WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) announced the House passage of the Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4) to combat voter suppression and discrimination.
H.R. 4 aims to restore the full strength of Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, which was nullified by the Supreme Court’s 2013 ruling in Shelby v. Holder. A review by the House Judiciary Committee found that following the verdict of Shelby v. Holder, at least 23 states enacted newly restrictive voting laws, many of which marginalize people of color and language-minority communities. Examples of these laws include restrictions such as unfairly purging voter rolls, ending early voting hours, and moving or eliminating polling places.
“Voting is the cornerstone of our democratic system, and it is unacceptable that discriminatory efforts on the state-level prevent too many from exercising this fundamental right,” Congresswoman Elaine Luria said. “I will continue to support policies that safeguard ballot access to ensure that Coastal Virginians’ voices will be heard, and that their votes will be counted.”
The Voting Rights Advancement Act, which Congresswoman Luria cosponsored, would create a nationwide, practice-based preclearance for “known discriminatory practices.” These include the creation of at-large districts, inadequate multilingual voting materials, and cuts to polling places. This legislation would also increase transparency in elections by requiring a reasonable public notice for voting changes.
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I don’t understand why this act has even been re-written, or why these legislators spent any time on this. The Supreme Court said it had to disappear. So it was removed. Additionally, I never hear of any violations of the voting rights act, or any problems for voters within Ms. Luria’s district. Is this a perfect example of a legislator redesigning the pencil ?
She looks like she is doing anything and everything to get her name in the paper to counteract her shameful support of Impeaching the President of the United States. That won’t save her come next election. She has shown she is another party hack. Make her a one termer.