Congressional Democrats Launch a New Strategy to Restore the Voting Rights Act

[portlander23]

Congressional Democrats Launch a New Strategy to Restore the Voting Rights Act
Ari Berman
The Nation

Legislation has been introduced in Congress to restore the Voting Rights Act (VRA) following the Supreme Court’s 2013 decision gutting the law, but neither the modest Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014 or the more ambitious Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015, which both have bipartisan support, have moved legislatively.



Today congressional Democrats unveiled a new strategy to build support for the Voting Rights Advancement Act. The bill compels states with a well-documented history of recent voting discrimination to clear future voting changes with the federal government, requires federal approval for voter-ID laws and similar measures, and outlaws new efforts to suppress the growing minority vote.

Every Tuesday while in session members of Congress will speak about the importance of voting rights, calling it “Restoration Tuesday,” spotlight stories of modern-day barriers to voting and rally on social media with the hashtag #RestoreTheVOTE & #RestorationTuesday.

[kelliekat44]

1. It's about damn time but probably too late. nt

[Gothmog]

2. The DNC and the Clinton campaign have been active in this area

Clinton's general counsel, Marc Elias, is already suing the GOP in Wisconsin, Ohio and I think North Carolina on various issues. In Texas the DOJ and parties affiliated with the Texas Democratic Party have been suing on the Texas voter id law and the Texas redistricting issues. In Texas we are waiting for the 5th Circuit to rule on the motion for an en banc hearing on the Texas voter id law and a three judge panel in San Antonio is suppose to rule in the Texas redistricting case.