Bill · S. 2523· Senate(119-S-2523)
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 7/29/2025
- Last activity
- 7/29/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S4821)
- Sponsored by
- Richard Durbin
- Cosponsors
- - 44 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 aims to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by revising the criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions are subject to Section 4 of the Act. It focuses on preventing vote dilution, denial, and abridgment, and promotes transparency in election-related changes. The bill also includes measures to protect election workers and polling places from interference and intimidation.
Yes· 3 of 30
Does this protect the right to vote?+10
This bill directly aims to strengthen and protect voting rights for all citizens.
Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice?+9
The bill focuses on preventing vote dilution and ensuring fair access to the ballot for all eligible voters.
Does this make elections run better?+9
The bill aims to improve the fairness and integrity of the electoral process by preventing discriminatory practices and promoting transparency.
The opposite
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-2
By increasing federal oversight, the bill may somewhat reduce the autonomy of states in administering elections.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Revised Criteria for Determining Subject States and Subdivisions (Sec. 104): This could ensure that states and political subdivisions with a history of voting rights violations are subject to federal oversight, potentially preventing future discriminatory practices.
- Practice-Based Preclearance (Sec. 105): Requires states and political subdivisions to obtain preclearance for certain changes to voting practices, particularly those that could negatively impact minority voters, ensuring that these changes do not discriminate.
- Transparency Regarding Changes to Protect Voting Rights (Sec. 106): Requires states and political subdivisions to provide public notice of any changes to voting qualifications or procedures, polling place resources, and demographic or electoral district information, promoting transparency and allowing voters to stay informed.
- Clarification of Authority to Seek Relief (Sec. 108): Empowers aggrieved persons and the Attorney General to institute actions against poll taxes and other violations of voting rights, providing more avenues for legal recourse.
- Preventive Relief (Sec. 109): Makes it easier for courts to grant preliminary relief in cases where voting rights are challenged, ensuring that potential violations are addressed promptly.
- Relief for Violations of Voting Rights Laws (Sec. 111): Expands the scope of what constitutes a prohibited act or practice related to voting and ensures that proximity to an election is not a valid reason to deny equitable relief, strengthening the protection of voting rights.
- Protection of Tabulated Votes (Sec. 112): Prohibits officials from failing to tabulate, count, or certify votes, ensuring that every eligible vote is properly counted.
- Enforcement of Voting Rights by Attorney General (Sec. 113): Authorizes the Attorney General to demand information from states and political subdivisions to enforce voting rights laws, providing a powerful tool for investigation and enforcement.
- Election Worker and Polling Place Protection (Sec. 202): Establishes penalties for anyone who interferes with or intimidates voters, poll watchers, or election officials, protecting the integrity of the electoral process.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Changes to Political Subdivision Boundaries (Sec. 105): While intended to prevent discrimination, some changes to political subdivision boundaries could inadvertently disenfranchise certain voters or communities if not implemented carefully.
- New List Maintenance Process (Sec. 105): Changes to voter registration list maintenance processes could lead to eligible voters being wrongly removed from the rolls, particularly if these changes have a disparate impact on minority groups.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For African Americans+8Good For Hispanic Americans+8Good For Native Americans+8Good For Asian Americans+7Good For Low Income Households+7Good For People With Disabilities+7Good For Middle Aged+5Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For Retirees+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Seniors+5Good For Students+5Good For Urban Residents+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Immigrants+4Good For Men+4Good For Women+4Good For Billionaires+3Good For Business Owners+3Good For High Income Households+3Good For High Net Worth Individuals+3Good For Ultra High Net Worth Individuals+3Good For White Americans+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Voting Rights+10Improves Voting Access+9Improves Racial Equity+8Improves Disability Rights+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Electoral Process+9Improves Government Transparency+7Increases Federal Power+3Increase States Rights-2
- 7/29/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S4821)
- 46 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Maggie HassanDemocrat · New Hampshire
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Christopher MurphyDemocrat · Connecticut
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan
John ReedDemocrat · Rhode Island
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Charles SchumerDemocrat · New York
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat · Michigan
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts