Rigell Supports Fair and Just Voting Rights for all Americans

Press Release

Congressman Scott Rigell (VA-02) recently cosponsored the Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2015 (VRAA), legislation which revises and restores sections of the Voting Rights Act that were struck down by the Supreme Court. The Voting Rights Act, which was made law in 1965, is designed to prohibit racial discrimination in voting, but in 2013 the Supreme Court ruled some of the Act antiquated. The VRAA updates the original law by creating a new coverage formula that requires the Department of Justice to preclear changes to state and local voting laws. This legislation maintains the goals of the Voting Rights Act and protects Americans' fundamental right to vote and a fair and just electoral process.

"The Voting Rights Act was one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation ever considered by Congress. Though it has been 50 years since its passage, this law remains as important today as it was in 1965," said Congressman Rigell. Noting that the Supreme Court ruled in the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder case that Section 4(b) violated the 10th Amendment of the Constitution, and is thereby unconstitutional, Rigell continued: "Congress now has a responsibility to amend this law in a way that will preserve and uphold its historic principles, while ensuring it remains compliant with the courts."

Rigell added: "I commend my colleagues, Mr. Sensenbrenner and Mr. Conyers, for their commitment to protecting the right to vote for all Americans."

"I just want to say "thank you" to Congressman Scott Rigell for standing on the right side of the Voter Rights Act," said Carl Wright, President of the Virginia Beach NAACP. "I know that he's looking to make sure that we all have a right to vote and we are not put in a position where our vote is suppressed. I just want to commend him on behalf of the Virginia Beach NAACP for standing up for ALL people when it comes to the Voter Rights Act, particularly the African American community who have been oppressed and discriminated against for so long when it comes to voting in America."

"I am pleased to see our U.S Rep. Scott Rigell leading by example in supporting the VRAA amendments," said Joe Dillard, President of the Norfolk NAACP. "The NAACP takes pride in advocating for voter rights that make it easier for all citizens to participate in the voting process which we each hold near and dear to our hearts."

BACKGROUND

In 1965, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act to address racial based voter suppression across the country. Section 5 of the Act required that the United States Department of Justice "preclear" any attempt to change "any voting qualification or prerequisite to voting, or standard, practice, or procedure with respect to voting..." in any "covered jurisdiction." A covered jurisdiction, or a jurisdiction that falls within the Section 4(b) coverage formula, which seeks to obtain Section 5 preclearance, must demonstrate that a proposed voting change does not have the purpose and will not have the effect of discriminating based on race or color.

President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law in August of 1965, and it has been reauthorized four times since. President George W. Bush signed the most recent reauthorization into law in 2006, after the House voted 390-33 and the Senate 98-0 in favor of the legislation. The voting Rights Amendment Act replaces Section 4(b) with a new, workable formula, which ensures that Section 5 is properly enforced.

Key provisions of the bill, courtesy of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations:

* Through a coverage provision based on current conditions, the bill establishes a rolling nationwide trigger that covers states or jurisdictions that have a persistent record of recent voting rights violations over the last 15 years.

* Allows our federal courts to bail-in the worst actors for preclearance. The current law permits states or jurisdictions to be bailed in for intentional violations, but the new legislation amends the Act to allow states or jurisdictions to be bailed in for results-based violations.

* Provides greater transparency in elections so that voters are made aware of changes. The additional sunlight will deter discrimination from occurring and protect voters from discrimination.

* Allows for preliminary relief to be obtained more readily, given that voting rights cannot often be vindicated after an election is already over.

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