WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 29, 2024) — Senate Democrats and civil rights leaders announced the reintroduction today of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to protect voters from discrimination and strengthen democracy.
In response, Southern Coalition for Social Justice Executive Director Ryan Roberson released the following statement:
“The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act comes at a time when our democracy needs it most. From the rural farmlands of eastern North Carolina to the Gulf Coast of Texas, communities of color in the South have seen their voting rights eroded by waves of restrictive voting laws and racial gerrymandering. By reinstating and fortifying the Voting Rights Act, we would take a significant step toward ensuring equal access to the ballot box and realizing the ideal of a democracy that is by and for us all.”
The full text of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act can be found here. A section-by-section analysis of the legislation can be found here.