Absent congressional action, this redistricting cycle would be the first in half a century without the full protections of the Voting Rights Act and jurisdictions may be poised to dilute the increased minority voting strength that has resulted from these natural demographic changes. Without preclearance, the Justice Department will have limited tools to obtain documents and assess where voting rights are being restricted – thereby hampering enforcement efforts.

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act addresses several of the barriers I’ve referenced, which are impeding the department’s efforts to protect American citizens’ right to vote. First, the Act responds to the elimination of the preclearance coverage formula by updating the relevant criteria so that Section 5 coverage is tied to current conduct by jurisdictions. Second, the bill provides greater clarity regarding the appropriate legal standard in Section 2 vote denial cases. Third, the legislation gives the department authority to compel the production of documents and materials relevant to investigations of potential voting rights violations. Fourth, the bill puts in place new measures to safeguard the rights of Native American and Alaskan Native voters.

In 1965, Congress enacted and in 1975, 1982 and 2006, reauthorized a statute that provided the strong medicine needed to remedy voting discrimination and enforce our Constitution’s commitment to ensuring that no citizen’s right to vote would be abridged on account of race or color. Congress must act now to restore the Voting Rights Act to prevent us from backsliding into a nation where millions of citizens, particularly citizens of color, find it difficult to register, cast their ballot and elect candidates of their choice. The Justice Department welcomes this opportunity to work with Congress to revive this bedrock civil rights law.

Thank you. 

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