Summary: This article discusses the reintroduction of HR 14, known as the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, by Democratic senators Warnock, Durbin, and Schumer. This bill aims to give the Department of Justice (DOJ) the power to intervene in elections nationwide to challenge state and local election laws perceived to disadvantage minority voters. With these suggestions, this bill seeks to bypass the Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which limited federal oversight of state election laws. Critics argue that HR 14 would empower the DOJ to override state voting laws, particularly those regarding voter ID requirements, based on statistical disparities, and would effectively federalize elections. The article also highlights previous instances where the DOJ has challenged state election laws, often in collaboration with left-wing groups, and emphasizes the potential consequences of HR 14 for state sovereignty and election integrity. Additionally, it compares HR 14 to the broader-reaching HR 1, another Democratic-sponsored bill aimed at federalizing election laws.
Article: “Democrats’ Bill Would Give The DOJ Veto Power Over State And Local Election Laws”
Author(s): Brianna Lyman
Link: https://thefederalist.com/2024/03/07/democrats-bill-would-give-the-doj-veto-power-
over-state-and-local-election-laws/
