H.R. 14 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on the Judiciary, Mar 5, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryJohn R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
This bill sets up new rules for when states and cities need approval before changing their voting systems. If a state has had multiple voting rights violations in the past 25 years, it would have to get permission from the Justice Department or a federal court before making changes like redistricting. The bill also requires states to tell the public about voting practice changes and gives the Justice Department power to request documents from states to enforce voting rights laws.
How it affects you
If you live in a state or city that meets the violation thresholds, voting changes in your area would need federal approval before taking effect, which could affect how election rules are made. Voters in all affected areas would be required to be notified about voting practice changes. The practical impact on individual voters depends on whether your state or locality is subject to these preclearance requirements.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 5, 2025)
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 14
A BILL
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL-7) · Introduced Mar 5, 2025 · Government Operations and Politics · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 5, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.”
Sections
Sections · 17
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2Vote dilution, denial, and abridgment claimsNo change
- Sec. 3RetrogressionNo change
- Sec. 4Violations triggering authority of court to retain jurisdictionNo change
- Sec. 5Criteria for coverage of States and political subdivisionsNo change
- Sec. 6Determination of States and Political Subdivisions Subject to Preclearance for Covered PracticesNo change
- Sec. 7Promoting transparency to enforce the Voting Rights ActNo change
- Sec. 8Authority to assign observersNo change
- Sec. 9Clarification of authority to seek reliefNo change
- Sec. 10Preventive reliefNo change
- Sec. 11Relief for violations of voting rights lawsNo change
- Sec. 12Enforcement of Voting Rights by Attorney GeneralNo change
- Sec. 13DefinitionsNo change
- Sec. 14Attorneys’ feesNo change
- Sec. 15Other technical and conforming amendmentsNo change
- Sec. 16SeverabilityNo change
- Sec. 17Grants to assist with notice requirements under the Voting Rights Act of 1965No change