the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race or color,” which made it more difficult to challenge discriminatory voting laws in court. 

In the years since these harmful rulings, many states previously covered by the “pre-clearance" formula have tested the extent to which they can legally limit citizens’ access to the ballot box, by introducing -- and in too manu cases passing -- restrictive voting laws. Over 100 restrictive voting laws have been passed during the past decade (including a near-record number in the first half of 2023 alone). These laws disproportionately restrict voting rights for People of Color, people with disabilities, voters in low-income and rural communities, elderly voters, and young and first-time voters.. 

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA) was named after the voting and civil rights champion John Lewis, and would modernize, restore, and revitalize the Voting Rights Act on 1965. In his final message to Americans, Lewis charges "ordinary people" with continuing the work for justice observing that "voting and participating in the democratic process are key." 

Join us in calling on Congress to restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Jewish Values:

Jewish tradition teaches us that the selection of leaders is not a privilege but a collective responsibility. Rabbi Yitzchak taught that “a ruler is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted” (Babylonian Talmud, B’rachot 55a). Our tradition tells us: atem nitzavim hayom kulchem (Deut. 29:9) - we are all called to stand before God and actively shape our collective future. In keeping with the insight of these teachings, it is our duty to ensure that all eligible citizens are afforded the opportunity to vote and have their votes counted. The Reform Jewish Movement, knowing that the right to vote is fundamental to American democracy, strongly supports legislation that protects the rights of all citizens to vote without obstacle.

For More Information:

For more information on this issue, contact Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Eric Goldberg 

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