Rep. Sherrill Votes to Pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act

Washington, DC – Today, Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) voted for the Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4), critical legislation to restore the full strength of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA). The Supreme Court’s Shelby v. Holder decision gutted the VRA’s ability to combat voter suppression and discrimination. Since the Shelby v. Holder decision, at least 23 states have enacted voter suppression laws, including voter purges, strict ID requirements, poll closures, and curtailing of early voting hours.

“Our democracy only works if all eligible citizens can vote and make their voices heard,” said Representative Sherrill. “This bill will strengthen voter protection laws and help ensure that every eligible voter in New Jersey, and across the nation, can participate in our democratic process. I am proud to be a co-sponsor and to join my colleagues in passing this critical legislation.”

The Voting Rights Advancement Act will strengthen voter protection laws by updating and restoring important elements of the VRA. Among its key provisions, the bill:

• Provides a new coverage formula that determines which jurisdictions are subject to preclearance, based on current conditions;
• Establishes “practice-based preclearance,” focusing administrative or judicial review narrowly on suspect practices that may have discriminatory intent or to have discriminatory effects, as demonstrated by a broad historical record.

The bill has the support of a wide range of nonpartisan organizations, including the American Association of University Women, League of Women Voters of the United States, National Education Association, NAACP, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights,  Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and Native American Rights Fund.

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