WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL7) introduced legislation Wednesday that would reinstate federal oversight of several states—including Alabama—with troublesome histories of voter suppression.
The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 June 2013 decision, ruled that key portions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were unconstitutional, particularly the section that required Alabama and several other states to seek permission from the federal government before making substantive changes to voter laws.
Sewell’s proposed law, the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015 , would require Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Arkansas, Arizona, California, New York, and Virginia to once again seek that preclearance.
The bill would also allow federal courts to add more states to the list if their voter laws are shown to be discriminatory in practice, not just in intent.
Should one of these states, however, could be removed from this list if they have no “voting rights violations” for 25 years.
“There is an urgent need to protect the progress we have made since the courageous Foot Soldiers of the Voting Rights Movement dared to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge 50 years ago,” said Rep. Sewell in a press release announcing her support of the bill. “We have inherited their legacy, and the fight to ensure that all Americans can participate in our political process continues today. The Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015 takes an expansive view of the need to protect access to the voting booth, and will offer more voter protection to more people in more states.”
“The updated coverage formula in this bill will ensure that states, like Alabama, are required to obtain federal preclearance for changes to voting practices and procedures that could have a discriminatory impact. Alabama has a storied history of voter suppression, and it is ironic that the same state that launched the voting rights movement has become fertile ground for its demise.”
Another provision of the bill would expand federal courts’ ability to stop a new voter law from being enforced as it makes its way through the legal system.
“On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, I urge my colleagues to recommit ourselves to restoring the promise of voter equality. We cannot silence any voices in our electorate. Our nation will cease to be a democracy if we limit access to voting.”
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— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015
