Texas House Bill HCR31

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Urging Congress to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Impact

The resolution emphasizes the importance of reconstituting the Voting Rights Act to ensure equitable access to voting for all citizens. It articulates that since the Supreme Court's ruling, discriminatory practices have proliferated, evidenced by the implementation of strict voter ID laws, the closure of polling places, and the curtailment of early voting opportunities. These changes have led to a significant reduction in voter turnout and an increase in the obstacles faced by marginalized populations trying to engage in the electoral process.

Summary

HCR31 is a concurrent resolution urging the United States Congress to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This action comes in response to the detrimental effects observed after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Shelby County v. Holder case, which effectively neutered Section 5 of the Act that provided federal oversight for changes in voting laws in jurisdictions with a history of racial discrimination. The resolution highlights how, in the absence of this federal preclearance requirement, many states enacted laws that created barriers for citizens, particularly impacting minorities, low-income communities, and other vulnerable groups.

Contention

The call to action presented in HCR31 reflects a broader concern that without strong federal protections against discrimination in voting practices, states may continue to implement laws that disenfranchise voters. The resolution points out the challenges and extensive costs associated with legal action against unjust voting laws in the absence of proactive federal measures. It stresses that the federal government has the responsibility to modernize the historic protections laid out in the Voting Rights Act to uphold democratic values and ensure every citizen's right to vote is honored.