As we marked the yahrzeit of Congressman John Lewis last week, we carry on his legacy by stirring up "good trouble" in pursuit of justice. 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, undoing critical civil rights progress that John Lewis dedicated his life to. In the aftermath of the Court’s misguided decisions, many states have attempted to limit citizens’ access to the ballot box by introducing hundreds--and in many cases passing--restrictive voting laws.
Recently reintroduced by Rep. Sewell of Selma, Alabama, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would strengthen the Voting Rights Act to protect voters from discriminatory 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/S. 2523) to restore equal access to the ballot.
Background:
In 2006, the Voting Rights Act (VRA) was reauthorized by an overwhelming majority in the House and a consensus vote in the Senate, before being signed into law by President George W. Bush. The need to protect voters from discrimination was clear. Following this Congressional mandate, however, Justice Scalia called the VRA a "racial entitlement." Then, on June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court decision 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." Later, on July 1, 2021, the Supreme Court ruling in Brnovich v. DNC effectively rewrote Section 2 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 many 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."
Honor the yahtzeit of the late Congressman and civil rights leader by urging Congress to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 14), to protect the constitutional rights of voters across the country.
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 Jessica Cadmus
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