Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB4

Introduced
2/29/24  

Caption

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2024 Election Worker and Polling Place Protection Act

Impact

One of the critical impacts of SB4 is its intent to combat systemic barriers to voting that disproportionately affect protected classes, particularly in areas with historical instances of discrimination. The bill seeks to ensure that changes to voting methods, election procedures, and voting qualifications receive federal examination before implementation, effectively reinstating aspects of the preclearance mechanism previously deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2013. This preemptive review is designed to prevent practices that could disenfranchise voters based on race or language status.

Summary

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2024, known as SB4, seeks to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to update the criteria governing which states and political subdivisions are subject to federal oversight in their voting practices. One significant change proposed by SB4 is the introduction of new thresholds for the number of voting rights violations that would trigger federal scrutiny, thereby increasing the number of jurisdictions that may be subject to more stringent regulations concerning changes to their election laws. The bill aims to strengthen protections against practices that may dilute the voting power of particularly vulnerable populations, including racial and language minorities.

Contention

However, the proposal has generated contention, with critics arguing that it could impose an undue burden on state and local governments by requiring them to seek federal approval for routine changes to their voting practices. Proponents of SB4 argue that such measures are necessary to protect the electoral rights of marginalized populations and to prevent the resurgence of voter suppression tactics that have previously targeted these communities. As discussions around the bill continue, stakeholders are divided on whether the benefits of increased oversight outweigh the potential limitations on state autonomy in election administration.

Companion Bills

US HB14

Related bill John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023 This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect. Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes that would affect voting rights. A state and all of its political subdivisions shall be subject to preclearance of voting practice changes for a 10-year period if, during the previous 25 years: 15 or more voting rights violations occurred in the state; 10 or more violations occurred, at least 1 of which was committed by the state itself; or 3 or more violations occurred and the state administers the elections. A political subdivision as a separate unit shall also be subject to preclearance for a 10-year period if three or more voting rights violations occurred there during the previous 25 years. States and political subdivisions that meet certain thresholds regarding minority groups must preclear covered practices before implementation, such as redistricting. States and political subdivisions must notify the public of changes to voting practices. The bill authorizes DOJ to require states or political subdivisions to provide certain documents or answers to questions for enforcing voting rights. The bill outlines factors courts must consider when hearing challenges to voting practices, such as the extent of any history of official voting discrimination in the state or political subdivision.

US SB3912

Related bill Election Worker and Polling Place Protection Act

US HB9968

Related bill Election Worker and Polling Place Protection Act

Previously Filed As

US HB14

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025

US HB14

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023 This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect. Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes that would affect voting rights. A state and all of its political subdivisions shall be subject to preclearance of voting practice changes for a 10-year period if, during the previous 25 years: 15 or more voting rights violations occurred in the state; 10 or more violations occurred, at least 1 of which was committed by the state itself; or 3 or more violations occurred and the state administers the elections. A political subdivision as a separate unit shall also be subject to preclearance for a 10-year period if three or more voting rights violations occurred there during the previous 25 years. States and political subdivisions that meet certain thresholds regarding minority groups must preclear covered practices before implementation, such as redistricting. States and political subdivisions must notify the public of changes to voting practices. The bill authorizes DOJ to require states or political subdivisions to provide certain documents or answers to questions for enforcing voting rights. The bill outlines factors courts must consider when hearing challenges to voting practices, such as the extent of any history of official voting discrimination in the state or political subdivision.

Similar Bills

US HB14

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025

US HB1354

Justice for All Act of 2025

US HB1479

Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025

US SB1033

SAFE Bet Act Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet Act of 2025

US SB841

Romance Scam Prevention Act

US HB2481

Romance Scam Prevention Act

US HB16

Stopping Border Surges Act This bill modifies immigration law provisions relating to unaccompanied alien minors and to asylum seekers.The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to repatriate certain unaccompanied, inadmissible alien children, generally those not at risk of being trafficking victims nor having a fear of persecution. Currently, only inadmissible unaccompanied aliens from neighboring countries are subject to repatriation, and DHS has discretion whether to repatriate.When the Department of Health and Human Services releases an unaccompanied child to an individual, it shall provide DHS with certain information about that individual, including Social Security number and immigration status.The bill requires a stricter standard to find a credible fear of persecution and imposes additional rules on credible fear interviews.If an alien is granted asylum because of fear of persecution in a country, the alien shall be deemed to have renounced asylum status by returning to that country, if there has been no change in the country's conditions.The bill also (1) expands the definition of what constitutes a frivolous asylum application, (2) imposes additional limitations on eligibility for asylum, (3) shortens the deadline for applying for asylum, and (4) extends the time period an alien seeking asylum must wait before receiving employment authorization.Any individual who knowingly and willfully makes materially false statements or uses fraudulent documents in asylum-related proceedings shall be fined or imprisoned up to 10 years, or both.

US SB1396

Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act of 2025