Wednesday will mark the fourth anniversary of John Lewis’s passing. Lewis, a revered civil rights leader, dedicated his life to advancing equal rights and justice for marginalized communities in America. One of his enduring legacies is the advocacy for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, designed to strengthen voting rights by expanding governmental oversight to combat discriminatory voting practices such as voter suppression. This legislation proposes new criteria to mandate preclearance from the Department of Justice or U.S. District Court for changes impacting voting rights.
Since August 2023, progress on the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act has stalled, with the bill awaiting approval by the House Committee on Judiciary as of September 2023. The bill is critical as voter suppression remains a large concern, evolving through tactics such as voter ID laws and gerrymandering, which disproportionately affect vulnerable groups including low-income individuals, minorities, and LGBTQIA+ members.
Some politicians are fighting to push the …