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Democrats try again to revive the Voting Rights Act but face long odds
Democrats try again to revive the Voting Rights Act but face long odds

Winnipeg Free Press

time16 hours ago

  • Politics
  • Winnipeg Free Press

Democrats try again to revive the Voting Rights Act but face long odds

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats reintroduced a bill Tuesday to restore and expand protections enshrined in the Voting Rights Act of 1965, their latest long-shot attempt to revive the landmark law just days before its 60th anniversary and at a time of renewed debate over the future administration of American elections. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia unveiled the measure, titled the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, with the backing of Democratic leaders. The bill stands little chance of passage in the Republican-led Congress, but it provides the clearest articulation of Democrats' agenda on voting rights and election reform. The legislation would reestablish and expand the requirement that states and localities with a history of discrimination get federal approval before changing their voting laws. It would also require states to allow same-day voter registration, prevent voters from being purged from voter rolls if they miss elections and allow people who may have been disenfranchised at the ballot box to seek a legal remedy in the courts. 'Democracy is the very house in which we live. It is the framework in which we get to fight for the things that we care about,' Warnock said. 'These last seven months have reminded us that we ought not take any of it for granted. We are literally in a fight for the life of the republic.' Warnock was joined by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Sen. Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, as well as Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Alex Padilla of California. The senators were flanked by dozens of activists, including voting rights advocates, environmental campaigners, faith leaders and union organizers. The reintroduction comes at a precarious moment for the Voting Rights Act. The enforcement mechanisms of the law have been removed or hampered by two decades of court rulings and lapsed congressional reauthorizations. And an unusual push by Republicans in several states to redistrict congressional maps five years ahead of schedule has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the law in protecting voters. State lawmakers have enacted dozens of laws in recent years that voting rights activists argue restrict access to the ballot, especially for people of color, poorer communities and people with disabilities. Schumer promised that Democrats would 'fight fire with fire' to protect voting rights. And Warnock warned of 'an authoritarian movement that is afoot right now in our country,' before denouncing a special session called by the Texas legislature to redistrict the state's legislative and congressional maps. President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans are backing the effort, which they hope will net the GOP several seats in the House of Representatives and help them hold the House majority. Democrats first introduced the updated Voting Rights Act in 2021, when the party had unified control of Congress. The bill came in response to several years of states enacting restrictive voting laws following the Supreme Court's 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder, which struck down the section of the Voting Rights Act that required some states to seek federal approval for legislative maps and election policies. The bill passed the House twice in that Congress but failed to pass the 60-vote filibuster threshold in the Senate. Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama reintroduced a House version in March. The bill is named after John Lewis, the longtime Democratic congressman and civil rights activist who died in 2020. Warnock represents Lewis' home state, while Sewell represents Selma, Alabama, the city where Lewis organized during the Civil Rights movement and was bludgeoned by state troopers during a peaceful protest on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, known as Bloody Sunday. A picture of Lewis was positioned behind the senators as they spoke about the bill. Blumenthal, the Connecticut Democrat, said that Lewis' 'stare is unrelenting. He's going to hold us accountable.' ___

Democrats try again to revive the Voting Rights Act but face long odds
Democrats try again to revive the Voting Rights Act but face long odds

Hamilton Spectator

time17 hours ago

  • Politics
  • Hamilton Spectator

Democrats try again to revive the Voting Rights Act but face long odds

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats reintroduced a bill Tuesday to restore and expand protections enshrined in the Voting Rights Act of 1965, their latest long-shot attempt to revive the landmark law just days before its 60th anniversary and at a time of renewed debate over the future administration of American elections. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia unveiled the measure, titled the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, with the backing of Democratic leaders. The bill stands little chance of passage in the Republican-led Congress, but it provides the clearest articulation of Democrats' agenda on voting rights and election reform. The legislation would reestablish and expand the requirement that states and localities with a history of discrimination get federal approval before changing their voting laws. It would also require states to allow same-day voter registration, prevent voters from being purged from voter rolls if they miss elections and allow people who may have been disenfranchised at the ballot box to seek a legal remedy in the courts. 'Democracy is the very house in which we live. It is the framework in which we get to fight for the things that we care about,' Warnock said. 'These last seven months have reminded us that we ought not take any of it for granted. We are literally in a fight for the life of the republic.' Warnock was joined by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Sen. Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, as well as Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Alex Padilla of California. The senators were flanked by dozens of activists, including voting rights advocates, environmental campaigners, faith leaders and union organizers. The reintroduction comes at a precarious moment for the Voting Rights Act. The enforcement mechanisms of the law have been removed or hampered by two decades of court rulings and lapsed congressional reauthorizations. And an unusual push by Republicans in several states to redistrict congressional maps five years ahead of schedule has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the law in protecting voters. State lawmakers have enacted dozens of laws in recent years that voting rights activists argue restrict access to the ballot, especially for people of color, poorer communities and people with disabilities. Schumer promised that Democrats would 'fight fire with fire' to protect voting rights. And Warnock warned of 'an authoritarian movement that is afoot right now in our country,' before denouncing a special session called by the Texas legislature to redistrict the state's legislative and congressional maps. President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans are backing the effort, which they hope will net the GOP several seats in the House of Representatives and help them hold the House majority. Democrats first introduced the updated Voting Rights Act in 2021, when the party had unified control of Congress. The bill came in response to several years of states enacting restrictive voting laws following the Supreme Court's 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder, which struck down the section of the Voting Rights Act that required some states to seek federal approval for legislative maps and election policies. The bill passed the House twice in that Congress but failed to pass the 60-vote filibuster threshold in the Senate. Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama reintroduced a House version in March. The bill is named after John Lewis , the longtime Democratic congressman and civil rights activist who died in 2020. Warnock represents Lewis' home state, while Sewell represents Selma, Alabama, the city where Lewis organized during the Civil Rights movement and was bludgeoned by state troopers during a peaceful protest on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, known as Bloody Sunday. A picture of Lewis was positioned behind the senators as they spoke about the bill. Blumenthal, the Connecticut Democrat, said that Lewis' 'stare is unrelenting. He's going to hold us accountable.' ___ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

Democrats try again to revive the Voting Rights Act but face long odds
Democrats try again to revive the Voting Rights Act but face long odds

Associated Press

time17 hours ago

  • Politics
  • Associated Press

Democrats try again to revive the Voting Rights Act but face long odds

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats reintroduced a bill Tuesday to restore and expand protections enshrined in the Voting Rights Act of 1965, their latest long-shot attempt to revive the landmark law just days before its 60th anniversary and at a time of renewed debate over the future administration of American elections. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia unveiled the measure, titled the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, with the backing of Democratic leaders. The bill stands little chance of passage in the Republican-led Congress, but it provides the clearest articulation of Democrats' agenda on voting rights and election reform. The legislation would reestablish and expand the requirement that states and localities with a history of discrimination get federal approval before changing their voting laws. It would also require states to allow same-day voter registration, prevent voters from being purged from voter rolls if they miss elections and allow people who may have been disenfranchised at the ballot box to seek a legal remedy in the courts. 'Democracy is the very house in which we live. It is the framework in which we get to fight for the things that we care about,' Warnock said. 'These last seven months have reminded us that we ought not take any of it for granted. We are literally in a fight for the life of the republic.' Warnock was joined by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Sen. Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, as well as Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Alex Padilla of California. The senators were flanked by dozens of activists, including voting rights advocates, environmental campaigners, faith leaders and union organizers. The reintroduction comes at a precarious moment for the Voting Rights Act. The enforcement mechanisms of the law have been removed or hampered by two decades of court rulings and lapsed congressional reauthorizations. And an unusual push by Republicans in several states to redistrict congressional maps five years ahead of schedule has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the law in protecting voters. State lawmakers have enacted dozens of laws in recent years that voting rights activists argue restrict access to the ballot, especially for people of color, poorer communities and people with disabilities. Schumer promised that Democrats would 'fight fire with fire' to protect voting rights. And Warnock warned of 'an authoritarian movement that is afoot right now in our country,' before denouncing a special session called by the Texas legislature to redistrict the state's legislative and congressional maps. President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans are backing the effort, which they hope will net the GOP several seats in the House of Representatives and help them hold the House majority. Democrats first introduced the updated Voting Rights Act in 2021, when the party had unified control of Congress. The bill came in response to several years of states enacting restrictive voting laws following the Supreme Court's 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder, which struck down the section of the Voting Rights Act that required some states to seek federal approval for legislative maps and election policies. The bill passed the House twice in that Congress but failed to pass the 60-vote filibuster threshold in the Senate. Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama reintroduced a House version in March. The bill is named after John Lewis, the longtime Democratic congressman and civil rights activist who died in 2020. Warnock represents Lewis' home state, while Sewell represents Selma, Alabama, the city where Lewis organized during the Civil Rights movement and was bludgeoned by state troopers during a peaceful protest on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, known as Bloody Sunday. A picture of Lewis was positioned behind the senators as they spoke about the bill. Blumenthal, the Connecticut Democrat, said that Lewis' 'stare is unrelenting. He's going to hold us accountable.' ___

Democrats try again to revive the Voting Rights Act but face long odds
Democrats try again to revive the Voting Rights Act but face long odds

Washington Post

time17 hours ago

  • Politics
  • Washington Post

Democrats try again to revive the Voting Rights Act but face long odds

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats reintroduced a bill Tuesday to restore and expand protections enshrined in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 , their latest long-shot attempt to revive the landmark law just days before its 60th anniversary and at a time of renewed debate over the future administration of American elections. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia unveiled the measure, titled the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, with the backing of Democratic leaders. The bill stands little chance of passage in the Republican-led Congress, but it provides the clearest articulation of Democrats' agenda on voting rights and election reform. The legislation would reestablish and expand the requirement that states and localities with a history of discrimination get federal approval before changing their voting laws. It would also require states to allow same-day voter registration, prevent voters from being purged from voter rolls if they miss elections and allow people who may have been disenfranchised at the ballot box to seek a legal remedy in the courts. 'Democracy is the very house in which we live. It is the framework in which we get to fight for the things that we care about,' Warnock said. 'These last seven months have reminded us that we ought not take any of it for granted. We are literally in a fight for the life of the republic.' Warnock was joined by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Sen. Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, as well as Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Alex Padilla of California. The senators were flanked by dozens of activists, including voting rights advocates, environmental campaigners, faith leaders and union organizers. The reintroduction comes at a precarious moment for the Voting Rights Act. The enforcement mechanisms of the law have been removed or hampered by two decades of court rulings and lapsed congressional reauthorizations. And an unusual push by Republicans in several states to redistrict congressional maps five years ahead of schedule has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the law in protecting voters. State lawmakers have enacted dozens of laws in recent years that voting rights activists argue restrict access to the ballot, especially for people of color, poorer communities and people with disabilities. Schumer promised that Democrats would 'fight fire with fire' to protect voting rights. And Warnock warned of 'an authoritarian movement that is afoot right now in our country,' before denouncing a special session called by the Texas legislature to redistrict the state's legislative and congressional maps. President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans are backing the effort, which they hope will net the GOP several seats in the House of Representatives and help them hold the House majority. Democrats first introduced the updated Voting Rights Act in 2021, when the party had unified control of Congress. The bill came in response to several years of states enacting restrictive voting laws following the Supreme Court's 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder, which struck down the section of the Voting Rights Act that required some states to seek federal approval for legislative maps and election policies. The bill passed the House twice in that Congress but failed to pass the 60-vote filibuster threshold in the Senate. Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama reintroduced a House version in March. The bill is named after John Lewis , the longtime Democratic congressman and civil rights activist who died in 2020. Warnock represents Lewis' home state, while Sewell represents Selma, Alabama, the city where Lewis organized during the Civil Rights movement and was bludgeoned by state troopers during a peaceful protest on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, known as Bloody Sunday. A picture of Lewis was positioned behind the senators as they spoke about the bill. Blumenthal, the Connecticut Democrat, said that Lewis' 'stare is unrelenting. He's going to hold us accountable.' ___

One Of The Most Conservative Courts In The U.S. Just Made It Harder To Ensure Disabled People Can Vote
One Of The Most Conservative Courts In The U.S. Just Made It Harder To Ensure Disabled People Can Vote

Yahoo

time17 hours ago

  • Politics
  • Yahoo

One Of The Most Conservative Courts In The U.S. Just Made It Harder To Ensure Disabled People Can Vote

The voting rights of disabled people, blind people and non-English speakers took a massive hit this week thanks to a federal appeals court ruling that found individual voters and private groups do not have the right to file lawsuits under a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled only the Justice Department has the ability to initiate lawsuits alleging violations under Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act. Section 208 expressly allows voters who need assistance casting their ballot due to blindness, disability, inability to read or write, or if they have trouble with English as a first language, to bring someone into the voters' booth with them to help them cast their ballot. Section 208 does not create a 'private right of action' or the ability of an individual to sue because the provision 'speaks only of the assistance that a voter may be given … it is silent as to who can enforce it,' wrote the Trump-appointed appellate Judge Steve Grasz on behalf of the three-judge panel. The court's ruling on Monday falls in line with a controversial 2023 decision involving the Arkansas State Conference NAACP. The group sued the Arkansas Board of Apportionment and challenged the drawing of the Arkansas State House map after the state's redistricting had created just 11 majority-Black districts when 16 majority-Black districts, the NAACP argued, would have been more reflective of the actual population. While the group claimed Arkansas' redistricting had diluted and suppressed Black voting power in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act — which bars voting practices or procedures that discriminate on the basis of race, color or language — the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals didn't tackle that issue. The court found that question couldn't even be weighed because, according to the 2-1 decision, they lacked standing to sue. Only the attorney general can enforce Section 2, the divided appellate court found. Rulings from the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals cover a swath of states including Arkansas, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri and Minnesota, and the impact could be felt by voters in huge numbers should they need assistance at the ballot. The U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2022 that 18% of the Arkansas population has one or more disabilities, with most being connected to mobility, vision or hearing issues. In Missouri, according to findings from the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council, roughly 17% of the state's population has a disability; the Iowa State Data Center as of 2022, reported that roughly 12% of Iowa's population is disabled. In all of the other states that fall inside of the Eighth Circuit's jurisdiction the rates are similar. Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota have disability rates hovering between 12% and 13%. Advocacy groups such as Disability Rights Nebraska report that roughly 11% of that state's population is disabled. The Justice Department did not immediately return a request for comment Tuesday. The decision — which was released Monday — is almost certainly destined for a showdown at the Supreme Court. Only a week ago, the Supreme Court paused a ruling from the Eighth Circuit involving a challenge to a legislative map brought by two Native American tribes, the Spirit Lake Tribe and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. A 2021 map covering their reservations, they argued, inhibited their voting power and made it increasingly difficult to elect candidates that their communities put forward. After a trial in 2023, a judge ordered that a new map proposed by the tribes be used. It led to the election of three Native American Democrats in the majority-Republican region. Like the NAACCP chapter in Arkansas, the tribes sued under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act but were rebuffed on appeal. In May, the Eighth Circuit found that only the government — in this case, Attorney General Pam Bondi — can bring claims under Section 2. In an unsigned order, the high court did not explain its reasoning for pausing the appellate court's decision. The order did note, however, that Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch would have denied the tribes' application for a stay. Related... Supreme Court Throws Out Major Case That Could Have Altered Enforcement Of Disability Law

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