119th Congress Government Operations and Politics
S. 2523: John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025
Introduced
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- Passed House (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
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; or
- 10 or more violations occurred, at least 1 of which was committed by the state itself.
Read the full summary
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.
The bill also includes certain protections for election workers, polling places, and election infrastructure.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Angela Alsobrooks D-MDOriginal
- Tammy Baldwin D-WIOriginal
- Michael Bennet D-COOriginal
- Richard Blumenthal D-CTOriginal
- Cory Booker D-NJOriginal
- Lisa Blunt Rochester D-DEOriginal
- Maria Cantwell D-WAOriginal
- Christopher Coons D-DEOriginal
- Catherine Cortez Masto D-NVOriginal
- Tammy Duckworth D-ILOriginal
- John Fetterman D-PAOriginal
- Kirsten Gillibrand D-NYOriginal
- Ruben Gallego D-AZOriginal
- John Hickenlooper D-COOriginal
- Mazie Hirono D-HIOriginal
- Martin Heinrich D-NMOriginal
- Margaret Hassan D-NHOriginal
- Amy Klobuchar D-MNOriginal
- Mark Kelly D-AZOriginal
- Angus King I-MEOriginal
- Timothy Kaine D-VAOriginal
- Andy Kim D-NJOriginal
- Ben Luján D-NMOriginal
- Edward Markey D-MAOriginal
- Patty Murray D-WAOriginal
- Christopher Murphy D-CTOriginal
- Jeff Merkley D-OROriginal
- Jon Ossoff D-GAOriginal
- Alejandro Padilla D-CAOriginal
- Gary Peters D-MIOriginal
- John Reed D-RIOriginal
- Jacky Rosen D-NVOriginal
- Bernard Sanders I-VTOriginal
- Charles Schumer D-NYOriginal
- Adam Schiff D-CAOriginal
- Jeanne Shaheen D-NHOriginal
- Brian Schatz D-HIOriginal
- Tina Smith D-MNOriginal
- Elissa Slotkin D-MIOriginal
- Chris Van Hollen D-MDOriginal
- Ron Wyden D-OROriginal
- Raphael Warnock D-GAOriginal
- Peter Welch D-VTOriginal
- Sheldon Whitehouse D-RIOriginal
- Mark Warner D-VAOriginal
- Elizabeth Warren D-MAOriginal
Who scored on this bill
- 1Richard Durbin SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, reached a cosponsor milestone, introduced3 events+12
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Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
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History
- Introduced in the Senate by Richard Durbin.
Show the full action history (2 actions)
- Introduced in Senate
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S4821)